Nursery World - Author and performance poet Joseph Coelho is the new children's laureate

Performance poet, playwright and children’s author Joseph Coelho has been named Waterstones' Children's Laureate for 2022-2024.

Joseph Coelho, children's author, performance poet and playwright is the new children's laureate, PHOTO David Bebber

Through the role, Coelho has vowed to ensure every child sees themselves in books and believes their voice should be heard.

At the presentation of the silver Laureate medal by outgoing Laureate Cressida Cowell, during a ceremony held at The Unicorn Theatre in London today (4 July), Coelho revealed that his two year tenure will celebrate the power of poetry, showcase new authors and illustrators to diversify bookshelves and inspire bookmakers of the future. He also aims to champion public libraries.

‘It is a dream come true to be appointed as Waterstones Children’s Laureate, beyond anything my younger self could have imagined, and that’s not good enough,’ he said. ‘During my tenure I will endeavour to ensure every child can see themselves in books and as writers of books, as storytellers, as poets with voices to be heard. So that we can create the future that we need, one where we all read, write and dream the infinite stories of ourselves and each other.’

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