Joseph Coelho

In a Nutshell: A cute and meaningful picture book focussing on the power of one of the most important words in the English language: ‘Sorry.’

Written from the point of view of a little girl, the story tells us how, when her best friend and she yelled at each other on the playground, a huge ‘Argument’ (who looks like a giant purple monster) came and sat in between them. As they continued making faces and calling each other bad words (no bad word explicitly mentioned in the book – show more don’t worry!), the Argument grows and grows until it is gargantuan and they can’t even play properly because it has enveloped the whole playground and even stretched onto their other friends. However, when the emotions of the first two kids overwhelm them, a little ‘Sorry’ pops out, and all the friends realise that only a ‘Sorry‘ has the power to turn the giant Argument smaller.

The premise is absolutely simple and absolutely beautiful. Children don’t understand how arguments can escalate and spoil the day not just for them but even for those who weren’t directly involved in the fight. Picturing the argument as the purple Argument monster of this book will help them visualise the effect of arguments, and also see how the Argument monster relishes growing larger as the kids’ fights grow louder.

What I also enjoyed is how the message isn’t shoved into the kids’ minds. The importance of a ‘Sorry’ comes naturally in the flow of the story, and it isn’t forcibly reiterated. Also, the apologies are mutual, and we are never told who began the fight. This was the best part. After all, the one who continues the argument is as much at fault as the one who initiates it.

Joseph Coelho (UK’s Children's Laureate of 2022) is a poet, and though the book is written in simple prose, his lyrical phrasing is clearly visible in the text. I love his way of using adjectives to enhance the impact of the lines almost in a visual way. The font is also used to emphasise the words that create imagery.

The artwork is quirky and fun, and inclusive as well. The expressions of the kids and the Argument monster are fun to watch.

Overall, a funny story with a lovely message. Definitely recommended. The book will work well for readers aged 3-6.

4.25 stars.

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the DRC of “One Little Word”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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British poet and playwright Joseph Coelho and Australian illustrator Allison Colpoys join forces in this poignant picture-book about a young child's loving relationship with her grandfather, and her grief and sense of loss, when he dies. Frequently together, grandfather and granddaughter find something to do, no matter the season. From walking in the park to repairing and playing with a toy racetrack, they have plenty of fun together, and create many memories. When the grandfather is gone, show more the girl must gather those memories together, recalling her lost relative with love...

Originally published in the UK as If All the World Were..., and then republished here in the states as Grandpa's Stories, this is a book I sought out largely for the illustrations, having enjoyed Colpoys' artwork on two earlier titles from author Davina Bell (Captain Starfish and All the Ways to be Smart). I see that this team, Coelho and Colpoys, have a second title coming out later this year (2021), entitled My Beautiful Voice, which I hope to track down as well. In any case, I was certainly not disappointed in the visuals here, which are delightful, featuring a gorgeous color palette and beautifully stylized figures. I particularly liked the scenes in which the girl imagines that all the world is like this or that - dreams, deep space, stories - as the perspective there seems to draw back, showing the girl in her own imaginative world. The story here is poignant, and addresses a common childhood experience - the loss of a grandparent - with sensitivity and compassion. I wasn't thrilled with the grandfather's remark at the beginning of the book that the little girl is too old to hold hands - is one every too old for such a thing? - but it didn't ruin the story for me, as I interpreted it as him just being a little bit crusty. It's clear, from the rest of the tale, that he loves his granddaughter very much, and is devoted to her happiness. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories addressing the loss of a grandparent, as well as to fellow admirers of Allison Colpoys' work. show less

If All the World Were... by Joseph Coelho is a poignant tale about a young girl facing the death of her grandfather. Told through lyrical prose and gorgeous artwork, we see her favourite memories of being with her grandfather, expressed through seasonal imagery. I'm going to be honest. This book brought tears to my eyes. It was my paternal grandmother who I was closest to in all my family. When she passed, it devastated me. I'm thankful for all the time I had with her. I read this with my show more cubs, which led to discussions regarding death. As a concept, it's not foreign to them. We've had furbabies pass. But this seems to have brought the full realisation that I or Jonas, or others in the family, won't always be around.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. show less

This book was especially moving to our family having lost my husband and my grandchildren's grandfather less than two years ago. This book depicts a young girl's love for her granddad and how they spend time together, her wishing it would never end. When he dies, she copes with the situation and uses a notebook he made for her to write and draw her memories while dealing with her grief. The book is written by poet and playwright Joe Coelho with wonderful illustrations by Allison Colpoys. show more This is a wonderful book that tackles a touchy topic: death. Death is never easy but this book would be a great help to any child. A wonderful addition to a family library where they will eventually have to deal with death and the grief that comes with it. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. show less