Michael Morpurgo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL
Morpurgo in 2009
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 Michael Andrew Bridge on 5 October 1943) is a famous English writer. He is best known for his amazing children's novels, like War Horse (1982). His stories often feature "magical storytelling."

Michael Morpurgo's books often have special themes. These include outsiders succeeding or characters surviving tough times. He also writes about how people connect with nature. His stories are set in vivid places, like the Cornish coast or the trenches of World War I. From 2003 to 2005, he was the third Children's Laureate. This is a special role for a children's writer or illustrator. He is also the President of BookTrust, a charity that helps children read.

Early Life of Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. His birth name was Michael Andrew Bridge. His parents, Tony Van Bridge and Kippe Cammaerts, were both actors. They met while acting together in 1938. His father came from a working-class family. His mother's family included actors, singers, and writers.

His parents got married in 1941. Michael's older brother, Pieter, was born in 1942. When Michael was born in 1943, his father was away at war. While his father was away, his mother met Jack Morpurgo. When Michael's father returned in 1946, his parents divorced. His mother then married Jack Morpurgo in 1947. Michael and his brother took their stepfather's last name. Michael's brother, Pieter Morpurgo, later became a TV producer.

Childhood Experiences and School

When Michael and his brother were very young, they were sent to Northumberland for safety. After they returned to London, they lived in Earl's Court. The children often played on old bomb sites. Michael went to primary school there.

Later, his family moved to Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex. Michael spent school holidays there. When he was seven, he was sent to a boarding school in Sussex. This school was very strict. Michael had a difficult time there and even developed a stutter. His unhappy experiences at boarding school later inspired his novel The Butterfly Lion. After six years, he went to King's School in Canterbury. He felt much happier at this school.

Later Life and Career Path

Michael Morpurgo did not know who his biological father was until he was 19. His father had moved to Canada after the divorce. Michael never saw a picture of him. One day, in 1962, he was watching a TV show with his mother. She saw his father acting in it and told Michael who he was. They met in person nine years later.

His stepfather wanted Michael to go into academics. He was disappointed when Michael did not follow that path. His stepfather thought Michael should 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 First World War poets helped him decide to leave the army. These poems made him want to become a teacher and a writer. He wanted to write books about war that showed a desire for peace.

Becoming a Teacher and Writer

After leaving the army, Michael Morpurgo studied at King's College London. He studied English, French, and Philosophy. He then became a teacher at Wickhambreaux Primary School in Canterbury. He also taught briefly at St. Faith's School in Cambridge in 1968.

It was while teaching that Michael found his true calling. He realized how much he loved storytelling. He saw the magic it created for his students. He also felt the magic for himself.

His writing career was inspired by other famous authors. These included Ted Hughes, Paul Gallico, and Ernest Hemingway. Ted Hughes became a close friend and mentor. Michael Morpurgo says Hughes helped him gain the confidence to write War Horse. This book became his most famous work.

Michael Morpurgo's Books

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

Books Adapted for Screen and Stage

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

• Gentle Giant became an opera in 2006.
• Friend or Foe (1981), Private Peaceful (2012), and When the Whales Came (1989) were made into films.
• My Friend Walter (1988), 'Purple Penguins' (2000), and Out of the Ashes (2001) were adapted for television.
• Rainbow Bear was turned into a musical and a ballet.

The Success of War Horse

War Horse is one of his most famous adaptations. It was made into a radio show and a hugely popular stage play. The play first opened in London in 2007. It featured amazing life-sized horse puppets. The play was so popular it ran for eight years in London. It was seen by millions of people around the world.

In 2011, War Horse was also made into a film by director Steven Spielberg. The film was nominated for many awards.

Other recent film adaptations include:

• Waiting for Anya (2020)
• Kensuke's Kingdom (2023/2024). This film tells the story of a young boy named Michael stranded on a desert island.

How His Books Are Received

Michael Morpurgo has sold over 35 million books worldwide. His book Kensuke's Kingdom (1999) is described as a quiet story with lots of drama and emotion. Private Peaceful (2003) is called a "humanizing and humane work."

Children's Laureate Role

Michael Morpurgo and poet Ted Hughes came up with the idea for the Children's Laureate role. This special position celebrates children's literature. Michael Morpurgo himself became the third Children's Laureate. He held the two-year role from 2003 to 2005.

Awards and Recognition

Michael Morpurgo has won many awards for his books.

Awards He Was Shortlisted For

• 1991 Carnegie Medal: Waiting for Anya
• 1995 Carnegie Medal: Arthur, High King of Britain
• 1996 Carnegie Medal: The Wreck of the Zanzibar
• 2003 Carnegie Medal: Private Peaceful
• 2004 Whitbread Children's Book Award: Private Peaceful
• 2014 Costa Children's Book Award: Listen to the Moon

Awards He Won

• 1993 Prix Sorcières (France): King of the Cloud Forests
• 1995 Whitbread Children's Book Award: The Wreck of the Zanzibar
• 1996 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (Gold Award): The Butterfly Lion
• 2000 Red House Children's Book Award: Kensuke's Kingdom
• 2004 Red House Children's Book Award: Private Peaceful
• 2005 Blue Peter Book of the Year Award: Private Peaceful
• 2008 California Young Reader Medal: Private Peaceful
• 2011 Red House Children's Book Award: Shadow
• 2017 Red House Children's Book Award: An Eagle in the Snow
• 2021 Chen Bochui Children's Literature Award (China) – best author

Personal Life

In 1963, when he was 19, Michael Morpurgo married Clare Lane. Clare is the daughter of Allen Lane, who started Penguin Books. They met in Greece the year before. They have three children, all named after characters from Shakespeare's plays.

Farms for City Children Charity

In 1976, Michael Morpurgo 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. The program lets children spend a week on a farm. During this time, they help with real farm work.

The charity's first president was their friend and neighbor, Ted Hughes. Since it began, about 85,000 children have taken part. The charity now has three farms in Wales, Devon, and Gloucestershire. Michael Morpurgo has said that starting this charity is his greatest achievement.

His Views on Important Topics

Michael Morpurgo has shared his thoughts on various issues:

• Remembering War: He believes we should honor those who died in war but never glorify war itself. He suggests wearing both the red poppy and the white poppy to remember soldiers and promote peace.
• Scottish Independence: In 2014, he was one of many public figures who hoped Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom.
• Education: In 2016, he spoke against plans to expand grammar schools. He felt these plans would divide students and were not a good idea.
• European Union: He has expressed his support for the European Union.

Honours and Special Appointments

Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare were both recognized for their work. They were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1999. This was for their services to young people. In 2006, he became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to literature. In 2018, he was made a Knight Bachelor for his work in literature and charity. This means he is now called "Sir Michael."

He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2004. He has also received honorary degrees from several universities, including the University of Suffolk (2012), Bishop Grosseteste University (2013), University of Chichester (2014), Newcastle University (2017), and University of Plymouth (2023). He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Devon in 2015.

Michael Morpurgo is also the President of BookTrust. This is the largest children's reading charity in the UK.

Radio and Television Appearances

Michael Morpurgo has been part of several radio and television programs:

• The Invention of Childhood (2006) on BBC Radio 4
• Set Our Children Free: the 2011 Richard Dimbleby Lecture on BBC One
• "Alone on a Wide Wide Sea": BBC Radio 2 (2017)

See also

In Spanish: Michael Morpurgo para niños