- Two classic stories about the Isle of Scilly from Britain"s best-loved children"s author, Michael Morpurgo. The Wreck of the Zanzibar: Life on the Scilly Isles in 1907 is bleak and full of hardship. Laura"s twin brother, Billy, disappears, and then a storm devastates everything. It seems there"s little hope...that is until the Zanzibar is wrecked on the island"s rocks and everything changes. Why the Whales Came: Gracie and her friend, Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. They find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. Then the children get stranded on Samson Island...Former Children"s Laureate and award-winning author of War Horse, Michael Morpurgo, demonstrates why he is considered to be the master story teller with these engrossing Island Tales.