Joseph Coelho

Children's Laureate sows love of reading with a gardening tale

Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers brought the magic of books to life for 140 Wolverhampton schoolchildren with an interactive storytelling and drawing session. The event, held at Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School, was themed around Luna Loves Gardening, the fifth book in Coelho's bestselling Luna Loves... series published by Andersen Press.

Coelho and Lumbers entertained children aged 5 to 7 from five local schools with stories, drawing activities, and fun facts about gardening, all inspired by Luna's latest adventure. Luna loves tending plants, learning about insects and sharing her love for the community garden. In the book, Luna finds out about plants from across the world and learns that every seed tells its own story.

Head Librarian, Mrs Rowley, who organised the event in partnership with Andersen Press, said: "It was wonderful to see Joseph and Fiona sharing stories and drawings with children from schools across the City. As our School has a newly established story garden, Luna's latest gardening adventure provided perfect inspiration for our youngest students to make insect houses, sow seeds and decorate their own plant pots. Our children are now thoroughly enthused to explore gardening, books and nature."

As World Book Day celebrations continued at WGS the event is sure to have inspired a love of reading and creativity in our young audience. Children left with signed books and fantastic memories, highlighting the positive influence that successful children's authors and illustrators can have on their young readers.