Seventeen of Barbados’ most promising young storytellers were celebrated in a recent ceremony hosted at the National Library, Independence Square, as part of the 2025 Trinity Term Edition of the Make a Book Project.
The event marked a major milestone for the student authors, ages 8 to 11, whose winning compositions were selected from nearly 100 submissions, from 21 primary schools and homeschooled students, across the island.
These works are currently being transformed into illustrated children’s storybooks, which will soon be released via the National Library Service’s digital platform.
The event, attended by families, teachers, and sponsoring partners, featured remarks from Manager of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, Ryan Moseley.
Mr. Moseley commended the project’s impact on youth development and its success in engaging boys in creative writing, with 62 per cent of submissions from male students.
Among the male standouts was Ahren Ward, a two-time winner. Notably, Breanna Drakes was the most decorated author with three winning entries, while Ameliyah Gustave earned two.
St. Gabriel’s Primary School led the awards tally with seven winning entries, followed by Blackman & Gollop and Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary, each securing two prizes.
Each of the 23 Class 4 students who entered received detailed composition feedback to support their final preparations for the 2025 Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE).
During the ceremony, students were treated to a sneak peek of their storybook illustrations, which are now in the final stages of production.
The Make a Book Project is an initiative of All Global Group Barbados Ltd., a local artificial intelligence firm, in collaboration with the Barbados National Library Service, and supported by the Ministry of Educational Transformation and the Division of Culture.
The project is dedicated to fostering youth literacy and creative expression by guiding students through the journey of becoming published authors.
Following the success of this Trinity Term Edition, preparations are already underway for a Summer Camp Edition, which will once again empower a new wave of young Barbadian voices to share their stories with the nation. (PR/GIS)
Caption: Deputy Director of the National Library Service, Beverley Archer (left) and Team leader of the Make a Book Project, Curtis Padmore (right), pose with the winning authors of the 2025 Trinity Term Edition of the Make a Book Project, following a recent awards ceremony
