In 1975 Michael and his wife Clare set up the charity Farms for City Children in Devon, enabling inner-city children to experience living and working on a family farm. For this they were awarded the MBE. Michael has published over 130 books including War Horse, Private Peaceful and The Butterfly Lion and was Children's Laureate 2003 - 2005. A passionate campaigner for children's literature, the rights of children and for peace, in 2006 he was awarded the OBE for services to children's literature.