Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Claudia Winkleman selects refugee story from nine-year-old boy with autism as winner of National Bedtime Story Competition
Brighton boy, Frasier Cox has been announced as the winner of Book People’s Bedtime Story Competition. Frasier’s winning story ‘There’s a Little Boy the Same as Me’ was selected from more than 1,300 entries into the nationwide competition which challenged young authors aged between five and 11 to create a book on the theme of friendship.
Frasier’s entry was then chosen as the overall winner from the three age group category winners. The other winners were seven-year-old Jackson Mendoza from Southend and 11-year-old Amy Chick form Gloucester. As the overall winner of Book People’s Bedtime Story Competition, Frasier will get the chance to work with publisher Little Tiger and top illustrator, Alison Brown to turn his story into a picture book which will be available exclusively from thebookpeople.co.uk in 2018. Frasier, will also receive £250 in books to enjoy at home plus £250 worth of books for his school.
The judging panel was led by Head Judge Claudia Winkleman and also featured author and radio DJ Christian O’Connell and representatives from Book People and Little Tiger Press.
Nine-year-old Frasier, who has autism, centred his entry around a hypothetical friendship with a boy who is just like him. However, the boy in question is a refugee who shares the same interests and childhood hopes as Frasier.
Frasier enjoyed a day out in London where he got a chance to meet judges Claudia Winkleman and Christian O’Connell and was presented with an exclusive drawing of ‘There’s a Little Boy the Same as Me’ by Alison Brown. Before being announced as the overall winner of Book People’s Bedtime Story Competition by head judge Claudia Winkleman at an exclusive lunch.
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 9-year-old boy has written such a thoughtful story. Frasier is a very worthy overall winner and I can’t wait to see the final version with Alison Brown’s brilliant illustrations once it’s been made into a real book next year.”
Campaign ambassador and judge, Christian O’Connell, commented: “I really enjoyed reading the entries from this year’s competition, but Frasier’s story was my favourite. The fact a nine-year-old boy showed us what so many people and politicians forget, that we are all connected in this world. We have more in common than we think. Such a big-hearted idea and story all told in a beautifully moving poem. Frasier is a very, very special young man. This actually moved me to tears the first time I read it.”
Leading children’s author, Alison Brown said: “If a top adult author tried to write these sentiments in a child’s voice, I don’t think they could have done a better job! It just sounds like it comes from the heart, very authentic and moving. The imagined scenes make for lots of lovely images, too.”
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 this year’s Bedtime Story competition. However, Frasier’s story stood out from among the crowd. ‘There’s a Little Boy the Same as Me’ contains an incredibly considerate message which really struck a chord with me. We’re delighted to be able to bring Frasier’s story to life and celebrate his unique and compassionate perspective on one of the most pertinent social issues of our time.”
Winning author, Frasier Cox said: “I’m really pleased and very excited to have won The Bedtime Story Competition and can’t wait my story being made in to a real book. I love reading and writing stories and to know that my book will be read by children all over the country makes me very proud.”
The emerging themes from this year’s 1,300+ entries saw a variety of characters star in the tales including unicorns and mermaids, imaginary friends and many children wanting to visit the moon or explore space in a rocket. Many stories focused on anxieties about starting a new school, plus stories of friendship with pets, teddies and childhood toys.This year’s Book People’s Bedtime Story Competition follows 2016’s inaugural award which was won by London schoolgirl Isabel Harris whose winning entry, The Moon Man was published and available to buy at thebookpeople.co.uk for £4.99. Since going on sale on 1 June, the book has become Book People’s fastest selling title of 2017 so far.
‘There’s a Little Boy the Same as Me’ will be available to buy from thebookpeople.co.uk in summer 2018, visit www.thebookpeople.co.uk/littleboy to register your interest in purchasing Frasier’s brilliant book.