book cover

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

by Sir Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark

Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+

Published by Walker Books, 2011

  • Classics
  • Picture books

About this book

Morpurgo elaborates on the traditional 13th-century tale of the Pied Piper who is denied payment for ridding the corrupt and uncaring citizens of Hamelin of a plague of rats. In retaliation he lures all the children into a cave in the mountains through his hypnotic piping.

This version is seen through the eyes of the disabled boy who escapes, and Morpurgo has the Piper instruct the boy that if in a year the town is cleaned up, and the poor cared for, he will release the children.

Clark follows in an illustrious tradition of Pied Piper illustration, creating a 19th-century setting, the text bordered by Victorian motifs and interspersed by full picture spreads. Together they offer a 21st-century classic.

About the author

Sir Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain's best-loved writers for children. He has written over 100 books and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, Blue Peter Book Award and the Whitbread Award. His recent bestselling novels include Listen to the Moon, A Medal for Leroy and Shadow. His novel War Horse has been successfully adapted as a West End and Broadway theatre play and a major film by Steven Spielberg. A former Children's Laureate (2003–2005), Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.

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