A D-Day Story: Finding Alfie

A D-Day Story: Finding Alfie by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman HB ISBN 9781761646294

This book, which looks so much like a picture book, is an illustrated memoir by the author. 

On the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Morpurgo tells a new story about this milestone moment in British history. His Aunty Iris always treasured her small painting of a boat, which her close friend Alfie had painted many years before. Her nephew, Michael, is inspired to discover what happened to Alfie in World War II. He embarks on a journey that takes him across the Channel into France, learning a profound lesson about service and the surprising power of memory.

With muted sepia illustrations by Michael Foreman, this picture book is perfect for the whole family to share and remember. This is a pictorial commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion created by two legends of British children's books, Michael Morpurgo (War Horse, Private Peaceful) and Michael Foreman (War Boy) developed in partnership with the Royal British Legion

At the end of the book, Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance, Royal British Legion, addresses the reader about war-related stories including how the British Expeditionary Force was sent to France to try and stop further Nazi advances in the west. She also writes about the 'Miracle of Dunkirk' in which Sea Quest, the boat on which Alfie travels to France, is involved. There are numerous black and white photographs taken during this historical time. There's also biographical notes about the book's author and illustrator, and a double-page spread of red poppies.

 The book would suit a reader aged 7 to 11 years.

War Horse

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (Egmont UK)

ISBN 978-1-4052-7188-2

PB $14.95 RRP

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

First published in 1982, this special edition of War Horse has been reprinted for the centenary of World War one, with a new introduction by the author. The book was already well known, being the basis of the 2011 Stephen Spielberg movie (nominated for several Oscars and BAFTAs) and a highly acclaimed international stage show. War Horse is a story for children aged 10+ about a horse who goes to war, told from the unique perspective of the horse.  

The story starts off on a farm in Devon where a young horse is bought home to fifteen year old Albert, by his drunken father. There is an immediate bond between Albert and Joey, as he calls the horse, which develops into an unbreakable  friendship. However when war breaks out, Albert's father sells Joey to the army and he is shipped off to the trenches in France. Albert is broken hearted but vows to find his horse again when he is old enough to enlist.

In France, Joey sees battle, injury, death and finds friends on both sides of the trenches. He pulls carts of wounded soldiers and ends up in No Man's Land, where the soldiers stop fighting so he can be rescued. Being a horse, Joey has the ability to understand people no matter whether they are English, French or German, so transcends language barriers. Although in parts a very sad story, eventually Joey is reunited with Albert and the book does have a heart-warming ending.

Through the very effective character of Joey, the concepts and hard truths of war are explored in an adventure type story. The writing has some denser passages and longer words, which may not suit all young readers, but this style fits in with the historical tone. A highlight of this war story is that it is told from such a neutral perspective, which could be an important reason for its continued popularity.  Over a million copies of War Horse have sold since 2007. 

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark (Walker Books)
PB $17.95
ISBN 9781406345193
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This is a retelling of the classic tale from the 13th Century of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, which was also a poem by Robert Browning in children’s readers long ago. The production of the book is outstanding and the story is told in Michael Morpurgo’s brilliant first person narrative style, through the voice of the crippled boy that was left behind.

For those that don’t know the story, they must introduce themselves to it through this outstanding book, then read Browning’s poem! It will be an experience. The moral to this tale is that parents and children should always keep their promises and if you call the tune, to remember to pay the piper.

The illustrations by Emma Chichester Clarke beautifully complement Morpurgo’s text. The wide-eyed look on all the children’s faces, the way they blindly follow the Piper, his mysterious expression that speaks a thousand words, the anger in the villagers’ faces, the pompous looks of the Mayor. All this is tied with a bow and presented to the reader as a glorious gift of learning and entertainment to both readers of all ages.

There is a difference between this interpretation and Browning’s poem. But that will remain for the reader to discover.

Meeting Cezanne

Meeting Cezanne by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Francois Place (Walker Books)
HC RRP $19.95
ISBN 9781406313796
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Yannick is sent to his Aunt Mathilde in Provence when his mother becomes ill. She’d prepared him by repeatedly showing him a book of Cezanne’s paintings, and by telling him everything about Uncle Bruno, his cousin Amandine, and the village inn where they worked.

But first love strikes when he meets his older and beautiful cousin. Amandine is at once bossy and alternatively ignores him. But Uncle Bruno takes him under his wing and teaches him to cook and bake.

But it is when a painter leaves a drawing on the tablecloth as a reward for Yannick’s wonderful crème brulee that things go awry. Unknowing, Yannick throws it into the fire and must then make restitution by replacing it with another. But which artist does he go to and who is the man who draws the new picture for Yannick?

A beautiful told tale of first love and awakenings, of surprises and lessons learnt, with the artistic setting of Provence as background and the excellence of Michael Morpurgo’s fluid prose. Francois Place’s delicate illustrations complement the text beautifully by bringing the characters and setting to life.

Homecoming

Homecoming by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Peter Bailey (Walker Books)
PB RRP 14.95
ISBN 9781406341072
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Mrs Pettigrew is a loner who lived in a railway carriage by the sea wall. She knows all the birds of the air that nest in the surrounding marsh and their calls, and which animals inhabit the sea ahead and the marsh areas. This story is about her unconventional life, her fierce bond with the surrounding natural world, and a boy called Michael.

Michael returns to the place of his past to revisit his memories and is flooded with the remembrance of all the people and the happenings both good and bad, of a youth made richer by having known Mrs Pettigrew. He is confronted by the monstrosity that is the closed atomic power station, a permanent reminder of what was lost in the name of progress. He remembers the impassioned speech given by the usually silent Mrs Pettigrew on the disaster that awaited the town should they consent to the power station being built.

Michael recalls the cheers of support first given in the hall, and how at the end only his mother was left standing with Mrs Pettigrew holding the banner of protest against the power station. He sadly brings to mind the unexpected climax that separated all that was with all that was to be. These memories, especially those associated with Miss Pettigrew and what she stood for, are all recalled in exquisite and superbly moving prose.

This tender recollection of memories is juxtaposed with the lies and deceit marketed as progress that ultimately ends in environmental destruction. Morpurgo’s challenging themes together with the outstanding illustrations by Peter Bailey in double-page spreads complement the important messages in this book.

Kensuke’s Kingdom

Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4052-4856-3

Reviewed by Lillian Rodrigues-Pang

I picked this book for the title – Kensuke’s Kingdom. I gravitate towards Asian titles/influences and in general it has paid off, think Samurai Kids and Dragon Keeper recently. Kensuke’s Kingdom turned out to be a wonderful, enthralling read that I could not put down. This book is at the top of the highly recommended list. In fact I am looking forward to reading it again – a bit slower this time – if only I could get it back off my children!

I will make a full admission of my ignorance here - when I picked up this book I had no idea of its history. Michael Morpurgo has written over 40 books 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. This is one of Michael Morpurgo’s best selling books and I can see why. It is brilliant.

This book is a page turning adventure. Michael is an 11-year-old boy who gets lost at sea with his dog. They are rescued by a mysterious Japanese elder and live together on an island amongst the Orangutans and Gibbons. This book has all the makings of a grand tale of adventure – a boy, his dog, a near deserted island, forests, wilderness, mosquitoes that eat Michael alive, a desperate search for water/survival, loneliness and friendship.

This is a re-release of Kensuke’s Kingdom including full colour artwork by the original illustrator, Michael Foreman. The colour and graphics do add to the story. They are gentle, well placed illustrations that add to the feel and beauty of the story.

Only read this book if you have a day free, as you will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend Kensuke’s Kingdom.