AN award-winning poet and writer will visit 1500 Scottish school pupils this week as part of a charity’s book tour.
Joseph Coelho has already hosted events at West Lothian and East Renfrewshire primary schools this week, and will visit four more in Renfrewshire in the next two days. His poetry and writing crafting sessions, dramatic readings and work with children is part of the Children’s Book Tour, supported by Scottish Friendly and organised by the Scottish Book Trust.
Coelho, who was born in London, said: “I am delighted to be touring Scotland and I am hugely excited to see what fantastic poetic ideas will be formed as we explore poetry, different worlds, thoughts and feelings.
“I’m always left awed by the imaginations demonstrated in schools by both pupils and teachers and I couldn’t wait to discover what poetic delights Scotland had in store for me.”
Coelho took part in Bookbug’s Big Picnic in the Hidden Gardens in Glasgow yesterday.
His work with primary classes is focused on Overheard In A Tower Block, poems which explore how he grew up, as well as Luna Loves Library Day and his latest picture book, If All the World Were (illustrated by Allison Colpoys), which deals with the loss of a family member.
The poet won the Centre For Literacy’s Primary Poetry Award in 2015 for Werewolf Club Rules, with Luna Loves Library Day was chosen as one of the top 25 books to share for World Book Day.
Scottish Book Trust CEO Marc Lambert said: “As a performance poet, Joseph is skilled at captivating his audience, and he is sure to inspire young people with the power of spoken word.”
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