Young writers from across the Isle of Wight have shown that imagination knows no bounds – even when limited to just ten words.
Children from libraries across the Island took part in a creative writing competition challenging them to tell a story in exactly ten words, producing a remarkable collection of “tiny tales” that captured attention for their originality and flair.
The initiative was the brainchild of Lord Louis Library children’s librarian Mandy Champken, who launched the contest earlier this year.
Inspired by children’s author and poet Joseph Coelho’s celebrated Ten Tiny Word Tales, Mandy set out to encourage young people to explore storytelling in its most concise form.
Timed to begin on World Book Day and forming part of the library service’s celebrations of the National Year of Reading, the competition quickly gained momentum across the Island’s library network.
Entries flooded in, with children asked not only to craft their 10-word stories but to accompany them with illustrations. Library staff were left impressed by both the sheer volume and the exceptional standard of submissions.
So strong was the response that entries were divided into two age categories – under 10s and over 10s – with 3 winners and 3 runners-up selected in each group.
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 culminated in a prize-giving ceremony at Lord Louis Library, marking the close of Libraries Week, a national campaign celebrating the importance of library services within local communities.
Winners and runners-up attended with their families for an afternoon of celebration, refreshments and readings, with many children bravely sharing their tiny tales aloud.
Prizes reflected both creativity and local collaboration. Winners received book tokens alongside family passes to Dinosaur Isle, generously donated by the museum, as well as certificates and library stationery.
Runners-up were also awarded Dinosaur Isle passes, plus notebooks, certificates and library-themed gifts.
Mandy said the competition had exceeded expectations, both in participation and in the quality of storytelling on display.
“We really enjoyed being able to celebrate the young people’s stories and bring everyone together to share in their achievements,”
“When we first came up with the idea, we hoped it would spark some creativity but the response has been truly heartening.
“What stood out most was how much these young writers were able to say with so few words. Some stories were funny, some were moving, others mysterious but all of them showed confidence, imagination and a real joy in storytelling.
“In a world where we’re often surrounded by distractions and noise, it’s wonderful to see children embracing reading and writing in such a thoughtful and playful way.
“Competitions like this remind us that libraries are not just about books on shelves – they are places where ideas grow, creativity is nurtured and young voices are encouraged to be heard.
“Most importantly, we hope this has inspired children to continue writing, reading and believing in the power of their own stories.”
The project forms part of wider efforts by Isle of Wight Libraries to engage young readers and promote literacy in fun and accessible ways.
For more information about library activities and services, visit www.iow.gov.uk/thelibrary or follow @IWLibraries on Facebook.
