Joseph Coelho
Waterstones Children's Laureate: 2022-24
Joseph Coelho is an award-winning performance poet, playwright and children's author. His books include the critically acclaimed Luna Loves... series, If All The World Were, and the CLiPPA-shortlisted collection of poems, Overheard in a Tower Block.
See what Joseph had to say about being crowned the Waterstones Children's Laureate
Former Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho is an award-winning performance poet, playwright and children's author based in Kent. His debut poetry collection Werewolf Club Rules (Frances Lincoln, 2014) was the winner of the CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award 2015. His work has poetry and performance at its heart, drawing on over 20 years' experience running dynamic creative literacy sessions in schools. He aims to inspire young people through stories and characters they can recognise and explores themes including fear, courage, diversity, gratitude, empathy and loss.
In addition to exploring emotional landscapes, Coelho is inspired by magic, the ancient world and often draws on his own experiences transforming them into something universal that can be shared. Throughout his career he has highlighted the power of poetry and reading, championing and campaigning for local libraries and spotlights new voices and diversity throughout his work.
Coelho writes for children of all ages; his picture books include the critically acclaimed Luna Loves… series illustrated by Fiona Lumbers (Andersen Press) and If All the World Were… illustrated by Allison Colpoys (Lincoln Children’s Books, 2018) which won the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award 2019. His work across poetry includes the collection Overheard in a Tower Block (Otter-Barry Books, 2017), which was shortlisted for the CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award 2018 and longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2019 and The Girl Who Became a Tree (Otter-Barry Books, 2019), which was shortlisted for the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal. Other work includes middle-grade series Fairytales Gone Bad illustrated by Freya Hartas (Walker, 2020) and YA Novel The Boy Lost in the Maze (Otter-Barry Books, 2022), as well as non-fiction titles including How To Write Poems illustrated by Matt Robertson (Bloomsbury, 2017) among others. During his tenure, Coelho championed the Bookmaker Like Me, an initiative designed to ensure children from all backgrounds feel inspired to get involved in the publishing process. He also created 80 Poetry Prompts, weekly videos that provided inspiring excerises for children to get started writing poetry.
This beautifully illustrated portrait of one year in nature is put together by poet Joseph Coelho, with each month assigned a relevant and resonant poem. It reassuringly shows that emotions come and go, like the seasons – and the bad times always pass.
This funny, clever and very enjoyable verse retelling of Rumpelstiltskin takes the story back to its original darkly horrifying roots and adds a smart, likeable heroine who saves the day with a story.
This beautiful story tells the love that one little girl has for her ageing grandad. One day he isn’t there anymore, but the little girl finds evidence of their happy times together. A touching, sensitive text that doesn’t dwell on the sadness and could bring real comfort.
In Joseph Coelho's story told in poems, the ancient Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo is seamlessly woven into the modern-day tale of a 14 year old girl who becomes lost in the tangled woods of her grief and anger .
From the talented poet Joseph Coelho, this charming picture book highlights the wonders of libraries for families and communities. Accompanying the poetic text is gloriously bright and delightful illustrations to bring the magic of the library to life.
With the gentle support of her family, Luna begins to believe in herself as a real dancer. This delightful tale shows young children that, with perseverance and determination, they can overcome setbacks and follow their dreams.
When a child who never speaks gets a new teacher, she is blown away by her colourful personality. A gentle story that pays homage to the people that sometimes come into our lives to guide us through difficult times, and the power of a fantastic teacher.
Recounting the childhood of a child living in a city tower block, many of these poems are sad or angry and bristle with an edginess that young teens may find refreshing when compared to other poetry aimed at them.
Smile Out Loud: 25 Happy Poems
Joseph Coelho has written the brilliant poems in this book to help children spread happiness.
A touching, colourful picture book about gratitude and how a small ‘Thank you!’ can grow and grow and brighten up the world.
This is a lovely and gentle picture book to share with young children to prompt discussion about how upsetting situations, such as parental separation, can provoke feelings which are difficult to manage and may lead to uncharacteristic behaviour.
