The Pied Piper of Hamelin
By Author / Illustrator
Sir Michael Morpurgo, Emma Chichester Clark
Genre
Adventure
Age range(s)
7+
Publisher
Walker Books Ltd
ISBN
9781406315110
Format
Hardback
Published
06-10-2011
Synopsis
A spell-binding modern retelling of a classic children's tale by master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, with glorious illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark.
In the town of Hamelin, the rich and greedy live like kings and queens while the poor and sick scavenge rubbish tips for scraps. A lame orphan boy tells the classic tale of how a plague of rats take over the town and how a fantastic piper offers to rid Hamelin of its rats for a single gold coin, then lures away the town's children when the greedy mayor breaks his word. Masterfully weaving contemporary social and environmental themes into a gripping tale, and celebrating it with breath-taking illustrations, former British Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo and illustrator Emma Chichester Clark team up to create a compelling new take on this timeless story.
Reviews
Natalie
This new version of the classic story is wonderfully retold by the prolific multi-award-winning Morpurgo and is accompanied by beautifully detailed and colourful illustrations by the also multi-award-winning Emma Chichester Clark. Morpurgo, a former Children's Laureate, uses the well-known story about a town that treats its poorest youngest citizens very badly and becomes overrun by rats to highlight his campaign for children's rights and achieves an interesting well-plotted story which manages to have many ethical and issues-based talking points whilst not being overtly didactic. From disability to the divide between rich and poor and from keeping your word to breaking your promise, this story has many ideas for a young reader to think about and opportunities for discussion.
Suggested Reading Age 7+