What is War Horse?

What is War Horse about?

War Horse tells the tale of a brave horse named Joey, who is sold to the British army during World War I. The story is told from the perspective of Joey and his various owners. It begins on a farm in Devon, England, where Joey is born and raised. However, when World War I breaks out, Joey is sold to the British army and sent to the front lines in France. He is passed from owner to owner, through the trenches of the Western Front, from the British army to the German army and back again. It’s a moving story that explores themes of war, loss, and the bond between humans and animals.

Who wrote War Horse?

War Horse was written by Sir Michael Morpurgo, one of Britain’s most popular children’s authors. As well as being a successful author, Morpurgo is a dedicated charity worker and family man. He has written over 130 books for different ages and interests and is known for his stories about animals and nature. War Horse is one of his most famous novels.

Morpurgo has won many awards for his writing and storytelling, including an MBE in 1999, Children’s Laureate from 2003-2005, and an OBE in 2006. In 2018, he was also awarded a knighthood for his services to literature and charity.

Before becoming an author, Morpurgo was a school teacher and particularly enjoyed reading to his learners. When he ran out of stories, he decided to write some of his own! So, in 1974, he wrote his first book ‘It Never Rains: Five Stories’. Since then he has written over 130 books that are adored by both children and adults alike!

Is War Horse a true story?

War Horse by Sir Michael Morpurgo is a fictional novel, but the book is based on true events and real-life accounts of the war. Morpurgo was inspired by stories of real horses that were used in World War I, as well as his own experiences of horses on his childhood farm.

Is War Horse a play?

As well as being a fantastic book, War Horse was also adapted into a well-loved stage play, which premiered in 2007 and has been performed around the world. Shortly after this, War Horse was adapted into a musical, premiering on London’s West End in 2009 and on Broadway in 2011. A film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg was also released in 2011. Most recently, War Horse has been made into an engaging picture book aimed at children aged 5 years and over. Beautifully illustrated, it really brings the story to life and makes it more accessible to younger readers.

What other books has Michael Morpurgo written?

Since writing ‘It Never Rains’, Morpurgo has written many more children’s stories. Here are just a few of his titles:

• Friend or Foe;

• The Butterfly Lion;

• Private Peaceful;

• An Elephant in the Garden;

• The Nine Lives of Montezuma;

• A Medal for Leroy;

• Born to Run.

If you enjoyed War Horse, you’re sure to also love the sequel, Farm Boy. This follows Joey’s life after the war as he returns to his farm in Devon and reunites with his original owner. It’s a heartwarming tale of the family bonds between grandfather and grandson, and farm and farmer. You can support young readers in enjoying this novel with our Michael Morpurgo ‘Farm Boy’ Activity Pack. Aimed at learners aged between 7 and 11 years old, it’s full of fun activities to develop children’s understanding of the story and enhance their literacy skills.

When is Michael Morpurgo Month?

Michael Morpurgo Month will be kicking off on February 1st 2023. This is a fun-filled month to celebrate and enjoy the many stories written by Morpurgo over the years. This year’s theme is all about horses so this is the perfect time to pick up War Horse and give it a read. And if it’s already one of your favourites? Then reignite your love for it by re-reading this February!

Although War Horse is arguably Morpurgo’s most famous novel about horses, he has written many more, lesser-known titles that involve these majestic animals. Some of these include Listen to the Moon, Barney the Horse, and Kensuke's Kingdom.

Reading Michael Morpurgo stories with your little ones…

Are you diving head first into Michael Morpurgo’s library of titles this February? Or perhaps you’d simply like to learn more about this wonderful author. Either way, we’re here to help! We’ve teamed up with book publisher Harper Collins to bring you a plethora of engaging Michael Morpurgo activities to enjoy both in school and at home.

Why not get started with our Michael Morpurgo Book Review? This handy template encourages children to analyse what they’ve read and form an opinion about the story. It includes ​​thought-provoking questions to prompt children’s writing, along with stars for readers to rate the book.

You can also take a look at our Michael Morpurgo Book Discussion Guide. Talking about books is a great way to enhance learners’ children’s comprehension skills. With this guide, children will have the opportunity to discuss six different Michael Morpurgo books. Simply download to get started!