GenZ and GenAlpha book spills the lingo

The book has been made in partnership between the Youth Commission, Art for Guernsey and children across Guernsey, and had its official launch at the Art for Guernsey building on Mansell Street at the weekend.

‘The book explains GenZ and GenAlpha slang words to help bridge the gap between generations,’ said Sian Jones, education mental health practioner for the Youth Commission, who has helped put the book together.

‘Each word has an explanation, illustration and poem all written by a student from one of our schools.’

She added that the island could be very proud of the very talented kids who had contributed.

‘Some of the work produced has been absolutely incredible,’ she said.

‘It was a really fun project to put together and it was really led by the young people, in terms of the words and the art materials used. Combining the art with poetry has been a really good way of boosting creativity.’

The Youth Commission and Art for Guernsey worked with children from years 7 to 10 to put the book together.

Out of more than 150 submissions, 60 poems and illustrations were chosen.

The book is now available on Amazon and the organisers are hopeful it will be available from local bookshops soon.

Many of the children whose work is featured gathered for the launch party, including 13-year-old Summer Corner.

‘I chose the phrase “Smol”, it means small and cute. I’ve used it ever since I was young as I just love small adorable things,’ she said.

‘The first line of the poem came really quickly but putting the rest together, even though it was only four lines long, was really hard.’

Riley Clarke, also 13, submitted a poem and illustration for the slang term ‘Bratz energy’, meaning confident.

‘I chose it as its a phrase I like and I like to use,’ she said.

‘I would definitely recommend the book to my parents to help them understand me and my generation.’