- Michael Morpurgo, Illustrated by Michael Foreman

Toro! Toro!

By Michael Morpurgo, Illustrated by Michael Foreman
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A moving tale set during the Spanish Civil War, about the bond between a little boy and his bull, and their escape from a terrifying fate.

‘Once again, Morpurgo demonstrates his talent for stories of absolute clarity about big events’ Sunday Times

Surrounded by animals on a farm in the Spanish countryside, Antonito’s life is simple but sublime. He and his calf, Paco are inseparable, and the future is an unknown possibility. That is until Antonito sees with his own eyes what happens to bulls in the bullring and resolves to escape with Paco to the hills.

But Paco’s is not the only brutal fate they must run from. As civil war engulfs Spain, planes and soldiers arrive, and their bombs and guns may destroy Antonito’s whole world …

Author: Michael Morpurgo
Format: Paperback
Ageband: 9 to 11
Release Date: 27 Feb 2025
Pages: 128
ISBN: 978-0-00-863877-1
Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL is a writer, playwright, performer and librettist. The author of more than 150 children’s books, he has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and in almost 40 languages. A former teacher and vocal spokesperson for the benefits of reading for pleasure, he is currently the President of Book Trust. Between 2003–2005 he was Children’s Laureate and in 2018 he was knighted for services to literature and charity. Many of Michael’s books have been adapted for stage and screen, including the phenomenal National Theatre adaptation of War Horse, which has been seen by over 10 million people in over 100 cities around the world, broke the West End record for weekly ticket sales, and won 5 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards. Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.

“A tale about another country and another time that resonates with the here and now… Once again, Morpurgo demonstrates his talent for stories of absolute clarity about big events” Sunday Times -

“A poignant tale, simply told, about the horror of the Spanish Civil War and the noble cruelty of bullfighting” Sunday Telegraph -

“In Toro! Toro! Michael Morpurgo unpicks the problem of taking sides, of how enemies can be good, of guilty secrets kept for years… A compact, horrifying and compelling story” The Times -