Book & Author Info
Book Title: Little Manfred Book
Author: Michael Morpurgo
Book Genre: Children’s Fiction, Historical, Adventure
Little Manfred Plot
In this heart-lifting story, follow the journey of Walter, a German survivor of the sinking of the Bismarck, as he finds himself in a British ship and is taken in by a host family. Set during the 1966 World Cup, Walter’s touching friendship with ten-year-old Grace and the power of hope and connection will capture your heart.
Publisher Info
First published June 2011
This edition published by HarperCollins Children’s Books
77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JB
Text © Michael Morpurgo 2011
Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2011
ISBN – 978-0007339662
Children’s Reviews
Reviewer: Amy Age: 10 Review: A superb book, a great adventure when Grace goes back in time to listen to part of her Mum’s childhood. I would recommend this to all readers. Please read this book, it is a great experience, part of life in World War 2. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Mariya Age: 10 Review: This book was the best book ever. I thought it was mind blowing. It only took me one night to read it-I was that hooked in!! Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Aamina Age: 10 Review: I didn’t actually like this book but it was okay. My best part was when they were at the beach and an old woman and old man were watching them play with Manfred. They named the dog right after her toy dog which she named Little Manfred until it broke. Her parents bought her a new dog real of course and she named it Manfred after her old dog. Indicative Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Raheema Age: 10 Review: I didn’t really like Little Manfred. It was boring because nothing really happened in it other than an old man once again met a little child that he met when he was in the World War. My favourite character was the mum because she was so pleased to see the old man she met when she was young and she really liked the wooden dog (Little Manfred) thats why she started crying when dad broke the toy. My favourite part was when the old man walked into the house and when both the mum and the old man saw each other, it was a really happy moment and as I was reading that part I felt really happy. Indicative Rating: 2/5
Reviewer: Iky Age: 10 Review: I think this book was not really my type, it quite made me sleep. Indicative Rating: 2/5
Reviewer: Saddiqa Age: 9 Review: My favourite part is when Walter created a dog for Grace and she named it little Manfred. The unhappy part is when bombs and explosions hit the earth and it trembles. I recommend this book for class readers because it’s very interesting also if I was a boy I’d enjoy it because it has football photos at the end with information. A fabulous book to read! Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Isabel Age: 9 Review: Little Manfred is a very emotional book. Once I had started it I just couldn’t stop. It is all about two men called Walter and Manfred. Walter is hurt so a English ship helps them. Manfred and Walter meet a man called Marty. Manfred and Walter are looking for mines when a terrible accident happens. It’s a must read. Make sure you have a tissue around when you read. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Caitlin Age: 10 Review: I loved this book it is a great to read. I like how they like going to the beach. I recommend this to anyone who likes World War 2. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Aliyha Age: 9 Review: I didn’t really like Little Manfred. It was boring because nothing really happened in it other than an old man once again met a little child that he met when he was in the World War. My favourite character was the mum because she was so pleased to see the old man she met when she was young and she really liked the wooden dog (Little Manfred) that’s why she started crying when dad broke the toy. My favourite part was when the old man walked into the house and when both the mum and the old man saw each other, it was a really happy moment and as I was reading that part I felt really happy. I would give this book 5/10 Indicative Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewer: Tamina Age: 9 Review: This book was interesting. I was sad and a bit silly. My favourite character was Alex because he always followed his big sis Charley around and was very annoying. However, the sad part was when Walter, a German man, told the story about his friend Manfred and also that Grace, Charley’s mum, called her wooden dog Little Manfred. She called the dog Little Manfred because Manfred made it for her before the journey back to Germany. I loved this book and want to read more of Michael Morpurgo’s books in the future. Recommended to children of all ages. Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Nimra Age: 9 Review: I think this book is great because I like to read about beaches and I was shocked to find out that Manfred was a dog I thought it would be a boy. I was surprised to find out Alex was a football player. It was great to hear that Alex had a sister called Charley. Alex called Manfred Mannie sometimes. But the story is a bit sad. Most of all I think your story was interesting so I’d like to read another book of yours. Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Aisha Age: 10 Review: I thought the book was very interesting. It was quite weird when all of a sudden new characters popped in because I did not know who they were. Little Manfred was the second book I read, I thought it was a little emotional about the dog. I really liked this book, loads of children in my class liked it very much too. Have you ever read it because if you have not read it before, buy it from a shop or borrow it from a library. Loads of people like stories about dogs and if they have not read this one they should surely read it. You can even gift this book as a present on somebody’s birthday it is that good. As soon as we started this thing – fantastic book award – I was really keen. I would definitely recommend it to friends or family and I would give it 9/10 Indicative Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Taiyba Age: 10 Review: The characters in this book were Grace, Charlie, Walter, Alex, Marty and Mannie the dog. My favourite characters were Marty and Charlie because Charlie has frightening emotions. I like Marty because he is very helpful just like me. My favourite part was when Marty helps fix Little Manfred’s wheel. I would recommend this book for people aged 8-12. I would give this book 10/10. This book has different and calm places. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Ellie Age: 10 Review: I loved this book it is well good couldn’t take my head out of it read it everyone you will love it I loved that it was about the war and children Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Moizz Age: 10 Review: I liked the book this is my second favourite FBA the description was good I would give it ten out of ten (10/10). I even liked the the front cover I would give it ten out of ten as well (10/10) Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Ayman Age: 9 Review: I would give little Manfred 6/10 This book is all about a little girl called Charley and her little brother called Alex. They walk their dog called Manfred everyday, once they spot two men staring at sea. they went up to the two old men and asked all about them. The two old men knew a lot about Charley and her Mum they also knew where they live. I would recommend this book for 7 to 10 years olds. Indicative Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Joshua Age: 11 Review: I hated it – boo Indicative Rating: 1/5
Reviewer: Buddy Age: 12 Review: This book is good but it just isn’t for me. It’s about a dog and a boy . I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t tell you that much about it, but I would rate it : ** stars and age recommended 6+ Indicative Rating: 2/5
Reviewer: Joseph Age: 11 Review: I don’t recommend this book because it does not want to make you read on to see what happens Indicative Rating: 2/5
Reviewer: Harry Age: 10-11 Review: I found this book really good. It is hard to get into at the start but if you read on you will find it really good. I recommend it to boys and girls between the age of 8 and 12, but if you like war stories you must read it because it is quite cool. Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Aamina Age: 9 Review: The sad bit was at the end when there was a huge explosion. That was really, really sad. The happy bit was when the two men met Charlie. I would recommend this book to people who like happy and sad books. I would give it 9/10. Indicative Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Ruby Age: 11 Review: I really liked reading Little Manfred, the story line was very good. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Jessica Age: 10 Review: Really, really good, but not the best. Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Harry Age: 10-11 Review: I wish people would just read on with this book because if you do it is really good and if you like gory stuff then you must read it, 75% liked it. Indicative Rating: 3.75/5
Reviewer: Abdur Age: 10 Review: This book is based on World War 2 and there is a dog called Manny, some times he’s called Manfred. One boy and girl are on a beach and they find men called Walter and Marty and they have been in World War 2. This book would be suitable for people interested in the World Wars (ages 5,6,7,8 and 9). I like this book because there is some fighting, football and the World War. Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Ellie Age: 9 Review: I really like the book Little Manfred because I like the characters and the pictures. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Holly Age: 9 Review: I think that this book was excellent. But it got boring just after the start. But also my favourite character was Little Manfred the dog he was loving and caring. I would recommend this book to someone who likes sad stories. Indicative Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Jack Age: 10 Review: Little Manfred is really good and interesting it is one of the shortest books I have read but it is a very good one and is very mysterious because they were talking to strangers before they even got to them. My favourite part was when they were doing the flashback to when they were younger on the Bismarck and then being saved by the HMS Dorsetshire. My favourite character was Walter. I would rate this book an eight out of ten. I would recommend it to people who like short stories and in an age group of five to eight. Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Archie Age: 11 Review: I couldn’t really compare Little Manfred to any other books. In just a short story it got across a lovely message: everyone is our friend, even if you had been fighting them for six years. The bond between Charley’s mum and Manfred was amazingly strong and they’d only known each other for a short while. I liked this book as much as any other Michael Morpurgo book. My favourite character was Alex. He asked silly questions and reminded me of when my brother was younger. I enjoyed reading this book and am going to give it 8/10. A good read. Indicative Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Harry Age: 11 Review: ‘Little Manfred’ is my favourite book yet. I enjoyed reading the book because it was quite sad and I like sad books. My favourite character was Charley because she was very brave and she was very kind to the two old men. I would recommend this book to people who like sad books and people who like books about the war. I would rate this book 10/10. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Aimee Age: 10 Review: I liked the book because it was interesting and it was about the war. My favourite character was Charley because she was brave and she was very kind to the two old men. I would recommend this book to people who like books about the war. I would rate this book 10/10. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Hermione Age: 10 Review: I adore this book and it is one of my favourite books. My favourite bit from the book is when Walter told the children about his time in the war with his best friend Manfred. I thought that the dog was very cute. My favourite character was mum because she was very attached to the little toy dog, called little Manfred. She called it that because Walter’s friend Manfred had died the night that they were going to give it to her, but Manfred had died that night as well. That’s why she called it little Manfred. I think the age group for this book would be 7 to 10 because it’s a very easy book. The picture were very clear as well. I loved this book. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Hassan Age: 10 Review: It was a great book I have never read a book better than this, it is my favourite book. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Hasnat Age: 11 Review: It was one of the best books I have ever read. It was quite sad but really enjoyable to read. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Rafiul Age: 11 Review: It was a fantastic book because it was really dramatic and fun. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Millie Age: 10 Review: Little Manfred was really good and exciting it was realistic, it was exciting and interesting. Great book! Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Tayyiba Age: 11 Review: Little Manfred was a really good book, and I really enjoyed it, the characters were good it was a bit sad but I could not stop reading it. I read it in 2 nights. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Mollie Age: 10 Review: Little Manfred was a very emotional book. I thought it was very sweet and it certainly got my attention when I read the first line. It just shows how sad life can be. It inspires me because my grandmas got a dog which has been with me since I’ve been a baby and it brings back memories. I know the dog will meet its end soon but I know I can use this book to remember him by and it will help me know that he’s always there and you should never forget or stop believing in him. The little Manfred book is definitely a keeper. Thank you. Indicative Rating: 5/5
Feedback Summary
“Little Manfred” by Michael Morpurgo has received a variety of reviews from children aged 9-11. Many of the reviewers enjoyed the book, finding it interesting, emotional, and engaging. They particularly liked the characters and the setting of the story, which is based around World War II. Some reviewers found the book a bit sad, but still enjoyable. The book seems to be particularly appealing to those who enjoy books about the war and those who like emotional stories.
Pros:
- Interesting and engaging story
- Emotional and sometimes sad, which some readers enjoyed
- Likable characters
- Based around World War II, which appeals to readers interested in this period
Cons:
- Some readers found the book a bit sad
- Some readers found the book a bit boring