Mister Skip
by
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Griff
In this modern fantasy/fairytale Jackie and her mum live on an estate surrounded by tower blocks, but dream of a better life in the countryside.
Although Jackie looks after Gran's tatty old donkey, Barnaby, she longs to have her own horse like the local boys.
When she finds an old broken gnome in a skip, and lovingly restores him as a birthday present for her mum, her fortunes start to change. Naming the the gnome Mr. Skip, Jackie confides her fears, hopes and dreams to him - and is stunned when one day he replies!
Mr. Skip has a way of making things happen, and soon the lives of Jackie and her family are transformed beyond their wildest dreams. Short chapters and delightful illustrations make this book an ideal choice for newly confident readers.
Publisher: Collins Children's Books
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Michael Morpurgo
Children's Laureate 2003-2005
Award-winning children's writer Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. He is the author of many award-winning books for children, including Kensuke's Kingdom, My Friend Walter and Private Peaceful. Many of his books have been successfully adapted for the stage or for film and television including War Horse and Private Peaceful (due to be released in 2012)
As well as writing, Michael runs the charity Farms for City Children with his wife Claire. In 2003 he became the third Children's Laureate (2003-2005), taking on a role he helped to establish together with the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes. During his time as laureate he toured extensively, concentrating on sharing the power of stories.
(Credit Richard Cannon)
Reading Age: 8+
Interest level: 7+
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