Cobweb

by Michael Morpurgo

An adventure inspired by the true story of the French Drummer Boy of Waterloo.

“They call me Cobweb. I’ll tell you why later. I may be a dog, but I know and understand a lot more than people think I do.”

Britain. 1815. After years of loss and sacrifice, the end of the war with Napoleon is approaching.

Cobweb knows nothing of the war – he loves being a young puppy and playing with his owner, Bethan, exploring the countryside and chasing rabbits.

But when he is taken away from Bethan and sold, Cobweb must learn to become a Drover’s Dog – herding sheep and cattle for hundreds of miles on the long, treacherous journey to London.

And after the Napoleonic wars finally come to an end with the Battle of Waterloo, Cobweb meets an unexpected stranger with an incredible tale to tell on his journey home . . .

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Animals, Fiction, Dogs, Childrens

240 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Jo Summerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down. I may have just found my new favourite by Michael Morpurgo!

[Tabea · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a beautiful story. couldn't put the book down!

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Michael Morpurgo introduces children to history via heartwarming animal stories like this one about an ordinary pet named Cobweb who experiences some extraordinary journeys and tough work during the Napoleanic war. Characterisation and setting are so well depicted and draw the reader straight into the era.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book deeply heart warming and would recommend to people of my age (11) and younger. I will say though is it made me feel rather sad at the beginning so if you get emotional do not take this book out of the library because you may have to pay a fine for ruining a book with tears.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story for all ages
Michael Morpurgo writes from the heart

Written for junior fiction

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely audiobook that I found on the BookBeat app.
As the above synopsis reads, the story is set during the Napoleonic Wars and told by Cobweb, a Welsh Corgi, who lives on a farm with his owner Bethan, and her father Tad. It the story of his adventures on and around the farm and when he becomes a drover’s dog on the long road to and from London and meets a French drummer boy from Napoleon’s army.
Bethan and her father Tad are still grieving over the deaths at sea of family members, but Bethan is comforted by Cobweb. Her father tries to get rid of Cobweb but he manges to either escape or be rescued by Bethan. Until Tad remarries a horrible women who doesn’t want Cobweb in the house and sells him to Farmer Morgan. That’s when Cobweb ends up becoming a drovers dog and when his real adventures begin.
I loved Cobweb, he was a lovely dog who loved Bethan and had a wonderful life on the farm in Wales. He was curious and loyal and I loved the way he told his own story. It was very similar to Black Beauty, in that it was an animal recounting his adventures rather than a person.
Iestyn Arwel, a new-to-me narrator, was perfect for this story.
I’ve mentioned before that I really like the way Michael Morpurgo writes, so I’ve saved more of his audiobooks on the BookBeat app.
Highly recommend this if you enjoy middle grade stories featuring animals.

[NJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit I picked this up to feel some nostalgia as I owned a hearty collection of Michael Morpurgo books as a kid. But the blurb and first two pages immediately sent me clutching this book to the till. This book is both cute and heart wrenching. I shall always give a passing dog a fuss from now on!

[Klare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story told from the dog’s point of view.

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cobweb is a small, young dog, born on a Welsh farm near the sea. Only a man and his daughter named Bethan run this farm now after a terrible tragedy, and the girl takes Cobweb from the large litter to be her own. She is lonely and needs someone to talk to and to love, now that her father is also grumpy... and sad.

Bethan becomes Cobweb's whole world, and they do everything together. Bethan's dad isn't keen about her keeping the puppy, as he can sell him as a drover's dog - especially now that Cobweb has shown how fast a learner he is on the farm. But Bethan stands strong - Cobweb is hers.

All is finally settled. At least Bethan and Cobweb believe it is so. But another huge change hits this family, and it's not to Bethan's and Cobweb's liking. Without warning, they are separated once again, and Cobweb is on his own.

He is about to go on a grand adventure. It's hard work, a very very long way, and although it's not like the bond he and Bethan share, he is cared for. Along the way, he becomes a skilled drover's dog, meeting people and other dogs along the way. Some are friendly and some are not, but the two soldiers he met make a huge impression on him.

They have just returned from The Battle of Waterloo. Cobweb has heard many stories, and know many have lost their lives fighting the French general, but despite one of these men now blind from the battlefield, they have an amazing story to tell.

Little does Cobweb know that the subject of this story will make his life even happier than before.


Told in Cobweb's point of view (read it to find why he's called Cobweb), this new story from master storyteller Michael Morpurgo will melt your heart. Morpurgo's animal stories are always touching, and his war ones deftly told - but when he blends the two together, it's superb.

Set in 1815, in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte's assault on England, these battles are part of the narrative but besides being in stories by soldiers, it is never the setting. Napoleon's nickname is 'Boney' and there is much loss, but also bravery on both sides. One soldier becomes a key character in Cobweb's dream to get home to his beloved owner.

A truly enjoyable tale of love - between a dog and his owner, loss of loved ones, a soldier's story and an old drover's dog needing a hand.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Morpurgo may be an octogenarian but he can still spin (pardon the pun!) a good yarn.

Combining two themes that he does best - war and animals - Cobweb is set during the Napoleonic wars and is the story of a Welsh corgi who is taken from his comfortable life on the farm with his beloved Bethan to be a drovers’ dog, guiding cattle and sheep to market in London.
On his way home, alongside his companion driving dog Goodlad, they come across a drummer boy who was present at the Battle of Waterloo and who has a remarkable tale to tell.

As with all Michael Morpurgo stories this is a simple tale, but he shines a light on these simple tales with beautiful, lyrical writing and a positive spin.

I was intrigued by the concept of a drover’s dog and so looked it up… they did indeed herd livestock over many, many miles, and they did indeed (as Cobweb and Goodlad did) get sent to find their way home alone.

A beautiful story which could potentially work as a readaloud (I had great fun in my head doing the Welsh and French accents!!)

[Sean O’Lorey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cobweb by Michael Morpurgo.

When we saw Michael in conversation recently at Chichester cathedral, he mentioned this book. And from that moment, I knew I wanted to read it.

Bethan is a young girl who lives on a farm in wales. Cobweb is the smallest of the litter of dogs that she decides she wants to keep and raise as her own. Tad (her father) begrudgingly agrees until Megan arrives. A not so nice woman who kidnaps cobweb and gives him to her uncle, a drover. After some time, he and cobweb get along and drover promises to return cobweb to Bethan as soon as they’re done. They go on a journey together to London and as cobweb is returning home, he also goes on a journey.

I loved it. It was sweet and fun and it’s just so relevant. Michael Morpurgo teaches so many wonderful things in his stories. Highly recommend.

[Alice (Children's Books Librarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cobweb is the latest standalone read from Michael Morpurgo. Inspired by the battle of Waterloo and in particular, the French drummer boy, Cobweb starts off the story as a young puppy with a loving owner until the day he is stolen and sold off to become a new Drover's Dog. Facing harsh weather and hundreds of miles to get to London, he dreams of his past happiness and whether he can find his place in the world.

Lovely story, very similar to other stories written by Morpurgo. Little slow in places.

[Ann McGoran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cobweb is born on a farm, the runt of the litter. Bethan, the farmers daughter, is grieving the death of her mother and brother, takes Cobweb to be her pet. Her father takes on a new wife who removes Cobweb and gives him to her cousin who works him as a drover. whilst Cobweb is working he meets Patrick, a french drummer boy, and takes him back to Bethan's farm where he works with Tad and Bethan. it's a good children's story, you wouldn't expect anything less from Michael Morporgo.

[Andree M Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never give up

I read this book with my Grandson, we were very touched by Cobwebs bravery, and that he never gave up. Our second book by Michael Morpurgo, what a amazing Author, his characters stay in our hearts forever. This book is great for 11 year old and a 66 year old Grandmother. Get this book, your heart will thank you.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and heart warming book. Suitable for 9+ years and enjoyable for all past this age. Told from the perspective of Cobweb, a dog, who ends up on an adventure that is not his choice, finding a French Drummer Boy from the battle of Waterloo and they make their way home to Cobweb’s home in Wales.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Story that will appeal to all age groups. About a dog and its adventures. War and the after effects.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Not my favourite of his but a wholesome story nonetheless. Animals + important stories

[Victor Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expertly woven tale. Exquisite balance of historical accuracy, the surge and ripple of escapade and a poignancy unparalleled in the genre. Morpurgo is a master storyteller.

[Cheryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a dog you will have your heart-strings pulled by this book! Some sad and some happy bits but what an adventure for Cobweb and Goodlad. An excellent read for middle/upper primary kids.

[H]

Michael Morpurgo的这部作品以小狗的视角展开: 在历史常由胜利者书写的惯有认知下，作者摒弃偏见，将法军、英军的角色刻画得丰满而完整。在这里，没有绝对的反派，只有为了生存而努力的人。
Read in one sitting, Harper Collins' hardcover

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved cobweb and good lad

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous story telling and so good to read something for children set in the countryside for a change.

[Sara Cryer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute. I have a Corgi and I felt like this was an accurate portrayal of what a Corgi would be like if things were seen from his point of view.

[ᯓ★ Isla Guthrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, small book about a dog called Cobweb becoming a drover dog during the Napoleonic war! I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Morpurgo speaking about this book at the hay on wye festival, and I really enjoyed his talk and this book too!! His books are so simple yet imaginative.

[The Bibliognost Bampot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well written, well paced and well developed Morpurgo tween masterpiece. Interesting time period to choose - how Napoleon, War and Waterloo impacted those at home, rather than those fighting.

[Richard Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly not one of the great books that the author has written but a heartwarming book for the young and old.

[Ella :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book! 💗🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[Frog · Rating 4 out of 5]

doggy

[Lux And · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cobweb: this might be my new favourite Michael Morpurgo book, previously my favourite was Alone on a Wide Wide Sea and it had been that book since I read it when I was 10. A book in the perspective of a Pembrokeshire corgi, set in the napoleonic war, with multiple little adventures that this dog goes on. Yeah that’s good for me. 4.5/5

[Rachael Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, such a cute read, once again I am reminded of what an amazing author Michael Morpurgo is, I managed to grab a signed copy of this book 🤩📖. They are children’s books but I do believe all ages can enjoy his books. I didn’t know much about the war with Napoleon and thought it was a refreshing read as I absolutely love history and animals with the main character being Cobweb a corgis. 🐾