Michael Morpurgo

TreeTops Greatest Stories offers children some of the worlds best-loved tales in a collection of timeless classics. Top children's authors and talented illustrators work together to bring to life our literary heritage for a new generation, engaging and delighting children. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children explore the content, supporting their reading development. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links and activities to support guided reading, writing, speaking and listening. This pack contains six books, one of each of the following titles:Mischief Makers, A Christmas Carol, Who Needs Stories?, Decisions, Decisions, Changing Shape and Peter and the Wolf.

Jo-Jo is a donkey and he does not like it, not one bit. He works hard from dawn until dusk selling melons on the streets of Venice. Then, one dark and stormy night, Jo-Jo discovers that it is up to him to save the city from the sea.

'A beautiful, thoughtful book that brims with joy' KATE MOSSE'Our master storyteller' JOANNA LUMLEYMichael Morpurgo is one of Britain's most beloved novelists, best known for enchanting children with his books like War Horse and Private Peaceful. Here, collected for the first time, are his thoughts on nature, childhood, writing, politics and getting older. Full of wonder, gentle humour and sharp observation, Funny Thing, Getting Older is a book to treasure.'Over the decades I have strayed more and more often from fiction into writing about the real world. Although you'll find much of my life in my stories, there comes a time to look my reader in the eye, and come clean about the great issues of our times. Now that I'm 80, it seemed the time to do it. In this book, for the first time, I've collected some of my favourite reflections. Some are deeply personal, some political, others in between. And woven in amongst them you will find a play, a poem or two, and even a few stories.'

A beautiful second volume of Shakespeare retellings, from the master storyteller. Featuring re-tellings of a further eight of Shakespeare’s plays, and beautifully written with Michael Morpurgo’s warm, accessible and inimitable style, this is the much-anticipated follow up to Michael Morpurgo's highly-acclaimed Tales from Shakespeare, with a brand new collection of re-tellings with stunning artwork from eight different illustrators. This wonderful collection offers a new generation of readers the chance to discover even more of the magic of Shakespeare – the perfect introduction to the Bard and an unmissable book for children. Stunningly illustrated throughout with contributions from eight different artists, and published in a beautiful hardback edition, More Tales from Shakespeare is a glorious tribute to both Shakespeare and Michael Morpurgo, making this the perfect companion to the first collection, and a wonderful gift. Complete the set today! Featuring: Julius Caesar, illustrated by Dapo Adeola Much Ado About Nothing, illustrated by Axel Scheffler Antony and Cleopatra, illustrated by Ed Vere As You Like It, illustrated by Emily Gravett Othello, illustrated by Moera Timon of Athens, illustrated by Tom de Freston The Merchant of Venice, illustrated by Alona Millgram Cymbeline, illustrated by Michael Foreman

Four wonderful stories from the world of nature written by master storyteller, Michael Morpurgo."You have to breathe the world in deep, and all its creatures too ... become part of it." Immerse yourself in the great outdoors and travel around the country in these four heart-warming modern fables. Join Michael, who spots a whale on the shores of the river Thames, Mrs Pettigrew in her railway carriage by the sea, Bonny who wishes to follow her dreams cycling along country lanes and a refugee named Ho who finds his voice working with horses in a Devon farmyard. These four nostalgic stories are thought-provoking, touching and inspiring and will linger in your mind, long after you turn the final page.

A richly illustrated gift picture book edition of Michael Morpurgo’s classic wartime story War Horse, which has been captivating audiences young and old for 40 years. This powerful book for younger readers tells the enduring story of a friendship between a boy and his horse amid the turmoil of the First World War. For 40 years, War Horse has been helping children understand conflict. As we move beyond centenary commemorations and continue to strive for peace across the world, it remains an important book for young readers learning about the past. Review for the novel: War Horse is a story of universal suffering for a universal audience by a writer who ‘has the happy knack of speaking to both child and adult readers’ – Guardian Michael Morpurgo has written more than one hundred books for children and won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children’s Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.0

A powerful, moving adventure inspired by the extraordinary true story of the French Drummer Boy of Waterloo, COBWEB is a stunning tale of courage and kindness – a book about humanity, animals, and the heartbreak of war, from a writer at the height of his powers. 'Thank goodness for Michael Morpurgo' ????? The Telegraph 'Moving, unique and utterly charming. This is why Michael Morpurgo is the nation's favourite storyteller' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear “They call me Cobweb. I’ll tell you why later. I may be a dog, but I know and understand a lot more than people think I do.” Britain. 1815. After years of loss and sacrifice, the end of the war with Napoleon is approaching. Cobweb knows nothing of the war – he loves being a young puppy and playing with his owner, Bethan, exploring the countryside and chasing rabbits. But when he is taken away from Bethan and sold, Cobweb must learn to become a Drover’s Dog – herding sheep and cattle for hundreds of miles on the long, treacherous journey to London. And after the Napoleonic wars finally come to an end with the Battle of Waterloo, Cobweb meets an unexpected stranger with an incredible tale to tell on his journey home …

Discover the beauty and wonder of trees in this stunningly illustrated collection of poetry and stories celebrating trees and what they mean to the world around us . . . Inspired by the woods around his home, the mighty forests that support our life on Earth, and the Ted Hughes poem which gives this book its title, My Heart Was a Tree is a celebration, and Sir Michael Morpurgo's love letter to trees.There are stories from an ancient olive remembering Odysseus and Penelope, and from a eucalyptus that gave shelter to a koala; from a piece of driftwood that was made into a chair, and from a tiny sapling carried by a refugee as a reminder of home.These are poems and stories that will amuse, move and energise families and readers of all ages to appreciate the beauty and wonder of trees.Yuval Zommer's beautiful, detailed illustrations bring the natural world to life, and make My Heart Was a Tree a book to pore over for hours and hours, discovering something new each time.

THE NO 4 SUNDAY TIMES AND NO 1 SATURDAY TIMES BESTSELLER A GUARDIAN AND TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2025MICHAEL MORPURGO'S FIRST BOOK OF ADULT NON-FICTION IN FORTY YEARS'A joyous meditation on the season of new beginnings' THE TIMES'Uplifting and enchanting. A celebration of life by our master story-teller.' JOANNA LUMLEY'Spring is a delight. His love and knowledge of the countryside are profound. We are all the richer for what he sees.' PHILIP PULLMANMichael Morpurgo has lived on a farm deep in rural Devon for more than forty years. In Spring, he observes the season unfold around him, as fragile new shoots emerge, buds turn to blossom and grey skies give way to blue. As the natural world shakes off a long winter, Michael watches lambs being born on the farm, delights in a fanfare of bluebells in the woods, and sings to the birds, dressed in his wellies and dressing gown. He shares small moments of joy found in the back garden, as well as more dramatic encounters with sparrowhawks, hares and otters. With new poems and reminiscences about childhood and springs gone by, this is an enchanting memoir of a season from one of the world's best-loved authors.'Full of vibrant colour and most of all, heart and soul.' CLARE BALDING'A book full of love for, and gentle humour about, the rural lifestyle amid the most cherished of seasons.' COUNTRYLIFE'A reflective read - a gentle nostalgic step back in time to his life and his observations about how some things change and others don't.' DAILY MIRROR

A poignant coming-of-age tale about a mountain-village girl and a bear - a tale of love, sacrifice and the challenge of making the right choices 'Incredibly poignant . . . An utter delight' LoveReading4Kids High in the mountains, in a tiny village, an abandoned bear cub is adopted by lonely orphan Roxanne.The two soon become best friends: inseparable and beloved by the whole village - until the arrival of a glamorous film crew who are looking for a dancing bear . . .

A warm and funny story for younger readers, about two foxes, a ghost and one of the biggest archaeological discoveries in living memory... 'A heartwarming tale for animal lovers and football fans alike' Guardian In a cosy den under a garden shed lives a family of foxes. They love to watch football, all foxes do. One day, they are surprised by a ghostly voice coming from deep underground. The stranger promises to grant the foxes their dearest wish if they only set him free.With their favourite football team on a losing streak, the foxes know exactly what to wish for. But can they trust the mysterious stranger?

An enchanting story told in three narratives – from a girl, a swallow and a young man – about love, family and the determination to follow your calling ‘Excellent’ The Times As Olly waits to hear from her brother, Matt, she watches the swallows preparing to leave for winter. Hero the swallow is about to embark on his long journey to Africa, not knowing the terrible dangers he will face on the way. And when Matt meets the children in the African orphanage – sick, injured and lonely – he knows he’s made the right decision, but he never could have dreamed of what might happen to him there …

A personal retelling of the true story of Joan of Arc, France’s saintly and heroic saviour from the fifteenth century, and her unwavering companion, a white sparrow. ‘A vivid retelling … moving and compelling’ Julia Eccleshare As war rages between France and England, the humble daughter of a peasant farmer faces the impossible: take charge of the French army and drive the English out. With unbelievable resolve – and Belami, a white sparrow who never deserts her – Joan returns to her people hope for the future. But while France may be saved, Joan herself faces persecution. Continuing to serve her God will take immense strength, and destiny may prove cruel…

A moving tale set during the Spanish Civil War, about the bond between a little boy and his bull, and their escape from a terrifying fate. ‘Once again, Morpurgo demonstrates his talent for stories of absolute clarity about big events’ Sunday Times Surrounded by animals on a farm in the Spanish countryside, Antonito’s life is simple but sublime. He and his calf, Paco are inseparable, and the future is an unknown possibility. That is until Antonito sees with his own eyes what happens to bulls in the bullring and resolves to escape with Paco to the hills. But Paco’s is not the only brutal fate they must run from. As civil war engulfs Spain, planes and soldiers arrive, and their bombs and guns may destroy Antonito’s whole world …