Heart-warming story of autism and kindness published by Margate dad

Local dad, Tim Johnston from Margate, father to Louis (8) and Otis (1), put pen to paper to write a story about kindness which touches on the topic of autism so that his two children could enjoy the book whilst incorporating the values into their everyday lives.

With autism being a topic close to Tim’s heart because his eldest son Louis was diagnosed with autism just before his 2^nd birthday, he decided to write a sweet story about kindness and living day to day with autism as that’s what his family has to do on a daily basis.

 

 

 

 

Titled ‘The Penguin Family’ the story is dedicated to Louis and little brother Otis. Tim tells us how “Otis and Louis are the best of friends and they both help each other out, they have a great bond” and this kindness is reflected in the book.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim goes on to describes his children’s love of penguins after a family trip to Wingham Wildlife Park, “penguins are now Louis and Otis’ favourite animal”. The endearing story tells the story of Little Penguin helping Brother Penguin with everyday tasks such as tying his shoelaces and brushing his hair which is ever so touching to read and a main talking point of the book as it encourages everyone to show kindness and gives readers an understanding of day to day life living with Autism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After reading the story to some friends and family and them requesting that they have a copy published for them as well, Tim decided to try to publish more copies of the book to raise some money for the Foreland Fields School which is the school in which Louis is a pupil. Tim tells us “The Foreland Fields School are amazing and have helped Louis so much from speech, to writing, and many other areas too” all money raised will go on to greatly help support the amazing work in which the school does. The school ‘caters for around 200 pupils with Profound, Severe and Complex Needs including ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder)’ and where children with profound needs may struggle in a mainstream school, Foreland Fields School believe that ‘all pupils are entitled to high quality education and care’ and cater to the differing needs of their pupils.

With copies already sold in America, Japan, Ireland, as well as all over the UK, just under 200 copies out of the 300 printed have been snatched up by keen buyers so far wanting to read the heart-warming story of The Penguin Family raising awareness of autism. Tim would like to raise as much money as he possibly can so he will be getting more copies printed to meet demand and copies will continue to be sold for as long as it continues raising money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brilliantly illustrated by local designer Russell Goldsmith, creative director of TRACE Creative Agency Ltd, Russell brought the story of Louis and Otis to life as a personal project as he and Tim have been friends for years. Russell tells us “It was an honour to help Tim with the illustrations for the book. It’s for a great cause and it was fun creating the characters and scenes.”

 

 

 

To support the cause and pick up a copy of the book The Penguin Family is now available at:

• The Mad Hatters Tea Rooms (Margate Old Town)
• Little Bit (Margate Old Town)
• Hooked On Books (Margate High Street)
• Joke shop (Margate High Street)
• Curious Cupcake Cafe (Margate Old Town)
• Proper Coffee House (Margate High Street)

Ask in shop(s) for details.

 

The Penguin Family is just £7 from the local shops listed above, or £9.99 delivered via PayPal at https://www.paypal.me/timjohnston88/9.99

With all profits going to Foreland Fields School, grab yourself a copy of the inspirational and heart-warming Penguin Family now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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