Wandsworth writer lends his support to World Book Day with new release

Wandsworth-born writer and poet Joseph Coehlo is releasing a £1 children’s book for World Book Day, to encourage young people to get into reading.

The book, called Luna Loves World Book Day, forms part of Mr Coehlo’s series about Luna – a little girl who loves life.

The book published by Andersen Press is one of 12 created specifically for the event, by writers such as Julia Donaldson, Humza Arshad and McFly’s Tom Fletcher.

Mr Coehlo is a huge supporter of World Book Day which is on March 4 and said that being asked to be involved was a dream come true.

The 40-year-old author said: “I’ve always thought wouldn’t it be amazing to have a World Book Day book?”

The story, illustrated by Fiona Lumbers, follows Luna who has big plans for celebrating World Book Day, but unfortunately things don’t go to plan when she rips her costume.

Mr Coehlo said: “Some other surprising things happen, but I don’t want to give too much away.

“But it’s your perfect World Book Day with your author and illustrator actually turning up at her school, and sharing their words and pictures.”

Making books accessible for young people is a cause that’s close to the poet’s heart, after growing up reliant on the local library.

He said: “I definitely put reading and access to books as one of the main factors in me becoming a writer, because I didn’t grow up in a house chock full of books but my mum always took us to the local library.

“World Book Day is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate books and to raise awareness about the importance of books.

“And the fact that they’re so accessible. It’s a pound and you know that every kid will have a book token and they can just go and get one – and for many children this might be the only book they own, or the first book that they own, and I find that hugely powerful and actually quite emotive. There’s something really lovely about that.”

Other books in the series include Luna Loves Library Day, Luna Loves Art and Luna Loves Dance which will be released later this year. Mr Coehlo said: “It opened up this world of this little girl who loves life and loves exploring things. It’s been really nice to work on and show people the joy and pleasure available in life through hobbies.”

World Book Day has a fully digital programme of events that can be enjoyed from home. Events will be available to watch live or on demand on worldbookday.com.