Autistic boy,10, writes moving book about friendship to help child refugees
Frasier Cox, 10, has become one of the UK's youngest published authors after winning the Book People’s Bedtime Story competition.
The young boy from Brighton, who has autism, wrote There's a Boy Just Like Me, a story about a hypothetical friendship between a boy from the UK and a refugee.
The story shows that despite different lives, languages, and cultures we are all human. It reminds readers that in finding common ground we can hope to find friendship.
Frasier's story was chosen from more than 1,300 entries, and has been illustrated by leading children’s illustrator, Alison Brown.
"His autism often manifests as anxiety which, due to his caring nature, can often be triggered by his concern for others around the world," Simon Edmunds from Save The Children said.
"On learning about the plight of refugees, he became very worried and preoccupied as to how he could help. Writing his story and winning the competition and having his book published has helped to reassure him that he is helping raise awareness and money to support refugee.
"Frasier has always been a very eloquent and articulate boy who loves reading. He cares deeply for the world, the environment and people around the globe, and has a maturity and considerate nature that is above and beyond what you would expect from a 10 year old."
Frasier’s book will be launched in line with Refugee Week, a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary on the week commencing 18th June, with the 20th June being UN World Refugee Day.
There’s a Boy Just Like Me is available to buy here: www.thebookpeople.co.uk/boyjustlikeme.