JOSEPH COELHO is the Waterstones Childrens 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 Childrens 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 Childrens Festival to name a few. Joseph has been a guest poet on Cbeebies Rhyme Rocket, Radio 4s Poetry Playtime and Front Row. He is the presenter of BBCs Teach Poetry (Oct 2018) and features in DiscoveryEDUKs Poetry CurriculumDaniel Gray-Barnett is an Australian illustrator and author based in Tasmania. He has illustrated 5 books for children, including the award winning debut, Grandma Z. His illustrations have been commissioned by clients such as The New York Times, Sydney Opera House, The Boston Globe, The New Yorker, Warner Music, and The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. His work has been shown internationally and has been awarded by the Society of Illustrators NY, Communication Arts and 3x3 magazine.
"“The duo behind Poems Aloud and Smile Out Loud have focused on the theme of courage for their latest book, which features poems on how to feel brave, how to be yourself, and how to project happiness.” * The Bookseller * ""What a wonderful collection of poetry, all reflecting themes of how one can be brave, gather courage and face your own fears."" * Love Reading * ""This collection by the children's laureate is full of empowering ideas - like the notion that all you have to do to write poems is break up lines. It dares children to find their voice."" * The Sunday Times * ‘In his classic style, Joseph Coelho offers up brilliantly imaginative rhyme and verses alongside guidance, which is fun, accessible and non-judgemental.’ * BookTrust *"