Children of the Throne

From award-winning author and Waterstones Children's Laureate 2022–2024, Joseph Coelho, comes a poetic story about climate change, working together, building communities and living in tune with nature.

On the hottest day of the year, three children watch from their tower block windows as golden leaves drift down to the baking pavement. The trees, tricked by the unseasonal heat, think autumn has arrived. While the grown-ups delight in the sunshine, the children worry for the trees – why isn’t anyone else concerned?

A wise tree shows them how to conjure rain and care for the forest, but by bravely finding a short-term solution, they inspire something much bigger – a long-term commitment from the adults around them. Together, they rediscover the hidden power of nature, setting a topsy-turvy world the right way up and protecting it for the future.

This moving and hopeful look at climate change is brought to life by the sweeping, emotive illustrations of Richard Johnson, who previously worked with Coelho on Our Tower. It highlights the lesser-known signs of climate change in urban environments, helping children aged 5+ notice the changes happening in the world around them.

An inspiring story to remind children that even small actions can spark big change – and that by working together, we can help protect the world for generations to come.