Times of War Collection
A stunning paperback collection of classic Morpurgo novels set in World War I, World War II and the Afghanistan conflict.
Told in the voice of a young soldier, Private Peaceful follows twenty-four hours in his life at the front during WW I, capturing his memories as he looks back over his life. It’s both a love story and a deeply moving account of the horrors of the First World War.
In An Elephant in the Garden, Elizabeth’s father is fighting on the eastern front in WW II and her mother is working at Dresden zoo when the bombs start to fall. Their home destroyed, Elizabeth’s family must flee through the wintery landscape, avoiding the Russian troops who are drawing ever closer. It would be hard enough, without an elephant in tow…
Shadow is the story of Aman, a boy from Afghanistan fleeing the horror of war. A western dog shows up outside the caves where Aman lives with his mother. When they finally decide to make a bid for freedom, Shadow will not leave their side. The destinies of boy and dog are linked, always.
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Edinburgh Fringe – An Elephant in the Garden
About the show: Lizzie, her mother and an elephant from the zoo flee the Dresden firebombing in the Second World War. Escaping the Allies from the West – and the Russians from the East – this extraordinary trio of refugees meet: an RAF officer who has bailed out of his… Read More
Edinburgh Fringe – Private Peaceful
About the show: ‘Private Peaceful at the theatre is a moving experience that not only tells the story of a young soldier’s final day in World War One, but perhaps more importantly conveys the strength of human spirit’ (Michael Morpurgo). ‘The horrors of war and the joyfulness of life are… Read More
Michael at the memorial of Thomas Samuel Henry Peacefull
Michael Morpurgo’s novel Private Peaceful was partly inspired by the memorial of a young soldier that he saw in the Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres, Flanders. A few years after the book first published, Maxine Keeble was researching her family tree and thought that there might be a connection. She… Read More
An Elephant in the Garden at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer
A new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘An Elephant in the Garden’ is being shown at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer. 1945. Dresden, Germany. Lizzie, her mother – and an elephant from the zoo, flee the Allied fire-bombing in the end-game of the Second World War. Escaping the Allies’ advance from… Read More
Michael Morpurgo’s Unsung Heroes Book Tour Announced!
From 6th November, we will be sharing the reviews of three parent bloggers who have been reading some of Michael’s most moving stories set in war time: An Eagle in the Snow, A Medal for Leroy and Private Peaceful. All of the books were inspired by real life stories, events… Read More
An Elephant in the Garden | Stage Adaptation | Bristol
An Elephant in the Garden is now on stage! Michael Morpurgo’s gripping, funny novel is currently on a Spring tour, receiving rave reviews: “Beautiful storytelling in action…stunningly performed by Alison Reid” – The Guardian On the 13th and 14th April 2017, the show will be at The Performing Arts Centre… Read More
Private Peaceful | Pick Me Up Theatre
From 14 – 18 March 2017 a one-man stage adaptation of Private Peaceful will be performed at the John Cooper Studio Theatre, York. Private Peaceful tells the story of a young First World War soldier as he recalls his childhood memories while waiting for dawn on the Western Front. George Stagnell plays… Read More
‘To get some understanding of what it was like to be a soldier in the first world war, younger readers need Michael Morpurgo like no other.’
In the lead up to the centenary of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July, Julia Eccleshare of The Guardian has considered just why Michael Morpurgo’s writing is so important in helping children understand the realities of war. ‘…he makes it possible for contemporary children to understand better what… Read More
Reflect on the life of Private Peaceful in the classroom
Join Michael Morpurgo on the 24th of June to teach your class about life in WW1 before the centenary of the Battle of the Somme on July 1st Michael Morpurgo, in partnership with HarperCollins Children’s Books, is hosting a real-time digital event on the 24th of June to encourage children… Read More
Private Peaceful to premiere on BBC One
Private Peaceful, an adaptation of Michael’s beloved First World War novel, will air on Sunday 24th January at 11.30pm. The film will follow a screening of War Horse, another film based on Morpurgo’s work, the same weekend. Morpurgo has urged parents and young people to stay up and watch the adaptation,… Read More
Michael Morpurgo named the winner of the TSBA Junior Award 2015 for Private Peaceful
Pupils, librarians and teachers from 10 schools, gathered in the Main Hall at Latymer Upper School, to celebrate the inaugural Trinity Schools Book Awards. Students from 14 of the 22 schools in the Trinity Group of independent schools in the South East took part in the book awards this year. Read More
NYT Private Peaceful – Michael Morpurgo drops into rehearsals
A century on from the First World War, National Youth Theatre stage a stunning adaptation of Private Peaceful, based on the best-selling novel by Michael Morpurgo. Inspired by the many soldiers court-martialled and shot for cowardice during the Great War, this is Simon Reade’s rarely-performed ensemble version of the award-winning… Read More
How I adapted Private Peaceful for the stage and screen – in pictures
Simon Reade tells the story of how and why he turned Michael Morpurgo’s moving first world war novel about an ordinary young soldier into a stage play, a film and a radio play. It all started with a ‘Eureka moment’ in the bath… Read the full article at theguardian.com… Read More
Private Peaceful is Cityread children’s book
Launching on 31st March 2014, Cityread London will run throughout the entire month of April with events in every London borough. It was conceived to promote reading for pleasure, engage new library users and encourage people to explore and celebrate their city’s history. 2014 will also see, for the first… Read More
Private Peaceful Day launches with schools’ screenings
Michael Morpurgo will launch Private Peaceful Day on March 31 with a live Q&A via satellite following special screenings of the film for schools. In a major screening event for schools, 100 cinemas including Picturehouse & Cineworld, will show the film across the UK as part of the Centenary commemorations… Read More
Cast announced for Private Peaceful stage production!
Cast announced for Private Peaceful! The cast for the new, forthcoming tour of Michael Morpurgo’s hugely popular novel Private Peaceful has been announced! In this one-man show, the leading role of Private Tommo Peaceful will be shared by Paul Chequer and Andy Daniel. Paul has already played the role… Read More
Scamp Theatre & Fiery Angel present Private Peaceful
Casting is announced for the forthcoming tour of the celebrated stage production of Michael Morpurgo’s hugely popular children’s story, Private Peaceful. In this one-man show, the role of Private Tommo Peaceful will be shared by Paul Chequer and Andy Daniel. Paul played role of Tommo in the original production of… Read More
BBC School Radio – Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
A new abridgement of Michael Morpurgo’s moving World War 1 story Private Peaceful is to be broadcast by BBC School Radio in 13 episodes. During the passing hours of an all-night vigil Private Thomas Peaceful recalls the events of his young life his school days, family life in a… Read More
What Does Afghanistan Mean to You?
Michael Morpurgo will be speaking on 5th March at the Royal Geographical Society at an event called: What Does Afghanistan Mean to You? Tuesday, 5 March 2013 at 19:00, The Royal Geographical Society, Kensington, London. Other speakers include Rory Stewart, Christina Lamb, Major Richard Streatfield, Philip Hodson and Sarah Fane. Read More
Award-winning new book Shadow
This is the story of Aman, as told in his own words – a boy from Afghanistan fleeing the horror of the Afghan war. When a western dog shows up outside the caves where Aman lives with his mother, Aman is initially repulsed – it is not customary… Read More
Shadow is out now in paperback!
This is the story of Aman, as told in his own words – a boy from Afghanistan fleeing the horror of the Afghan war. When a western dog shows up outside the caves where Aman lives with his mother, Aman is initially repulsed – it is not customary for people… Read More
Shadow: Read a fantastic review on the Guardian Children’s Books
Read a fantastic review of Shadow on the Guardian Children’s Books site, written by kids for kids! “I didn’t want to stop reading in some parts because it was so good but in other bits I didn’t want to carry on reading because what was happening made me feel so… Read More