The Best of Times
by
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Prince Frederico and Princess Serafina are married and should live happily ever after, but the Princess becomes sad. She stops talking, eating and soon goes into a decline. Christmas is approaching but the Princess may die of sadness before New Year.
The Prince rides out on his horse, full of grief and desperation. He meets a group of travelling puppeteers and tells them his sad tale.
The Prince invites entertainers to the palace to cheer up the Princess. The puppeteers come too and perform the greatest story – the Christmas Nativity story.
The Princess is moved to tears and then to laughter – she recovers and the puppeteers do not ask for a reward.
A seasonal fairy tale in a small book, excellently illustrated.
Publisher: Egmont
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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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