10 Facts about Michael Morpurgo

Michael was born on 5th October 1943 in St Albans, Hertfordshire, two

years before the end of the Second World War and he was sent as an
evacuee to Cumberland with his brother until the war was over.

Michael loved French at school and he went on to study this subject at
university.

Michael Morpurgo worked as a school teacher for many years, he began
to tell his own stories to his class and his Headteacher sent the stories to
a publisher and they were successful.

He has written over 100 books. Private Peaceful was his 100th title.


He married Clare Lane, the daughter of the founder of Penguin Books and
he has three children named Sebastian, Rosalind and Horatio.

His favourite animals are elephants and he likes eating prawns.


He likes listening to Mozart, but he can only write in a silent room.


Michael set up the Farms for City Children project with his wife, Clare. It
gives deprived urban children a chance to work on a farm and enjoy the
benefits of being outdoors in the countryside. They have three farms in
Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire.


Michael was given an OBE in 2006 and in 2003 he became the Childrens
Laureate, becoming the third person to fulfill the role.

His favourite book is The Man who planted Trees, by Jean Giono.