I was never a great reader, but there were two stories I loved best: Kipling's The Elephant's Child and The Jungle Book. Deep down, I've always wanted to write a book about a wild child and an elephant. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Elephants are my favourite creatures and have been since I was a boy and my mother read Kipling's The Elephant's Child to me. It was loving elephants so much that made we want to write my own story with an… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
There's a mouse in here with me. He's sitting there in the light of the lamp, looking up at me. He seems as surprised… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
“Father was always getting into scrapes when he was a lad. But the worst scrape he ever hot hisself into was the war, First… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
But I didn’t dare. That has always been my trouble. I’ve never dared enough. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like happy endings,… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
It gives me confidence to know that what I'm writing has a veracity of its own without me having to invent it. When I'm… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Live an interesting life. Meet people. Read a lot and widely, learn from the great writers — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
By the time I sit down and face the blank page I am raring to go. I tell it as if I'm talking to… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Encouraging young people to believe in themselves and find their own voice whether it's through writing, drama or art is so important in giving… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
With all editing, no matter how sensitive - and I've been very lucky here - I react sulkily at first, but then I settle… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
A lot of children, like I did, move away from words because of the fear - which is something you have to take out… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Blind terror drove me on, with my flying stirrups whipping me into a frenzy. With no rider to carry I reached the kneeling riflemen… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
“After this night is over, then you can drift away, they you can sleep for ever, for nothing will ever matter again.” — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
