{"product_id":"an-elephant-in-the-garden-9781783191741","title":"An Elephant in the Garden","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAn Elephant in the Garden\u003c\/i\u003e is Simon Reade's new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's best-selling children's novel. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e1945. Dresden, Germany. Lizzie, her mother - and an elephant from the zoo, flee the Allied fire-bombing in the end-game of the Second World War. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEscaping the Allies' advance from the West - and also the advancing Russian armies from the East - this extraordinary trio of refugees meet: a downed RAF officer, cowering in a barn; a homeless school choir on the run and their Countess saviour, harbouring them from the Nazis; and the mechanised American cavalry, appearing over the horizon. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIt is Lizzie's story - but Marlene, the elephant, is the heroine. Plodding, obdurate, opportunistic, loadbearing, indestructible, cheering - Marlene embodies the stubbornness of the human will and how it will do everything to survive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eMichael Morpurgo OBE, is an English author, poet, playwright and librettist, best known for his work in children's literature. He was the third Children's Laureate. He has written over 120 books, and has been published in over 25 languages. His children's novel \u003ci\u003eWar Horse\u003c\/i\u003e has been adapted for stage where it became a smash-hit success in the UK, before transferring to Broadway and Toronto. \u003ci\u003eWar Horse\u003c\/i\u003e has also been adapted for screen, directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2012. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSimon Reade has previously adapted Michael Morpurgo's \u003ci\u003eToro! Toro!\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Mozart Question\u003c\/i\u003e as well as the phenomenally successful stage version of \u003ci\u003ePrivate Peaceful\u003c\/i\u003e, which he has also dramatised for BBC Radio and for feature film. His other plays include \u003ci\u003eMoon Tiger\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTwist of Gold\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAladdin and the Enchanted Lamp\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNot the End of the World\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Scarecrow and His Servant\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark\u003c\/i\u003e (all for Bristol Old Vic), \u003ci\u003ePride and Prejudice\u003c\/i\u003e (for Theatre Royal Bath Productions), and for the Royal Shakespeare Company Ted Hughes' \u003ci\u003eTales From Ovid\u003c\/i\u003e, Salman Rushdie's \u003ci\u003eMidnight's Children\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eEpitaph for the Official Secrets Act\u003c\/i\u003e (with Paul Greengrass.) His plays for young people are published by Oberon, as is his book \u003ci\u003eDear Mr. Shakespeare\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Oberon Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50525145268498,"sku":"9781783191741","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_cbff121a-85ac-46ff-be32-780da935831e.jpg?v=1731204034","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/an-elephant-in-the-garden-9781783191741","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}