Scholastic to publish D-Day book by Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman

Scholastic UK is partnering with the Royal British Legion for a Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman collaboration, Finding Alfie, “a stunning commemoration of the D-Day invasion” based on true events and set in Morpurgo’s family home. 

Scholastic UK former executive editor Linas Alsenas acquired world rights from David Higham for the text by Morpurgo. Creative director Andrew Biscomb acquired illustrations directly from Foreman. It will be published on Scholastic UK’s non-fiction, brands and licensing list headed by publisher Elizabeth Scoggins.

Finding Alfie will be published in May ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 6th June 2024. A £1 donation from every trade hardback sale in the UK will go to the Royal British Legion. 

The blurb reads: "On the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Sir Michael Morpurgo tells a new story to introduce children to this milestone moment in history. A fictional story rooted in real history, Finding Alfie was inspired by true events and is set in Morpurgo’s family home, Bradwell, as well as Normandy. 

"Dedicated to the memory of Morpurgo’s uncle who died at 21 at the beginning of the Second World War, the book is about remembering and honouring all those who died during the war. It aims to teach children about the Second World War, D-Day and to keep those memories alive. 

"Finding Alfie is illustrated by Michael Foreman, who has written movingly about his own wartime experiences and will bring the same, authentic perspective to illustrating this new title." 

Developed in partnership with the Royal British Legion, the book includes a photo-illustrated afterword by the Royal British Legion’s director of remembrance Philippa Rawlinson, which provides historical context for the wartime events featured in the story including the Dunkirk evacuation and the D-Day landings. 

Morpurgo says: “To tell the story of the generation that stood alone and steadfast against the threat of invasion in 1940, and played its part in the D-Day landings and in the liberation of Europe from occupation and tyranny, is the only way now to pass on to today’s young generation how it was for people to live through those times, what courage and sacrifice it took to fight for our freedom, and for the freedom of others.” 

Foreman says: “Illustrating Finding Alfie took me back to the morning in 1944, when many young men suddenly left our village for the beaches of Europe. How many would return? It was a moving story to illustrate.” 

Rawlinson said: “Since 1921, the Royal British Legion has led the nation in remembrance and our Remembrance Learning Programme inspires the next generation to understand who, why and how we remember.

"The story represents the experiences of millions of Armed Forces servicemen and servicewomen across the world who have served and sacrificed – and continue to do so – for the freedoms that we know today. Their enormous contribution to this world will never be forgotten if we always actively remember them.”

Scholastic’s previous title partnerships with the Royal British Legion include Poppy Field by Morpurgo and Please Write Soon by Michael Rosen. All three stories have been illustrated by Michael Foreman.