The Unforgotten Coat

Winner of the 2012 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, this is a stunning and magical story of a summer of friendship which also explore the plight of refugees by the 2024 – 2026 Children's Laureate.

From the award-winning author of Millions comes a story of friendship in the midst of adversity. Winner of the 2012 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, this magical and poignant book is enriched by stunning and atmospheric Polaroid photos.

Two refugee brothers from Mongolia are determined to fit in with their Liverpool schoolmates, but bring so much of Mongolia to Bootle that their new friend and guide, Julie, is hard-pressed to know truth from fantasy. Told with the humour, warmth and brilliance of detail which characterizes Frank Cottrell Boyce's writing, readers will be transported from the streets of Liverpool to the steppe of Mongolia.

Winner of Guardian Children's Fiction Award 2012
Short-listed for Costa Children's Book Award 2011

Illustrated with captivating photographs, this is a treasure in itself. -- Sally Morris Daily Mail
Laugh-out-loud funny, heartfelt and full of humanity and warmth, this is just wonderful -- Cathy Cassidy S Magazine
The sense of transience is beautifully portrayed […] The blurred Polaroid photographs that are threaded throughout the narrative invite the reader to reflect on the different ways in which people perceive the world. […] The book explores who our worldview can be challenged and shaped by the people we encounter, and acts as an important contribution towards helping us to better understand the precarious position of refugees. EAL Journal
“beautiful book” WRD

Frank Cottrell Boyce is a multi-award-winning children’s author and screenwriter, and the UK Children's Laureate 2024-2026. He won the 2012 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and was awarded an IBBY Honour for The Unforgotten Coat, and he won the 2004 Carnegie Medal for his first children’s book, Millions, which was made into a film by Danny Boyle. Frank worked with Danny Boyle again several years later on scripting the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. Frank is the author of many books for children, including Framed, Cosmic and The Astounding Broccoli Boy, and has been shortlisted for numerous awards, including the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. He is the author of three official sequels to Ian Fleming’s classic novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He lives with his family in Merseyside.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.