One Little Word

Joseph Coelho author Ms Allison Colpoys illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Quarto Publishing PLC

Published:3rd Aug '23

£12.99

Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.

One Little Word cover

*Sunday Times: One to Watch*

This beautiful and moving picture book from Waterstones Children's Laureate, Joseph Coelho, tells the story of how a big, hairy argument gets in between two best friends.


"The argument came from nowhere.
It sat huge and bloated
in the middle of the playground
between me and my best friend."


This big hairy monster appears out of the blue one day, splitting up the best friends and growing bigger and bigger, until it starts to ruin all the children in the playground's fun.

Together, they learn how to shrink the monster until it vanishes completely, to the point where they can't even remember what it looks like!

Coelho's gentle and lyrical verse pair perfectly with Allison Colpoys' beautiful illustrations to create a book which will be treasured by young readers.

This is an ode to the power of an apology and the importance of saying sorry, and to treasuring a special bond that runs deeper than even the friends realised.

“The children’s laureate’s engaging contribution to the picture book trend for blobby creatures that represent feelings. “Sorry” makes anger vanish. With lively illustrations of the playground.” * The Sunday Times - One To Watch *
“This relatable tale explains the importance of apologising – and then forgetting.” * The Sun *
“A big hairy monster comes between two friends in this rhyming story about friendship and the power of saying sorry by the current UK Children’s Laureate.” * The Bookseller *
A touching story about the importance of friendship and the power of saying sorry.”  * The Bookseller - Black Issue *

“The perfect platform for discussing conflicts in friendships.”

* WRD Magazine *

ISBN: 9780711279094

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 350g

32 pages