Author

Michael Morpurgo read English, French and Philosophy at King’s College, London. As a young man he was a teacher. With his wife Clare he founded the charity Farms for City Children. In 1999 they were awarded the MBE for their work together. In 1976 his first book was published and he went on to become the award-winning author of over 100 books for children, including War Horse, Private Peaceful, Farm Boy, Kensuke’s Kingdom, The Mozart Question, On Angel Wings, Running Wild, Born to Run, Shadow and Medal for Leroy. Many of his books have been made into films, including Friend or Foe, My Friend Walter and Why the Whales Came. From 2003-05 Michael Morpurgo was Children’s Laureate, in 2005 he was made Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government and in 2006 he was awarded an OBE for services to literature. In 2007 the National Theatre adapted his book War Horse for the stage. After two years the production moved to the New London Theatre in the West End. Steven Spielberg’s film of War Horse was released in 2011. The stage show opened in New York in April 2011, and in Toronto in February 2012; and there was US tour in July 2012. michaelmorpurgo.com