Kensuke's Kingdom

Sir Michael Morpurgo, an English author and former Children’s Laureate of Great Britain, is renowned for his ability to weave tales that capture the complexities of human relationships and historical settings. The prolific writer has penned more than 150 books for children. Morpurgo was born in 1943, and his family was evacuated from their home county of Hertfordshire to escape the bombings during World War II. Many of his stories examine war and its effects. His most celebrated work, War Horse (1982), is a middle-grade historical fiction novel told from the perspective of a young horse named Joey. The story takes place during World War I and has been praised as “a story of universal suffering for a universal audience” (“War Horse,” Michael Morpurgo, 2025). In 2007, Nick Stafford adapted the novel into a critically acclaimed play that won the Olivier Award, the Evening Standard Theatre Award, and the London Critic’s Circle Theatre Award for design. Steven Spielberg adapted the novel into a film, which was named the Film of the Year at the 2011 American Film Institute Awards and nominated for five Academy Awards. 

Like Kensuke’s Kingdom, War Horse explores the life-changing power of friendship and the devastating impact of war. Throughout his distinguished writing career, Morpurgo has received many honors, including the Smarties Award, the Whitbread Award, the Blue Peter Book Award, the Circle of Gold Award, and the Children’s Book Award. In addition, Waiting for Anya (1991), Arthur, High King of Britain (1995), The Wreck of the Zanzibar (1996), and Private Peaceful (2003) have been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal. Morpurgo was knighted in 2018 for his services to literature and charity, and he served as Children’s Laureate from 2003 to 2005.