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Ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Children's Historical Fiction / War Story / Family Drama

Book Review:

''Little Manfred'' by Michael Morpurgo, the award-winning author of ''War Horse'' and ''Private Peaceful,'' is a profoundly moving and beautifully crafted story that explores the enduring impact of war on ordinary lives and the power of forgiveness.

The story is framed in the summer of 1966, during the FIFA World Cup in England. Siblings Charley and Alex are walking their beloved dog, Manfred, on the beach when they encounter two elderly German men, Walter and Manfred, who are also watching the sea. A friendship develops, and through the men's stories, the children learn a secret about their own mother's past.

The narrative then shifts back to 1945, at the end of World War II. Their mother, Grace, was a young girl living on a farm when it became a posting for German prisoners of war. Against a backdrop of loss, hardship, and national prejudice, a gentle friendship blooms between Grace and two of the prisoners, Walter and a man named Manfred, who is a skilled woodcarver. He carves a small wooden dog for Grace, which she names ''Little Manfred.'' This small wooden toy becomes a symbol of an unlikely friendship and a connection that will last for decades.

Morpurgo is a master at weaving together past and present, and he does so here with immense skill and emotional resonance. The Observer Review noted, ''Morpurgo is a virtuoso at conjuring vibrant stories that draw on historical events,'' and The Independent added, ''Nobody can balance old and new better, or more convincingly.'' This book is a testament to that skill.

Michael Foreman's illustrations are, as always, evocative and poignant, perfectly capturing the mood of both the 1940s and the 1960s. The story is published in association with the Imperial War Museums, ensuring historical accuracy and depth.

This book is perfect for readers aged 9 and up. It's a story about the humanity that can exist even between enemies, the long-lasting echoes of war, and the power of small acts of kindness. It will make you think, it will make you feel, and it will stay with you long after you've finished reading. A beautiful, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful story. Highly recommended.