Such Stuff: A Story-maker's Inspiration

This insightful collection is the perfect gift for Michael Morpurgo fans who want to understand how writing works and where stories begin. Revealing essays from Michael about more than twenty of his most popular novels are combined with key extracts from his books along with historical context and illuminating background information from Michael's brother Mark. Stunning illustrations from Michael Foreman, photographs and facsimiles complete the immersive experience.

"From the first sentence of a Michael Morpurgo book, you know you are in the hands of a natural storyteller." -- The Guardian
This is totally absorbing - find out how one of our greatest storytellers gets his inspiration. This collection of essays gives a revealing insight into how writing works and where stories begin; it's a brilliant way to inspire children to write. […] This is a superb book which really takes the reader inside the author's mind, showing just how he came to write such great novels, and what inspired him. A brilliant classroom resource and a good read for any age. Parents in Touch
...I found it brilliant. This book has a good structure and is very interesting. [...] A must for Morpurgo fans. Junior News and Mail
fans 10+ will be fascinated to learn the stories behind the stories, in his own inimitable words. angels & urchins
“Throughout, Michael Foreman’s illustrations complement and enhance the writing. This book is well produced , easy to read and I cannot recommend it too highly to students and teachers.” SLA
Award-winning former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo gives all those who love his books a fascinating behind-the-scenes introduction to how he came to write twenty of them. While each story and the inspiration for it is very different, the simple and attractive format of the book makes a brilliant and coherent whole. Michael Foreman, who has illustrated so many of Michael Morpurgo’s books, has added wonderful new illustrations for his volume. An inspiring and invaluable book for all budding writers. - One of LoveReading's Books of the Year 2016 Julia Eccleshare. LoveReading

Michael Morpurgo has an unparalleled reputation as a children's storyteller. He was Children's Laureate from 2003 to 2005, has written over 100 books and is the winner of many awards, including the Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Smarties Book Prize, the Blue Peter Award and the Red House Children's Book Award. His books are translated and read around the world and his hugely popular novel War Horse is now both a critically acclaimed stage play and a highly successful film. Michael and his wife, Clare, live in Devon. Visit Michael's website at:

Michael Foreman is one of the world's leading illustrators. He has won several major awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. His titles for Walker Books include The Mozart Question, Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Mia's Story, Say Hello and A Child's Garden. He lives in South West London.

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