A British girl who released a book has officially become the Guinness World Record holder for world’s youngest published author—at just five years old.
Bella J. Dark received the official confirmation this week from Guinness 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.
Her mother and father—a chef and plasterer—thought it was just “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 is now the Guinness World Records Title Holder.
“You are now eligible for one complimentary Guinness World Records certificate. Congratulations, you are officially amazing!”
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has bought my book so far!” said a delighted Bella.
Her story features a feline named Snowy 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 other retailers—in paperback or Kindle.
Mum Chelsie Syme said, “We are just so proud of Bella and honestly can’t believe how amazing this is.
“She has always thrived off positivity from people (and) just loves reading and drawing.
It all started when she went to her mother 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.”
They then went to a book fair and someone said they wanted to publish it.
It is about a cat that goes out and gets lost and realizes she shouldn’t go out without her mom—so Chelsie loved the safety message.
She illustrated it with her own drawings, except one contributed by her older sister Lacey-May.
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Bella-Jay already has eyes on further books, with planning already underway for a follow-up, Snowy’s Birthday Party.
She earned her new world record, besting Abhijita Gupta—who was hailed as the world’s youngest published author last year at age seven.
Bella-Jay’s book is available in the UK on Ginger Frye Press.
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