A British girl who released a book aged five has officially become the Guinness World Record holder for world’s youngest published author.
Bella-Jay received the official confirmation today from Guinness (13 June) after selling over 2,000 copies.
The young girl from Weymouth, Dorset, stunned her family last year when she told them she was going to write a book.
Parents professional chef Chelsie Syme, 27 and plasterer Myles Dark, 30, thought it was “one of those things” children say.
But they are “extremely proud” of Bella after she turned her dream into a reality with her book titled The Lost Cat.
An email from Guinness World Records said: “We are thrilled to inform you that your application for Youngest person to publish a book (female) has been successful and [Bella-Jay] is now the Guinness World Records Title Holder.
“You are now eligible for one complimentary Guinness World Records certificate. Congratulations, you are officially amazing!”.
A delighted Bella-Jay said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who has bought my book so far!”
Bella’s story features a feline who goes on adventures and soon learns an important lesson.
Ginger Fyre Press produced the book, which has been available to purchase on Amazon and Waterstones for £4.
Last year Abhijita Gupta was hailed as the world’s youngest published author – aged seven.
Chelsie said: “We are just so proud of Bella and honestly can’t believe how amazing this is.
”We’re also so grateful of the support and acknowledgment she has already received so far and she deserves this so much.
“She has always thrived off positivity from people – she just loves reading and drawing.
“I am just really proud of her, I did not think it was going to go this far so I’m just proud and want to see her get the acknowledgement she deserves.
“It all started when she came to me one day and said she was going to write a book.
“I thought it would just be some scribble and you would say ‘wow’ like you do as a parent.
“We then went to a book fair and someone there said they wanted to publish it.”
Her mum continued: “It is about a cat that goes out getting lost and realises she should not go out without her mum, so it has got a good message to it.
“She has done the all the drawings by herself apart from one towards the back her older sister Lacey-May produced.”
Bella-Jay already has eyes on further books with planning already underway for book number 2: ‘Snowy’s Birthday Party’.
Bella-Jay’s book is available here: https://www.gingerfyrepress.com/store?fbclid=IwAR3pY1Of0ozefdFQZ_RDYGFO1TqZvXsElcsGP1Q8J5q7_gt0DhMNR3DDodE