[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fhiE6HbUAkMM5PDbmFGdydxP4-rOmjjI9aB36qhiXB3E":3,"$fykBHk3IcMvxjz0eB6dj549IsXQJ_NNwnKRi5nwM567Y":26},{"author":4,"tags":13},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":10,"slug":11,"image_url":12},11275,"Michael Morpurgo","M",144,"Michael Morpurgo was born on 5 October 1943 in London, a British subject who would go on to work across an unusually wide range of literary forms. Educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and King's College London, he worked for a period as a primary school teacher before committing fully to writing in English for young readers and beyond.\n\nHis career as a novelist, children's writer, poet, playwright, and librettist has produced work in several modes, with his 1982 novel War Horse standing as his most noted achievement. The range of honours he has received reflects the breadth of his output: he holds a Knight Bachelor, an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, alongside a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Literature and an honorary doctorate. He served as Children's Laureate, and has received the Children's Book Award, the Nestlé Children's Book Prize, the Eleanor Farjeon Award, the Premio Bernard Versele, the Prix Janusz Korczak de Littérature Jeunesse, and the Hampshire Book Awards.\n\nMorpurgo remains an active figure in British literary life, continuing to write across genres for young adult and younger audiences. His work in English spans novels, verse, and the stage, with War Horse the work most durably associated with his name.","Michael Morpurgo was born on 5 October 1943 in London, a British subject who would go on to work across an unusually wide range of literary forms. Educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and King's College London, he worked for a period as a primary school teacher before committing fully to writing in English for young readers and beyond.","michael-morpurgo",null,[14,18,22],{"tag_id":15,"tag_name":16,"tag_count":17},382,"children",8,{"tag_id":19,"tag_name":20,"tag_count":21},56,"thinking",6,{"tag_id":23,"tag_name":24,"tag_count":25},496,"war",5,{"quotes":27,"pagination":94},[28,36,44,51,57,63,69,75,82,88],{"id":29,"quote_text":30,"author_id":5,"source_id":31,"has_image":32,"author":33,"source":34,"quote_tag":35,"commentary":12},3835057,"We all know that the great memories of our childhood are the little triumphs - it doesn't really matter whether that was in writing, art, on the hockey field or on the football field. It's something that makes you feel - 'I can do this stuff.'",7,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],{"id":37,"quote_text":38,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":39,"author":40,"source":41,"quote_tag":42,"commentary":43},3285789,"Perhaps it is partly that we need to love books ourselves as parents, grandparents and teachers in order to pass on that passion for stories to our children. It’s not about testing and reading schemes, but about loving stories and passing on that passion to our children.",true,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],"**The Backstory**\n\nMichael Morpurgo, a renowned British novelist and former Children's Laureate, penned these words in his 2016 book \"A Single Crystal: The Story Behind the Book.\" At that time, he was reflecting on the importance of instilling a love for reading in children. Morpurgo has dedicated his life to exploring the transformative power of stories, having written extensively on themes such as war, loss, and social justice.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nWhat lies beneath the surface is a subtle yet significant critique of the education system's emphasis on measurable outcomes over passion-driven learning. The quote highlights the tension between standardized testing and curriculum requirements versus fostering genuine love for reading in children. Morpurgo suggests that educators often prioritize methodical reading schemes over cultivating an authentic affection for stories, which can lead to disengagement and a lifelong aversion to reading.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, consider shifting your approach from solely teaching reading skills to nurturing a genuine enthusiasm for storytelling in children. By prioritizing the love of stories over standardized testing and curriculum requirements, you can create an environment where young readers feel empowered to explore their passions without fear of judgment or failure.",{"id":45,"quote_text":46,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":39,"author":47,"source":48,"quote_tag":49,"commentary":50},3285786,"I think there’s something about studying a book which will kill it if you’re not careful.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],"**The Backstory**\n\nThis quote is likely from an interview or a speech by Michael Morpurgo, reflecting his perspective as a renowned author and storyteller. Born in 1943, Morpurgo has experienced the tumultuous era of war and social change, which may have influenced his views on creativity and inspiration.\n\nAs a historian, I note that this quote resonates with the Romantic movement's emphasis on the importance of direct experience and immersion in nature for artistic expression. However, Morpurgo's statement adds a layer of complexity by suggesting that even well-intentioned study can be detrimental to one's creative spark.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nMorpurgo is not warning against intellectual curiosity or research itself but rather cautioning against the potential for over-analytical thinking to \"kill\" the creative process. He implies that excessive focus on understanding and dissecting a subject can lead to an overly rational, detached approach that stifles imagination and innovation.\n\nThis paradox highlights the tension between the need for knowledge and the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and curiosity. In essence, Morpurgo suggests that there is a fine line between preparation and over-preparation, which can ultimately stifle creative potential.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, professionals and creatives should strive for a balance between informed research and intuitive exploration. When approaching a new project or idea, allocate time for both deliberate study and unstructured brainstorming sessions to ensure that the spark of creativity remains intact.",{"id":52,"quote_text":53,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":32,"author":54,"source":55,"quote_tag":56,"commentary":12},3285784,"But look after yourself – there will be great dangers on the way. Remember, the right road is never the easy road.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],{"id":58,"quote_text":59,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":32,"author":60,"source":61,"quote_tag":62,"commentary":12},3285780,"Why does this war have to destroy anything and everything that’s fine and beautiful?",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],{"id":64,"quote_text":65,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":32,"author":66,"source":67,"quote_tag":68,"commentary":12},3285776,"I have no pity for them, but no hatred either.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],{"id":70,"quote_text":71,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":32,"author":72,"source":73,"quote_tag":74,"commentary":12},3285772,"Charlie often told me we were living on borrowed time out here. I don’t want to borrow any more time. I want time to stop so that tomorrow never comes, so that dawn will never happen.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],{"id":76,"quote_text":77,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":32,"author":78,"source":79,"quote_tag":80,"commentary":81},3285767,"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 to see me as I am to see him. There he goes. I can hear him still, scurrying about somewhere under the hayrick. I think he’s gone now. I hope he comes back. I miss him already.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis poignant passage is from Michael Morpurgo's novel \"The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips\". The story is set during World War II, a time when the author himself was a child, evacuated from London due to the Blitz. This quote captures a moment of tender introspection amidst the chaos and fear of war.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nOn the surface, this passage appears to be a whimsical observation about a mouse's presence. However, it reveals the complex interplay between human connection, solitude, and the fleeting nature of life. The narrator's longing for the mouse's return highlights the deep-seated human need for companionship, even in moments of isolation.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, acknowledge that meaningful connections can arise from unexpected sources, including those you may initially perceive as insignificant or ephemeral. By cultivating a sense of wonder and openness towards these fleeting encounters, you can foster resilience and creativity in the face of uncertainty.",{"id":83,"quote_text":84,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":32,"author":85,"source":86,"quote_tag":87,"commentary":12},3285765,"I was brought up, as a lot of kids are, on ‘Aesop’s Fables,’ ‘Brothers Grimm,’ ‘La Fontaine,’ all those sorts of things. Hans Christian Andersen is a hero of mine.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],{"id":89,"quote_text":90,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":32,"author":91,"source":92,"quote_tag":93,"commentary":12},3285761,"That’s what sailing is, a dance, and your partner is the sea. And with the sea you never take liberties. You ask her, you don’t tell her. You have to remember always that she’s the leader, not you. You and your boat are dancing to her tune.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[],{"currentPage":95,"totalPages":96,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":97},1,15,10]