Eight-year-old Jayce Joyce from Sutton Coldfield has officially been recognised as the world's youngest editor of a published anthology, earning a Guinness World Record. The record follows the release of 'Our Stories Our World', a 50-page anthology featuring 20 original stories written by children from across the UK, marking the first nationally curated child-led publication in the country.
A record-breaking achievement
Jayce, a Mensa member with an IQ of 150, expressed his pride in the achievement, stating: "I'm incredibly proud to have achieved a Guinness World Records title, but what makes me happiest is knowing that children across the country are seeing their stories published." The anthology took eight months to compile after a nationwide search to discover Britain's next generation of young storytellers. Stories in the collection include 'One Big Awesome World', 'Racism in Football', and 'Veda's Big Indian Adventure'.
Impact on literacy
The project has evolved into 'Books from Children to Children', the UK's first national child-led literacy movement. Jayce continues to champion early literacy through school visits, workshops, and literary festivals. The record comes at a critical time, as research by the National Literacy Trust shows children's enjoyment of reading is at one of its lowest levels in nearly two decades. Jayce urged: "Instead of spending all summer scrolling, why not spend some time storytelling?"
