Children's Laureate spends inspiring morning at Warrington Library

Award-winning performance poet Joesph Coelho was honoured with the prestigious role in 2022 by the Book Trust.

He is currently touring all the libraries in the UK, with the hope of encouraging children to spend more time reading and using the great facilities that local libraries have to offer.

The London author’s tour made one of its final pit stops in Warrington this Tuesday, at the main library on Museum Street, where he was welcomed by excited primary school children.

Speaking on the appearance, Joseph said: “It was a great morning. I shared some poems with the children.

“They did a lovely poem about a tiger who pooped in the library.”

Joseph first began writing poetry back in high school and in his early twenties began performing his poetry, working in schools and engaging with young people.

“I started out as a performance poet when I was 21,” he said. “I slowly built up my work.”

Joseph Coelho is currently on a tour of libraries around the UK, with Warrington being one of his final stops (Image: Supplied)

In 2014 he published his first poetry anthology, Werewolf Club Rules, and there after has had 10 picture books published, several short stories and more poetry books, all aimed at a young audience.

“I get inspired by all sorts of things,” he explained. “I think back to when I was a child. I look to my past for inspiration and the young people I work with as well.”

Highlighting how important libraries were to his childhood and to inspiring his own writing, Jospeh said: “I was very lucky that the place that I grew up in, there was a library just a walk away.

“I would go regularly, and I did the reading challenge when I was younger to over the summer holidays.

“Libraries are wonderful walled spaces where you do not have to buy anything. They are great for lots of things including local council services now too.”

The Children’s Laureate emphasised how it is the responsibility of everyone to ‘take advantage of the local libraries’ and what they have to offer to communities.

“You can access loads of technology in your libraries, some have 3D printers, access to the internet, children can play computer games.

“People do not realise the extent of the offering at these places.”

The Children's Laureate visited Warrington Library this week (Image: Supplied)

Joseph, who will hold the renowned title for another year before it is passed onto another established author, offered some words of wisdom to aspiring writers.

“I would advise them to carry a notebook at all times as you do not know when an idea is going to hit.

“Go to author’s events and meet the author’s that inspire you.”

The children’s author has released a new project entitled ‘Book Maker Like You’ with the aim to highlight the creative works of young people in underrepresented communities – showcasing new talent.

“This will hopefully de-mystify the publishing industry for people,” he added.

It will offer unique insights from editors, publishers, illustrators and authors within the industry through events and interviews and virtual school visits.

Summarising the experience as a Children’s Laureate, Joseph said: “It has been fantastic.

“I have got to meet so many authors, teachers and children and have been able to encourage young people to read and write more.

“I even got to interview the Queen and got to find out her interests in reading and books.”

The library tour will finish at its last stop in Liverpool this Friday.