Mr Skip

An enchanting story about how doing a little bit of good and having faith – in a magical gnome and a very stubborn donkey – might just make your dreams come true. 'Morpurgo has the happy knack of speaking to both child and adult readers’ Guardian Jackie dreams of having a horse – one that will run like the wind and beat the boys on the estate who don’t let girls join their races. The closest she can get is her gran’s old donkey, Barnaby, and she can barely make him walk. But then Jackie finds a magical gnome and he helps Barnaby become a racing superstar. Can the magic last, and make Jackie’s dreams come true?

Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL is a writer, playwright, performer and librettist. The author of more than 150 children’s books, he has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and in almost 40 languages. A former teacher and vocal spokesperson for the benefits of reading for pleasure, he is currently the President of Book Trust. Between 2003–2005 he was Children’s Laureate and in 2018 he was knighted for services to literature and charity. Many of Michael’s books have been adapted for stage and screen, including the phenomenal National Theatre adaptation of War Horse, which has been seen by over 10 million people in over 100 cities around the world, broke the West End record for weekly ticket sales, and won 5 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards. Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.