Black History 365: Award-winning author Joseph Coelho inspires Wandsworth pupils

Taking a walk around Wandsworth is like following an indelible map of author Joseph Coelho’s memories.

The architectural mammoths of the Alton Estate in Roehampton, the eerie trio of bronze statues overlooking the tower blocks, the libraries packed with books that sparked a passion for words.

The award-winning author and poet – who was the Waterstones Children’s Laureate from 2022-2024 – returned to his home borough this month to share his writing journey and inspirations.

 

“Seeing greater representation within the writing world is hugely important to me,” explains Joseph, who spent his early childhood living in the Alton West Estate and exploring its green surroundings.

“I didn’t see a huge number of people like me, from families like my own in the books, or indeed in film or TV as I was growing up.

“I feel very passionate now about including all sorts of people and families and backgrounds within my own work, within my own poems and stories, so that every child gets the opportunity to see themselves reflected.”

Unique perspective

With around 50 books published in multiple languages across the world, Joseph’s unique perspective has struck a chord with millions of readers globally.

The success of his books such as the Luna Loves series for young readers, to his poetry anthologies and stories for older readers including The Girl Who Became a Tree, has led to meetings with King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as being awarded an OBE in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.

Winner of this year’s Yoto Carnegie Medal for his young adult book The Boy Lost in the Maze, Joseph puts much of his success down to having access to books and literature from a young age.

“As a child growing up in Roehampton, it was hugely important that I had access to books and writing,” he acknowledges.

“I was very lucky that my mum would take my little sister and me to the local library, Roehampton Library, which is still there, and we’d go and borrow lots of books.

“That opened up the world of books and reading and writing and literature in general to me.”

Visiting schools including his former secondary Ark Putney Academy – which was previously known as The Elliott School – and Brandlehow Primary School, gave Joseph chance to reflect on his own childhood. 

 “All these memories start to filter their way back into my stories and poems,” points out Joseph.

“For the young people to be able to recognise those places is not only just a lovely experience but also very powerful for those young people to see their home towns represented.”

More than 1,000 school pupils ranging in age from three to 12 took part in workshops with Joseph during his visit on 11 October.

Speaking to the children about his own experiences growing up in a single parent family, Joseph shared tips for the youngsters to express their ideas and thoughts.

“The advice I would give to young people who want to share their voice through the written word is to carry a notebook wherever you go, or even just a couple of sheets of paper that are folded down the middle,” advised Joseph, who worked at the former West Hill Library when he was younger.

“The more you record your brilliant ideas, the less chance you have of ever getting writer’s block or ever running out of ideas to write about.”

London Borough of Culture 2025

Now living in Scotland, Joseph’s deep connection to his childhood home remains, with the celebrated author supporting Wandsworth’s journey to become London Borough of Culture 2025.

For Joseph, the written word provides a robust key to unlocking the power of voices that may still go unheard.

“I think it’s really important for people of all ages, and especially young people, to find expression through words,” he adds.

“The more practice we have expressing ourselves, the stronger our words become.

“It means we can put across clearly what we mean, put across clearly how we feel, describe and talk about the issues and ideas that affect us, which can only be a good thing to bring communities closer together.”

Find out more about those making a positive difference across the borough and beyond through our Wandsworth Black History 365 hub.