Children of the Throne - by Joseph Coelho (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From award-winning children's poet Joseph Coelho comes this gentle, poetic story about climate change, working together, building communities, and living in sync with nature.

In this moving, hopeful story, three children are gazing down from their high-rise windows at leaves hitting the hot pavements.

The summer is hotter than ever before, and the trees are tricked into thinking it is autumn.

They wonder why the grown-ups are pleased by the good weather, rather than worried for the trees. A wise tree shows the children how to conjure rain and look after the forest, but in bravely finding a short-term solution, they inspire and awaken a long-term commitment in the grown ups around them. Together, they all rediscover the hidden power of reconnecting with nature, setting a topsy-turvy world the right way up, and protecting it for future generations.

This important first look at climate change and protecting the natural world is brought to life by sweeping, emotive illustrations from Richard Johnson, close collaborator with Coelho on Our Building.

A soft and subtle way to highlight the importance of nature-restoration efforts, this beautiful book highlights the lesser-known signs of climate change in urban environments, providing children aged 5+ with details about what to look out for in the world around them.

Review Quotes

"On the hottest day of the year, three children watch from their tower block windows as golden leaves drift down to the baking pavement. From former Waterstones Children's Laureate Coelho comes this gentle, poetic story about climate change, working together, building communities and living in tune with nature."

About the Author

JOSEPH COELHO is the Waterstones Children's Laureate 2022-2024. In 2019 he won the Independent Bookshop Week Picture Book Award for If All the World Were which has been translated into over 10 languages. He has been long-listed for The Carnegie Children's Award with his poetry collection 'Overheard In A Tower Block', which was also shortlisted for the CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award and Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards. He won the 2015 CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award with his debut poetry collection Werewolf Club Rules. His debut Picture Book, Luna Loves Library Day was voted one of the nations favourite picture books by a survey led by World Book Day. His other poetry books include How To Write Poems and A Year Of Nature Poems .

He has written plays for companies including: Soho Theatre, Polka Theatre, The Unicorn Theatre, Theatre Royal York, Oily Cart and The Spark Children's Festival to name a few.

Joseph has been a guest poet on Cbeebies Rhyme Rocket, Radio 4's Poetry Playtime and Front Row. He is the presenter of BBC's Teach Poetry (Oct 2018) and features in DiscoveryEDUK's Poetry Curriculum.

Richard Johnson is an illustrator whose picture books have been published by Penguin, Faber & Faber, Macmillan, DK, and many others. His work is deeply thoughtful and conjures up powerful atmospheres with detailed, delicate pencil strokes.