Joseph Coelho interview

Joseph Coelho is an awardwinning performance poet, children’s author and playwright and is the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate. Joseph grew up in and around Putney, and this year in celebration of his new picture book Luna Loves Christmas a gorgeous story trail featuring illustrations by Fiona Lumbers will take over the town in time for Christmas. Joseph will be switching on Putney’s Christmas Lights on Friday 24th November.

We spoke to Joseph about Luna Loves Christmas, and his Putney memories.

When did you start writing?

I fell in love with poetry at Elliott Secondary School (now the Ark Academy). I played Balthasar in an outdoor school production of Romeo and Juliet, I was wooed by Shakespeare’s language and, not having many lines, learnt the lines of the other cast members, enjoying the feel of the language.

I wrote a poem for a school competition in year 8 inspired by a documentary I had seen about bears being treated badly, I forget the poem, but remember the title… the title was ‘Unbearable’! Alas I didn’t win the competition but had so much fun writing that I kept at it.

What was the inspiration behind the Luna Loves series?

The inspiration was two fold. The wonderful libraries I grew up around especially West hill library which was a magical space with a brilliant professional librarian never short of a recommendation. Secondly, a desire to show a family that is loving and together despite living apart. There are so many different families in our communities, it felt important that children get to not only see their families reflected but also to understand that others might have family situations different to their own, but no less lacking in love.

Do you have a favourite Putney memory?

So many- seeing my first film with friends at the Odeon without an adult present, and cinema visits then becoming a wonderful treat to enjoy with friends. Volunteering in the Oxfam shop on Putney High Street to complete my Duke Of Edinburgh Awards. Buying comics upstairs in Putney Exchange. First treading the boards at Group 64at Putney Arts Theatre in ‘Oliver Twist’. Lots of wonderful memories.

How excited are you to switch on the Christmas lights?

I am hugely excited to switch on the Christmas lights. I have many fond memories of coming into Putney after school seeing the lights and decorations in the shop windows and counting the Christmas trees

I could spy from the road side.

PUTNEY CHRISTMAS GUIDE