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The Butterfly Lion

Suitable for 5 – 7 years

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Product description

Deep in the burning African veld, a young boy rescues an orphaned white lion cub. But when the friends are torn apart and the lion is sold to a circus, how will their story end? This modern classic from Michael Morpurgo sweeps from a British boarding school to the African wilds, and from the First World War to the present day. It is a striking and heartwarming story of friendship against all the odds, which paints a vivid landscape in the mind.

Also available: Read and Respond activities to accompany The Butterfly Lion.

Product Details

Format

Paperback

ISBN

9780007913442

Condition

New

UK edition

Author/Illustrator

Michael Morpurgo

Photo of Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo is a master storyteller, weaving captivating stories full of drama and intensity that are coming to be regarded as true classics. Exploring the most profound subjects with a light yet powerful touch, his books tell unforgettable stories in simple, direct words.

Michael Morpurgo discovered his talent for writing while working as a teacher. “We had to read the children a story every day and my lot were bored by the book I was reading. I decided I had to do something and told them the kind of story I used to tell my kids – it was like a soap opera, and they focused on it. I could see there was magic in it for them, and realised there was magic in it for me.”

Living in Devon, listening to Mozart, and working with children have provided most of the stimulae Michael needs to discover and write his stories. He spends about half his life mucking out sheds with the children, feeding sheep or milking cows; the other half he spends dreaming up and writing stories. “For me, the greater part of writing is daydreaming, dreaming the dream of my story until it hatches out – the writing down of it I always find hard. But I love finishing it, then holding the book in my hand and sharing my dream with my readers.”

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What kids think

  1. bluepeter123456
    on 8 June 2016

    I have listened to this book on a CD. I really enjoyed listening to it. It was sad when the tiger cub died and the boy called Bertie. It had mystery and the story was amazing. I recommend this book to anyone who likes sad stories.

  2. AnnabethChase123
    on 16 March 2015

    Loved it. For me this book is a 10/10! Very interesting book for animal lovers and adventure seekers. I have read this book 4 times it has never gotten boring!

    5 out of 5

  3. Natania29
    on 18 June 2014

    Wow! This book is a very touching story all about a boy named Bertie who ran away from Boarding school and meets an old lady who tells him a story about her husband who was also called Bertie and how his lion got sold to a French circus and how they met again when they were older.

    5 out of 5

  4. tomgates27
    on 17 March 2014

    this book was all right the first time but boring to read twice

    2 out of 5

  5. loobyloulou123
    on 9 March 2014

    The Butterfly Lion is a heart warming yet bitter-sweet story. Bertie is a lonely little boy in South Africa who one day adopts an orphaned white lion cub, who then becomes his best friend. They have a wonderful companionship but things take a turn for the worst when Bertie is sent to boarding school in England and his father sells the cub to a French circus owner. Their separation is heart breaking, however Bertie promises to find him again.

    5 out of 5

  6. Cheerforevers
    on 7 March 2014

    This is about a boy who becomes friends with a lion cub.

  7. Catherine0703
    on 6 March 2014

    It’s a bit sad but a superb book written by an excellent author

  8. lips456
    on 4 March 2014

    amazing book

  9. Hellome2003
    on 11 May 2013

    I love this book

    5 out of 5

  10. TheMileLongBookshelfBlog
    on 8 March 2013

    I LOVE HIS BOOKS SO MUCH

  11. Helloioioi
    on 8 March 2013

    this book is lovly book.

  12. ninjastickman
    on 7 March 2013

    Jack runs away from school. He runs right out of there and he escapes to an old woman’s house where he learns of the butterfly lion. I would recommend an age rating of 9-12

    3 out of 5

  13. jesjen
    on 4 March 2013

    I want to read this as it’s an award-winning book.

  14. AaliyahShortcake
    on 24 February 2013

    Amazing story you will love it P.S. Get those tissues ready!

  15. Magicme11
    on 20 February 2013

    The lion on the cover looks sweet.I cannot wait to read this!!

    4 out of 5

  16. thestickthing
    on 29 June 2012

    I read this book ages ago so cant remeber what happened.

  17. bruceco1818
    on 8 May 2012

    I thought this book was heart breaking and emotional, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

    5 out of 5

  18. Houston7
    on 8 May 2012

    I really enjoyed this book because it felt like it was really happening. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

    5 out of 5

  19. gio3225
    on 11 April 2012

    This book is so cool! We read it at school! It’s soooooooooooooooo Heartwarming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I whished I could read it all in one go,we had to stop each day when it was bulding up atmosphere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I haven’t got this book myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We’ve finished it though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    5 out of 5

  20. hannah67
    on 6 April 2012

    I think this book is heart warming ! I just kept thinking that if I could write a book like this it would have been amazing!

    5 out of 5

  21. franky400
    on 2 April 2012

    It was really good and really moving-I even cried for parts of it! I would highly recommend this book

    5 out of 5

  22. sparklebooks
    on 24 March 2012

    im going to it the theater it sounds great.

  23. CharlesRox
    on 20 March 2012

    This book is really great and interesting, the detail and description was the best. Micheal Morpurgo books are brilliant

  24. welliehead
    on 20 March 2012

    I really liked this book and i really like the lion.

  25. cannonball
    on 5 March 2012

    i LOVE it soooooooooooooooooo much i keep on reading it over and over again

    5 out of 5

  26. indigobeam
    on 5 March 2012

    This book is so moving and emotional. It is written in such a powerful, heartwarming way. I love it!

  27. migit1
    on 3 March 2012

    great book it is really moving!

    it touched my heart

  28. Robbiegrowler
    on 3 March 2012

    The 1st chapter is amazing because there is so much detail.

  29. strawberryfairy
    on 3 March 2012

    superb

    5 out of 5

  30. dashernasher
    on 3 March 2012

    i loved this litle book but i did think it was too short.

    5 out of 5

  31. sweethart184
    on 2 March 2012

    i love this book

  32. aeroaeromonkey
    on 2 March 2012

    Such a lovely story.

    5 out of 5

  33. harrypotter73
    on 2 March 2012

    i loved this book it was the first chapter book i ever read. i just could nt let go of it i was 7 when i first read it and i still read it now i am nearly 11

      
        I LOVED IT

    IT IS GREAT I RECOMEND IT TO ALL AND IT IS A GREAT STORY OUTLINE!!!!!!!!!!!

    5 out of 5

  34. 2533becky
    on 2 March 2012

    Hard to get into a first. I was going to put the book down but i am glad a continued because i would have been missing out big-time.

  35. svjimmy
    on 2 March 2012

    TOTALLY AWESOME!!An amazing story of friendship and compassion.I loved it.

    5 out of 5

  36. bookgirl180
    on 2 March 2012

    So great and heart touching

  37. Bookworm81
    on 1 March 2012

    I read most of this when in year 3 and found it a very good book that I would definetly recommend to others.

  38. AmyXx
    on 1 March 2012

    Hard to get into a first. I was going to put the book down but i am glad a continued because i would have been missing out big-time.

  39. cowmoo1170
    on 1 March 2012

    I enjoyed this book and he is such a brilliant author, one of his best! Read this now if you love Mr Morpurgo

    4 out of 5

  40. eve624860
    on 1 March 2012

    it is a beautifull book and michael morpurgo describes everything so nicely so i defenitley recomend this book

  41. smileitsfriday
    on 1 March 2012

    I loved this book sooo much! I feel so sorry for Bertie, but then he finds a white lion cub. But when they grow up, Bertie is sent to boarding school and the lion is sent to the circus! * * * * *!

    4 out of 5

  42. minniemoe
    on 22 February 2012

    This book is amazing,heartfelt and wonderfully dramatic I totally loved this book and I’m certain everyone else did too!

    5 out of 5

  43. tysontia
    on 22 February 2012

    this book is brillant

    5 out of 5