Michael Morpurgo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL
Morpurgo in 2002
Born	Michael Andrew Bridge (1943-10-05) 5 October 1943 (age 81) St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Occupation	Author poet playwright
Alma mater	King's College London
Notable works	War Horse, Why the Whales Came, Private Peaceful
Spouse	Clare Lane ​ (m. 1963)​
Children	3
Parents	Tony Van Bridge (father) Kippe Cammaerts (mother)

Sir Michael Morpurgo (born 5 October 1943) is a famous English writer. He is best known for his many children's books, like War Horse. His stories are often described as "magical." They often feature characters who are outsiders or who survive tough times. His books also show strong connections between people and nature. You might find his stories set in places like the Cornish coast or the trenches of World War I. Michael Morpurgo was the third Children's Laureate (a special award for children's writers) from 2003 to 2005. He is also the President of BookTrust, a charity that helps children read.

Michael Morpurgo's Early Life

Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943 in St Albans, England. His birth name was Michael Andrew Bridge. His parents, Tony Van Bridge and Kippe Cammaerts, were both actors. They met while acting together. Michael's mother's family included many artists, like actors, singers, and writers.

When Michael was born, his father was away at war. After the war, his parents divorced. His mother then married Jack Morpurgo. Michael and his brother took their stepfather's name. Michael's older brother, Pieter, later became a TV producer.

When Michael was very young, he and his brother were sent away from London to live in Northumberland for safety during the war. After they returned, they lived in London. Michael went to primary school there. Later, his family moved to Bradwell-on-Sea.

Boarding School Experiences

When Michael was seven, he was sent to a boarding school in Sussex. This school was very strict. Michael felt very unhappy there and even developed a stutter. His experiences at this school later inspired his book The Butterfly Lion. After six years, he moved to another school, King's School, where he felt much better.

Discovering His Father

Michael did not know who his biological father was until he was 19. His father had moved to Canada after the divorce. One day, Michael was watching a TV show with his mother. She saw his father acting in it and told Michael, "That's your father!" They met in person nine years later.

Joining and Leaving the Army

Michael's stepfather wanted him to join the army. So, Michael went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. But he quickly realized that being a soldier was not for him. He left after nine months. He later said that reading poems by World War I poets helped him decide to leave the army. These poems made him want to become a teacher and a writer who wrote about peace.

Becoming a Teacher

After leaving the army, Michael studied English, French, and Philosophy at King's College London. He then became a teacher at a primary school in Wickhambreaux, Kent. He loved teaching and found it magical. This is where he discovered his passion for writing.

Michael Morpurgo's Writing Career

Michael Morpurgo's journey into writing was inspired by other authors. He loved Poetry in the Making by Ted Hughes, The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico, and The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Ted Hughes became a close friend and helped Michael gain the confidence to write his most famous book, War Horse.

Michael Morpurgo's Books

Michael Morpurgo has written many books. Here are some of his well-known titles:

Books Made into Films and Plays

Many of Michael Morpurgo's books have been turned into films, plays, or TV shows.

• Friend or Foe (1981) and Private Peaceful (2012) were made into films.
• When the Whales Came (1989) was also made into a film and a stage play.
• My Friend Walter (1988) and Out of the Ashes (2001) became TV adaptations.

War Horse Adaptations

War Horse is one of Michael Morpurgo's most famous books. It has been adapted in many ways:

• It was made into a radio show.
• A very successful stage play opened in London in 2007. The play used amazing life-sized horse puppets. It was so popular that it ran for eight years in London. It was seen by millions of people around the world.
• In 2011, War Horse was made into a film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film was nominated for many awards.

Other film adaptations include Waiting for Anya (2020) and Kensuke's Kingdom (2023/2024).

Children's Laureate Role

Michael Morpurgo helped create the idea for the Children's Laureate award. This special role celebrates children's authors and promotes reading. He himself became the third Children's Laureate, serving from 2003 to 2005.

Awards for Michael Morpurgo's Books

Michael Morpurgo has won many awards for his books. Some of them include:

• 1995 Whitbread Children's Book Award for The Wreck of the Zanzibar
• 1996 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (Gold Award) for The Butterfly Lion
• 2000 Red House Children's Book Award for Kensuke's Kingdom
• 2004 Red House Children's Book Award for Private Peaceful
• 2005 Blue Peter Book of the Year Award for Private Peaceful
• 2011 Red House Children's Book Award for Shadow
• 2017 Red House Children's Book Award for An Eagle in the Snow

Michael Morpurgo's Personal Life

In 1963, when he was 19, Michael Morpurgo married Clare Lane. Her father was Allen Lane, who started Penguin Books. They met through Michael's stepfather. They have three children, all named after characters from Shakespeare's plays.

In 2017, Michael was diagnosed with a type of cancer, but he has since recovered.

Farms for City Children Charity

In 1976, Michael and his wife Clare started a charity called Farms for City Children. Their main goal was to give children from cities a chance to experience life in the countryside. Children spend a week on a farm, helping with farm work. This helps them learn about nature and where their food comes from.

The charity's first president was their good friend, the poet Ted Hughes. Since it started, about 85,000 children have visited the farms. The charity now has three farms in different parts of England and Wales. Michael Morpurgo often says that starting this charity is his greatest achievement.

Michael Morpurgo's Views

Michael Morpurgo has shared his thoughts on different topics:

• He believes that when we remember wars, we should honor those who died but never make war seem glorious. He suggests wearing both red and white poppies to remember peace.
• He supported Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom in 2014.
• He has spoken against government plans to expand certain types of schools, saying they can divide people.
• He has also shown his support for the European Union.

Awards and Special Roles

Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare were both given special awards for their work with young people in 1999. He was later made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006 for his contributions to literature. In 2018, he was made a Knight Bachelor, which means he can be called "Sir Michael Morpurgo," for his work in literature and charity.

He has also received honorary degrees from several universities. In 2015, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Devon, which is a special role in the county where he lives. He is also the President of BookTrust, a charity that encourages children to read.

See also

In Spanish: Michael Morpurgo para niños