The newspaper excerpts and further information provided as background to the historical aspects of the story are a real bonus. Inspired by Leicester City’s historic premiership win, The Fox and the Ghost King was first created for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and tells of how a fox’s discovery of the body of Richard III changes the fate of his favourite team. This is a great book for young readers (girls and boys ages 6 to 9) who love British football (soccer).

Michael Morpurgo Month 2023 KS1/2 teaching resources - Teachwire

The Fox and the Ghost King will publish on 22nd September 2016 in hardback with simultaneous audiobook and e-book launches. Rich with historical detail and beautifully illustrated, this is a touching and inspirational portrayal of farming life and familial ties. A delightful bit of whimsy combining the story of a family of foxes who live in Leicester, and cheer for the Leicester football team, and the ghost of King Richard the Third. as he reads and talks about There Once is a Queen, his special book for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. You can also read about his life in War Child to War Horse,a collaborative biography with Maggie Fergusson.Michael Morpurgo, began writing stories in the early '70's, in response to the children in his class at the primary school where he taught in Kent. They currently own three farms where over 2000 children a year stay for a week and experience the countryside by taking part in purposeful farmwork. One day, the dad of the family finds a Ghost King who says he will do anything for the dad to let him free. Morpurgo added: “Storymakers and storytellers like Barrie, and like all the previous winners of this award, have given us the hope and faith children need, we need, to keep flying, have sustained us through dark and troubled times, have banished doubt. Night Mayor Franklefink has vanished from the Transylvanian Express - and it's up to you to solve the case!

The Fox and the Ghost King - LoveReading4Kids

A year later, after the king has been found and reburied with suitable ceremony in Leicester cathedral, Leicester City (the Foxes) win, as promised, the Premiership. One of the UK's best-loved authors and storytellers, Michael was appointed Children's Laureate in 2003. We build and maintain all our own systems, but we don’t charge for access, sell user information, or run ads.

The “rightful king of England” not only wants to be buried in a cathedral “like other kings and queens”, he also wants to the world to remember him as he was, not as how the “damn dramatist” Shakespeare made him out to be.

The Fox and the Ghost King - ReadingZone The Fox and the Ghost King - ReadingZone

Over one hundred years after they were formed, and against 5000 to 1 odds, Leicester City won the football league.This was a really cute short story from Michael Morpurgo, about the year the Leicester city won the league and the remains of Richard III were found under a car park in the city. This book will delight fans young and old alike and sits perfectly in the canon of classic animals fables created by Michael Morpurgo. He was awarded an OBE in 2007 and a Knighthood in the New Year’s Honours in 2018 for services to literature and charity.

The Fox and the Ghost King - Michael Morpurgo - Google Books The Fox and the Ghost King - Michael Morpurgo - Google Books

At the beginning of the novel, it starts with a newspaper article, first about the fox sightings, (Leicester City's mascots are foxes) finishing with an article about Leicester City's victory. This very short little story will help these “children of all ages” learn that foxes do have feelings and are not just vermin and it also helps to give a gentle push to the reader to discover more about King Richard III and Leicester City FC. Find out about the latest book in the 'Girl, Missing' series, Secret Sister, in this short video by author Sophie McKenzie.

A former Children's Laureate, Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children. Below you will find various activities for your students to explore the themes touched upon in Michael Morpurgo 'The Fox and The Ghost King' .