| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
“Nobody can balance old and new better, or more convincingly.” – The Independent
“[Morpurgo] really is a master at this sort of thing; not a word is wasted." – The Telegraph
“Morpurgo is a virtuoso at conjuring vibrant stories that draw on historical events." – The Observer Review
“This is a very touching, absorbing story vividly bringing events to life." – Primary Times
"A treat for all ages and abilities to enjoy." – Primary Times
“This book is perfect for anybody who wants to find out about the Second World War and how it affected real people.” – First News
"Foreman's water-colour illustrations are a perfect counterpoint to the text… This is a book which can be enjoyed by, and give something to, many age groups." – School Librarian
Product Description
The heart-lifting, heartbreaking new story by Michael Morpurgo, the nation’s favourite storyteller.
In the Imperial War Museum is a wooden Dachshund, carved by a German prisoner of war for the children of the British family with which he stayed after the fighting ended. This is the story of how it got there…
When the Bismarck sinks, one of the only German survivors is taken on board a British ship as a prisoner of war. Sent to live with a host family, Walter must adapt to a new way of life, in the heart of an enemy country. Gradually, though, he finds a friend in ten-year-old Grace. So when the time finally comes to go back to Germany, it’s an emotional parting, with Walter leaving Grace with only a carved wooden dog to remember him by. The question is, will Walter and Grace ever meet again? In 1966, with the World Cup coming to Britain, that opportunity may just have come along…
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
|
Length:
0:21
Mins
In the Imperial War Museum there is a wooden Dachshund. It was carved by a German prisoner of war in the 1940s. This is its story. Well almost. It's a story that captures the spirit of the true story though.
In the summer of 1966, just after England's famous footballing victory against the Germans in the World Cup Final, a young girl, her brother and their dog encounter two men on the beach. One has a story to tell about the girl's mother from when she also was a little girl during the second World War. It's a story about friendship and kindness, both heart warming and tragic that begins with two German friends going to war on the fated German battleship Bismarck. Michael Morpurgo tells a moving and nostalgic story, deeply shadowed by the conflict of nations but brightened by the hope and peaceful humanity of ordinary people. He's aided by Michael Foreman's beautiful sketches, brought to bright summer life by water colour. I'd say this would be ideal for the 8-10 reading age group but really I don't see why this can't be enjoyed by ages of any number. It certainly would be a great starting point for summer projects, perhaps investigating the untold stories of parents from when they were children. As the cover states, "The past is all around us."
There is also an afterword about the history touched on in the story and a short chapter about Michael Foreman's memories of that World Cup... and another dog, this time named Pickles, who saved the day.
In the summer of 1966, just after England's famous footballing victory against the Germans in the World Cup Final, a young girl, her brother and their dog encounter two men on the beach. One has a story to tell about the girl's mother from when she also was a little girl during the second World War. It's a story about friendship and kindness, both heart warming and tragic that begins with two German friends going to war on the fated German battleship Bismarck. Michael Morpurgo tells a moving and nostalgic story, deeply shadowed by the conflict of nations but brightened by the hope and peaceful humanity of ordinary people. He's aided by Michael Foreman's beautiful sketches, brought to bright summer life by water colour. I'd say this would be ideal for the 8-10 reading age group but really I don't see why this can't be enjoyed by ages of any number. It certainly would be a great starting point for summer projects, perhaps investigating the untold stories of parents from when they were children. As the cover states, "The past is all around us."
There is also an afterword about the history touched on in the story and a short chapter about Michael Foreman's memories of that World Cup... and another dog, this time named Pickles, who saved the day.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Michael Morpurgo's latest book is based upon "Little Manfred" a wooden Daschund dog which was donated to the Imperial War Museum a few years ago. Michael Foreman's added illustrations and his idea for the included football theme add the finishing touches to the story.
One summer's day, Charley and her younger brother, Alex, are walking their dog Manfred on the beach, and by chance start talking to two gentlemen. The children discover that one of the men, Walter, had been a German prisoner of war and had worked and lived on their farm in 1945. Walter is visiting England to go to the World Cup Final with an old friend, and through his war time memories and time he spent on the farm, the book reveals why a little wooden pull-along toy is so special, particularly to Charley and Alex's mum, Grace.
As with all Michael Morpurgo's books, this story will delight and educate young and older readers. I particularly like his war time stories and the inspirations behind them.
One summer's day, Charley and her younger brother, Alex, are walking their dog Manfred on the beach, and by chance start talking to two gentlemen. The children discover that one of the men, Walter, had been a German prisoner of war and had worked and lived on their farm in 1945. Walter is visiting England to go to the World Cup Final with an old friend, and through his war time memories and time he spent on the farm, the book reveals why a little wooden pull-along toy is so special, particularly to Charley and Alex's mum, Grace.
As with all Michael Morpurgo's books, this story will delight and educate young and older readers. I particularly like his war time stories and the inspirations behind them.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Even before I read the story I was delighted with the presentation of the book.
Not too much writing on the pages, (beneficial for a child) and the most beautiful pictures. Certainly a book I will keep on my bookshelf for its presentation alone.
Micheal Morpurgo does not talk down to children. The Story is based on facts and makes very interesting reading as well as imparting knowledge to the children who read it. There are facts about the end of the 2nd world war and about football.
I can highly recommend it to anyone, young or old.
Not too much writing on the pages, (beneficial for a child) and the most beautiful pictures. Certainly a book I will keep on my bookshelf for its presentation alone.
Micheal Morpurgo does not talk down to children. The Story is based on facts and makes very interesting reading as well as imparting knowledge to the children who read it. There are facts about the end of the 2nd world war and about football.
I can highly recommend it to anyone, young or old.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Tale of Toys
A beautiful tale from World War Two about German POWs and the activities they took part in whilst they were held in the UK, Themephasis is on one little wooden toy doy.
Published 2 months ago by Poohbaa
Two People Divided by War, United by a Toy Dog
What might one ask has the sinking of the Bismarck, German POW working on a farm, Geoff Hurst's second goal in the 1966 Wembley World Cup final, and the Imperial War Museum? Read more
Published 10 months ago by mangilli-climpson m
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
