'He's got no one else...and nowhere else to go. After all those years, he's found his son and you've found your father. Doesn't that mean anything to you?' Cessie has never seen her grandfather, not even in photos, until the day he turned up on the doorstep out of nowhere...The old man has a stroke. He recovers, but he has lost his memory. Popsicle is impossible to live with - moody, forgetful, clumsy. Only Cessie loves him and believes in him. So when he is sent off to Shangri-La, an old people's home, she is determined to help him escape and to unravel the truth of his past. A past that comes to him only in glimpses - a lifeboat, a tin of condensed milk, and a terrifying night on the beaches of Dunkirk in World War II...Gradually, Popsicle recovers his memory and, with Cessie's help, realises a dream by taking the residents of Shangri-La on an adventurous journey across the channel in his lifeboat. When they return to the port, Popsicle and his son, Cessie's father, are finally reconciled.
Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo is a British author known for his children's literature, particularly his moving and emotionally resonant stories. He is best known for his novel "War Horse," which was adapted into a successful stage play and later a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Morpurgo's writing often explores themes of war, family, and the natural world, drawing on his own experiences as a teacher and his passion for storytelling. His works have had a profound impact on the genre of children's literature, earning him numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Children's Laureate title in 2003. With over 130 books to his name, Morpurgo continues to captivate readers of all ages with his heartfelt and thought-provoking storytelling.