A British boy could be the world's youngest author after releasing a book aged THREE - and he's even launched his own publishing house.

Talented Esse Loewenthal brought out his first published picture book 'Baby Fox' in 2023 - a story about the misadventures of a young cub and jellyfish.

Esse, from Enfield, north London, is now five and has founded his own publishing house, British Isles Publishing.

Dad Sholi Loewenthal, 42, says he couldn't be prouder of his son, who learnt to read at one-a-half.

The self-employed web designer said: "He started telling stories and they were really good, so he decided to record them. He has been doing that ever since every bedtime. "

"I transcribed some of the first stories with him and we used AI to illustrate one of his Baby Fox stories. "

"He wanted to publish his book so that other children could read his story. When we didn't hear back from any of the publishers he immediately said, ‘I want to make my own publishing house.'"

"He insisted on calling it British Isles Publishing - I think because his favourite puzzle at the time was a British Isles puzzle."

"He has literally hundreds of stories that he could be publishing. We are not a very well-off family, so we are trying our best to get more of them published."

"He just really enjoys it. I think if I was doing more to help him then he could achieve more- but this is all him pushing for these things to happen."

Saeed Rashed AlMheiri is officially the world's youngest author, having published his book The Elephant Saeed and the Bear at the age of 4 years and 218 days.

Guinness World Records told Esse previously that he can't claim the record until 1,000 copies of his 30-page book - which is available online - have been sold.

Unfortunately the young publisher is yet to hit this milestone, but he is making good progress with around 700 copies sold so far.

Since publishing, Esse got the chance to present his book to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and has met with his local MP Feryal Clarke.

Esse has also now started a YouTube channel where he talks about books, rockets, and other topics that interest him such as the carbon cycle.

Being homeschooled, the young publisher has dreams of running story workshops in local schools where kids take turns making up stories.

Sholi added: "I am very proud. When he first started making stories I would well up inside hearing them. They are so interesting, inspiring, and moving. "

"On a personal level it has been very moving to experience that firsthand. "

"He was always very unusual. When he was two, he knew all the makes and models of different cars."

"He is very intelligent but also, he is not introverted or serious. He is a very normal child who loves playing with other children and being silly. He is very outgoing."

In his latest venture, Esse has started the Very Young Authors Competition where one lucky winner aged eight or younger will get their own story published.

Applications are now open, with the competition planned to close on March 5.

Sholi, a dad-of-two, added: "Esse loves sharing what he is doing. He really wants to publish other young authors. "

"He wants young people around the country to know about his competition so that some young people will participate."

In the future, Esse has hopes of releasing his second book ‘Baby Fox: from Nigeria to New Earth' which can be found on YouTube.

Enter the Very Young Authors Competition here: https://www.britishislespublishing.com/very-young-authors-competition