Michael Morpurgo

Blue Bananas are fresh and imaginative stories by top children's authors and illustrators for beginner readers. KS 1/2.

An entrancing, magical tale about the discovery of confidence. Fully illustrated in colour, with speech bubbles for sharing, Blue Bananas are simple, lively stories for early readers.

Ancient Aesop swings into the twenty-first century in this bright new collection of twenty-one favorite fables. Here are all the classic tales: the greedy dog who loses his bone to his own reflection in the water; the little mouse who pays back the grand lion in a big, big way; and the shepherd's son who thinks it's a good joke to cry "Wolf " just to see the villagers come running. And, of course, there's that arrogant hare and his racing partner, the slow but steady tortoise. Michael Morpurgo's lively language gives each tale a fresh feel that's perfect for reading aloud and sharing. Emma Chichester Clark's radiant illustrations are bursting with bold colors and cheerful characters. Together they have created a modern classic brimming with fun, which children will enjoy reading and laughing over again and again.

The renowned children’s writer Michael Morpurgo has written this vivid account of a child’s stay at a farm, told in the form of letters home and illustrated with photographs of animals and children on location at the farm. Humorous and engaging, it conveys the fun and excitement of working closely with animals. Turquoise/ Band 7 books offer literay language and extended descriptions, with longer sentences and a wide range of unfamiliar terms.Text type – A recount of a visit.There is a timetable of the week’s events on page 22 and an index on page 23 to help children recount the story.Curriculum links -Geography: Plants and animals in the local environment; Citizenship: Animals and us.This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. He can't find food, he can't find water. In the end he curls up to die. When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He is not alone

Told in the voice of a young soldier, the story follows 24 hours in his life at the front during World War I, and captures his memories as he looks back over his life. Full of detail and engrossing atmosphere, the book leads to a dramatic and moving conclusion.

But when at last Robbie finds a place where he can peacefully make his home, he knows in his heart that the wolf must find his own natural home too .

An enchanting story for children as tales of magic come to life in Wales. Reissue with new cover design.

Michael Morpurgo's inspiring new story of Robbie, a boy in a coma - victim of a car accident. Locked inside his own head, able to hear but not move or speak, Robbie tries to keep himself from slipping ever deeper into unconsciousness.

When Antonito learns of the horrors of the bullfight he flees with the black bull called Paco. In the hills they witness the bombing of their village. This is a moving and nostaligc story set in 1936, around the the Spanish Civil War.

The warmly told story of a boy who is surprised to find himself at home within the comfortable rough and tumble of a family, after a difficult upbringing in state care and foster homes. Reissue.

Brings themes of the war, school and family together in the story of a boy who runs away to discover he's best loved back at home. Reissue.

Sold to a drunken farmer, Joey, a beautiful red-bay foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, finds a friend in the farmer's son, Albert. His father brutally demands Joey work or be sold, so Albert gently trains him to pull the plough. But it's not enough. When war breaks out, Albert's father, needy for money for his struggling farm, sells Joey to the army, where he, like the soldiers around him, must try to cope with the horrors of the First World War. Joey and another thoroughbred horse, Topthorn, lead in a terrible cavalry charge towards the machine guns of the enemy's lines. Joey is captured by the Germans and for while he is lovingly cared for by Emilie, a young French girl and her grandfather. But he and Topthorn must pull a heavy gun, battling through the mud until Topthorn dies of exhaustion. Joey wanders in no man's land, back towards the British trench, but despite a joyful reunion with Albert, Joey is not out of danger. First tetanus threatens his life, and even then Emilie's grandfather has to bid to save him from the butcher. The old man promised his granddaughter when she died he would find the horse she loved and buy him, but recognising Albert's love for Joey, he sells Joey back to Albert on condition he will love for him all his life - for the princely sum of one English penny.

'The Sleeping Sword' tackles powerful themes of a boy coming to terms with sudden blindness, but learning courage and survival through his imagination and love of storytelling. After 'Arthur, High King of Britain', the compelling legends of King Arthur and Excalibur bring a timeless fascination to this story, captivating for young and old, boy and girl readers alike.

A beautifully told story of how a courageous little girl overcomes bullying.

A page-turning adventure about a boy, fleeing for his life, forming a relationship with the mythical Tibetan yetis and miraculously surviving winter in the Himalayas. Reissue.

Olly's brother Matt wants to go and work with children who have been made orphans, through war, in Africa. He wants to be a clown and make them laugh. His mother and sister want him to stay in England and go to university. The siblings' story is interwoven with the journey by Hero, the swallow.

A warm story that highlights how much different generations within a family can have to offer each other. The author has a special insight into his theme because, like the father in the story, he did not meet his real father until adulthood. Reissue.

A boy living by a Scottish loch sees a beautiful silver swan land on the water. When snowy winter sets in, all the birds and animals around the loch must scavenge desperately for food.