Jersey Post has launched its first book Once Upon a Letter, a collection of short stories written by children in Jersey, inspired by the timeless art of letter writing.
Featuring more than 30 imaginative stories, the book brings together entries from Jersey Post’s Once Upon a Letter writing competition, which was held last Autumn and invited children age 5 to 11 to create a story in the form of a handwritten letter. From magical adventures and heartfelt messages to funny, mysterious and wonderfully original tales, the collection showcases the creativity of young Islanders and the power of putting pen to paper.
The competition was launched to encourage children to rediscover the joy of letter writing in an increasingly digital world. More than 300 children took part, with entries judged on creativity, plot and originality. The standard of writing was so inspiring that Jersey Post decided to publish a selection of the stories in a special book for the community to enjoy.
Mark Siviter, CEO of Jersey Post, said: “There is something incredibly special about receiving a handwritten letter. It can make us feel connected, transport us into another world, and leave a lasting impression in a way that digital messages often cannot. The creativity shown by Jersey’s young writers has been truly inspiring, and we are delighted to showcase their stories in this beautiful collection.”
Local children’s author Penny Byrne and Nicola Mackereth, Education Programme Manager from Every Child Our Future, were among the competition judges, alongside representatives from Jersey Post.
The book will be sold in aid of Jersey Post’s 2026 Charity of the Year, Friends of Jersey Oncology (FOJO).
