Ten-year-old boy with Autism becomes one of the UK’s youngest published authors

BRIGHTON schoolboy, Frasier Cox has become one of the UK’s youngest published authors after winning a nationwide competition by leading bookseller Book People. Book People’s Bedtime Story competition set out to find the UK’s next budding author by challenging children aged between five and 11 to create a picture book on the theme of friendship.

Frasier’s winning story ‘There’s a Boy Just Like Me’ was selected from more than 1,300 entries into the nationwide competition.

The judging panel that selected Frasier’s entry was led by Head Judge Claudia Winkleman and also featured author and DJ Christian O’Connell, leading children’s illustrator, Alison Brown and representatives from Book People and Little Tiger. At a surprise lunch for the competition’s three finalists in London, Frasier was presented with an exclusive drawing of ‘There’s a Boy Just Like Me’ by Alison Brown before Claudia Winkleman revealed him as the overall winner of Book People’s Bedtime Story Competition.

Ten-year-old Frasier, who has autism, centred his entry around a hypothetical friendship with a boy who is just like him and has the same interests and childhood hopes, however the boy in question is a refugee.

As part of the prize, Frasier was given the opportunity to work with editors and designers at independent children’s publisher Little Tiger and was paired with illustrator Alison Brown, whose designs brought Frasier’s characters to life. The book is published by Little Tiger and will be sold exclusively at thebookpeople.co.uk, with proceeds from the sale of each book raising funds for Save the Children.

Head Judge Claudia Winkelman said: “I was blown away by the standard of the stories and writing from all the entries into Book People’s Bedtime Story Competition. Frasier’s story is incredibly touching and thought provoking and it’s absolutely remarkable a 10-year-old boy has written such a thoughtful story.”

Sarah Walden, Group Buying and Merchandising Director and competition judge, said: “I was extremely impressed at the quality of the writing and imagination shown in last year’s Bedtime Story competition. However, Frasier’s story stood out from among the crowd. ‘There’s a Boy Just Like Me’ contains an incredibly considerate message which really struck a chord with me.”

Winning author, Frasier Cox said: “I’m really pleased and very excited to have won The Bedtime Story Competition and can’t wait to see the final version of my story once it’s been made into a book. I love reading and writing stories and to know that my book will be read by children all over the country and help raise funds for the charity I chose, Save The Children, makes me very proud.”

Helen D’Oyley, Partnerships and Philanthropy Director at Save the Children said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Book People on the release of Frasier’s fantastic book, which sensitively raises awareness for other children, the plight of refugee children around the world.  All the money raised from the sale of the book will be used to help the most vulnerable children in the greatest need.  Save the Children fights for children every single day, so they can realise their potential and make their mark on the world, just like Frasier has done with his remarkable story.”

‘There’s a Boy Just Like Me’ will be available to buy from thebookpeople.co.uk on June 18, visit www.thebookpeople.co.uk/boyjustlikeme to purchase Frasier’s brilliant book.