Autistic boy illustrates author's new book cover

A 13-year-old who uses drawing as a way to soothe his autism and ADHD symptoms has illustrated the cover of a new children's book.

Theo, from Bristol, was given the opportunity after a chance encounter at his school with children's author B. Ware, which is the pseudonym for writer Jo Stacey.

One of his illustrations has since been used on the front cover of her latest book, Warning, May Contain Dragons.

Theo's mum, Katharine, explained he had "always loved" drawing and had used it as a way to "soothe himself" from about the age of five.

Theo said he first met Ms Stacey when she visited his school to run a workshop with the students.

"I thought I'd do a 'welcome to my school' card and she thought the illustrations on it were really good," he said.

"Every few weeks on a Friday we would have a meeting and I would sketch out her ideas.

"I think she may want me to do the third book and I'm really happy to," he added.

Katherine said her son's early years were "very difficult" and drawing became something that helped him to cope.

"It was a way for him to communicate," she said.

"He would draw all the time and always loved cartoons like Beano and Asterix.

"I think he drew inspiration from that."

She said it had been "unbelievably amazing" to see him being able to just "do his thing" with the author.

"He was just in his comfort zone," she said.

"Seeing the whole process has been wonderful - we're so proud of him."

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