War Horse author Michael Morpurgo hopes his new book will teach children about the symbolism of the poppy and the importance of remembering war.
New release Poppy Field sees the children’s author work with the Royal British Legion to explain the flower’s importance in our collective memory through a story.
Speaking at a factory making remembrance poppies in south west London, Morpurgo said: “We should know our past to be able to understand our present.
“I am a war baby myself, I grew up in a time when the shadow of war was all around. I played in ruins of houses and saw soldiers sitting on the street corner with one leg blown off.”
Children of his generation would learn about the war by hearing about it from their parents, but “those mums and dads are now gone”, he added.
“What we mustn’t do is forget it because it is part of who we are.”
Morpurgo, who also wrote classics including Private Peaceful and Why The Whales Came, added: “It’s not a history lesson I am trying to teach these kids – I am telling them a story.
“Behind the story there will be some historical truths and truths about humanity and how we live, but I just love telling stories.”
Some of the money raised from the sale of the book will go towards the Royal British Legion.
At the factory in Richmond, Morpurgo met schoolchildren and took their questions about his latest book.
Deirdre Mills, chief executive of the Poppy Factory which will produce around 7.5 million poppies for this year’s Remembrance Day, said: “It is fantastic what Morpurgo is doing for bringing remembrance to a whole new generation.”
Morpurgo added that other areas of history, including the British Empire, should be taught to children so they can better understand the issues of today.
