Children on the Throne

From Waterstones Children's Laureate 2022-2024, Joseph Coelho, comes this gentle, poetic story about climate change, working together, building communities and living in sync with nature. In this moving, hopeful story, three children are gazing down from their tower block windows at leaves hitting the hot pavements. The summer is hotter than ever before, and the trees are tricked into thinking it is autumn. They wonder why the grown-ups are pleased by the good weather, rather than worried for the trees.

A wise tree shows the children how to conjure rain and look after the forest, but in bravely finding a short-term solution, they inspire and awaken a long-term commitment in the grown ups around them.

Together, they all rediscover the hidden power of reconnecting with nature, setting a topsy-turvy world the right way up, and protecting it for future generations. This important first look at climate change and protecting the natural world is brought to life by sweeping, emotive illustrations from Richard Johnson, close collaborator with Coelho on Our Tower. A soft and subtle way to highlight the importance of climate change, this beautiful book highlights the lesser-known signs of global warming in urban environments, providing children aged 5+ with details about what to look out for in the world around them.