Little Jack draws out a book deal

Six-year-old drawing sensation Jack Henderson has won a book deal after his colourful pictures became an internet hit.

The youngster has raised nearly 17,000 for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation since launching the website www.jackdrawsanything.com, where he took drawing commissions in exchange for donations.

Now a book of his work is to be published by Hodder Children's Books in time for Christmas, with a share of the profits going to the charity.

His dad, Ed Henderson, said: "It's probably the most exciting news we've ever had and we had to keep it to ourselves. We told Jack a couple of weeks ago and we figured we could trust him to keep a secret.

"His reaction was to fall on the floor. Whenever you mention it to him, he's excited, but I think until he actually holds the physical copy in his hands it won't be real."

Jack, from Prestonpans, East Lothian, launched his fundraising campaign in March with an initial target of 100. He aimed to get family and friends to chip in and give a small boost to the hospital, which treats his two-year-old brother Noah for chest problems.

When word spread via Facebook and Twitter, however, he was inundated with drawing requests, and by the time he closed for submissions just two weeks later, he had received more than 600.

He completed his 200th drawing at the weekend, and expects to finish his orders by the end of the summer.

Recent pictures include a snail getting a ride from a tortoise and a talking, walking cookie with a flower and a hat.

Mr Henderson said: "We're still having great fun with it, it's turned in to a great dad and Jack project."

Publishing director Anne McNeill said: "The joy of a book like this is the authentic creativity and kindness of the child at the heart of it. We're so proud to publish it."

Chief executive of The Sick Kids Friends Foundation, Maureen Harrison, said: "Little did we know when Jack decided that he would do drawings for friends to raise funds for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation that Jack Draws Anything would become an internet phenomenon and now a book.

"We are thrilled that Jack's wonderful talent has achieved such acclaim."

Jack Draws Anything: The Little Boy with the Big Art, will be published on October 6.