Michael Morpurgo’s children’s classic is now a BAFTA nominated major movie animation that The Sunday Times calls ‘bold, charming and beautiful’ starring Cillian Murphy, Sally Hawkins and Ken Watanabe. With screen play by children’s laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce. From the award-winning author of War Horse.

‘A dazzling adventure’ – The Times

‘I heard the wind above me in the sails. I remember thinking, this is silly, you haven’t got your safety harness on, you haven’t got your lifejacket on. You shouldn’t be doing this … I was in the cold of the sea before I could even open my mouth to scream.’

Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. With no food and no water, he curls up and closes his eyes ready for the end. When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He is not alone …

Kensuke's Kingdom is a gripping adventure of survival and true friendship from the author of War Horse.

Michael Morpurgo has written more than one hundred books for children and won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children’s Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.

Kensuke’s Kingdom was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize and won the FCB Award.

‘A dazzling adventure’ – The Times

‘This is a beautifully written tale of an exceptional friendship which survives beyond the boundaries of culture and language.’ – Booktrust

'I read Kensuke’s Kingdom to my boys when they were little and they were enthralled by it. Michael Morpurgo manages to connect so beautifully with a child's sense of wonder and adventure.’ Cillian Murphy

Reviews of the Kensuke’s Kingdom movie

‘Beguiling’★★★★ The Times

'Kensuke’s Kingdom is your family film for the summer holidays…bold, charming and beautiful' ★★★★ The Sunday Times

‘[A] magical British animation' ★★★★ The Telegraph

‘Will be treasured for years by young and old alike' ★★★★★ Irish Independent

‘Spielbergian’ The Guardian

‘Impeccably elegant animation of [the] Michael Morpurgo adventure' The Observer

'This island adventure is one to treasure' The Mail on Sunday

'Delightful family entertainment' ★★★★ The Irish Times

‘Inventive and absorbing…beautifully animated, full of emotion' Scotland on Sunday

‘Epic… a true labour of love’ Metro

‘Gentle and gorgeous…it’s impossible not to be charmed… this film will resonate, whatever your age.’ The Sun

‘Full of lush colours and with a David Attenborough-ish eye for the wonder of nature, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ should widen the eyes of family members of all ages.’ Time Out

‘A beautifully realised family film' The Scotsman

Michael Morpurgo is one of the most successful children's authors in the country, loved by children, teachers and parents alike. He has written more than forty books for children, including the global hit War Horse, which was made into a Hollywood film by Steven Spielberg in 2011.

He has won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children's Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.He received an OBE in December 2006 for his services to literature.