Many young Islanders frequently visit, read and borrow books from the Jersey Library, but not many eight-year-olds can say they have written and donated their words and stories to the selection of published novels on display…
For young Jersey author, Amelia Slabber, the world of fairies, spaghetti slides and magical libraries all feature in a “fantastic, imaginative story” which has found its own place on the bookshelves.
The chief librarian was “delighted” to present eight-year-old Amelia Slabber, with a specially made plaque to celebrate the donation of her first book – The Secret of the Library.
Amelia donated a copy to Jersey Library’s Legal Deposit Collection, so it could be saved for posterity as well as gifting it to the Children’s Library, so other young readers can borrow and enjoy The Secret of the Library.
Ed Jewell, chief librarian of Jersey Library, said: “We were thrilled when Amelie dropped her book off. It is great to see a young author, not only inspired by the library but actually writing about her own story, and wanting to share it amongst other people.”
It took Amelie three months to write the book, with her father helping with the design and layout and her mother with the spelling, after Amelia expressed she wanted to “print it like a real book”.
“I have always loved flipping through books, even before I could read. When I was younger, I would make picture books for myself and my friends,” added Amelia.
“I asked my mum if I could type out cooking recipes on her computer. I really enjoyed using my imagination with recipes, so I thought it would be fun to write my own story. Once I started, I couldn’t really stop.
“I was very proud of myself when I finished and especially when my book arrived. When I showed my book to other people, a lot of them wanted to have their own copy.”
“My parents said we should put it on Amazon, and that makes me really happy to think that other people can now also enjoy my book.”
After the success and enjoyment from her first published book, Amelia is now writing her second story, which will focus on one of the other main characters in her first book.
