By Isle of Wight Observer
Young writers from across the Island have been celebrated after taking part in a creative writing competition, which challenged them to tell a story in exactly ten words.
Children from libraries across the Island submitted “tiny tales”, along with illustrations, as part of a contest launched by Lord Louis Library children’s librarian, Mandy Champken.
The idea was inspired by children’s author and poet, Joseph Coelho’s Ten Tiny Word Tales, and was timed to begin on world book day, as part of the library service’s National Year of Reading celebrations.
The response was so strong that entries were split into two age categories, under-10s and over-10s, with three winners and three runners-up chosen in each.
Development librarian, Louise Emery, said: “It was no easy decision choosing the winners.
“Every entry had something special about it. The ideas, humour, and emotion, packed into such a small number of words, were incredible, and they really demonstrated just how imaginative and creative young people on the Island are.”
The competition ended with a prize-giving ceremony at Lord Louis Library, marking the close of Libraries Week. Winners and runners-up attended with their families for refreshments, readings, and a celebration of their work.
Winners received book tokens, family passes to Dinosaur Isle, certificates and library stationery, while runners-up also received Dinosaur Isle passes, notebooks, certificates and library-themed gifts.
Mandy said: “What stood out most was how much these young writers were able to say with so few words.”
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