Jayce Joyce has officially been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's Youngest Editor of a Published Anthology, thanks to his work on Our Stories Our World.
The remarkable publication brings together 20 original stories written by 20 young authors from across the UK, making it the country's first nationally curated child-led anthology.
Created over eight months, the 50-page collection celebrates imagination, diversity and inclusion while giving children the opportunity to become published authors.
The anthology was inspired by the legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah and features a wide variety of stories and poems covering friendship, culture, family, football, identity and adventure. From tales celebrating multicultural Britain to imaginative fantasy stories and heartfelt reflections on personal experiences, every contribution demonstrates the creativity of young minds when given the chance to shine.
Jayce's achievement arrives at a time when children's reading habits are under increasing pressure. Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that reading for pleasure among young people has fallen to its lowest level in almost 20 years, with only around one in five children now reading every day.
Rather than simply highlighting the problem, Jayce hopes to be part of the solution.
A literacy advocate, Mensa member and recipient of the prestigious BBC Blue Peter Gold Badge, his passion for books began almost as soon as he could hold one. By the age of four he had already published his first book series, and his latest Guinness World Records title is another milestone in an already remarkable journey.
More importantly, Jayce wants other children to discover the confidence and creativity that writing can bring.
His growing Books from Children to Children initiative has evolved into a national child-led literacy movement, encouraging youngsters not only to read stories but to write and publish their own. Through school visits, workshops and community events, the initiative aims to inspire children to become confident readers, writers and future leaders.
To build on the success of the anthology, Jayce has now launched the 2026 Books from Children to Children Summer Writing Competition, inviting young people across the UK to swap screen time for story time during the school holidays. Successful entrants will have the chance to see their work professionally published in next year's anthology.
In an age dominated by digital entertainment, Jayce Joyce's remarkable achievement is a timely reminder that a single story can still spark a lifetime love of reading, writing and imagination.
