Edinburgh schoolgirl designs winning illustration for JK Rowling's new book

Eight-year-old Caitlyn Mote has had her drawing hand-picked by Harry Potter author JK Rowling to feature in her latest novel.

Caitlyn from Portobello was one of 32 winners chosen out of over 18,000 entries which poured in from around the globe.

The talented schoolgirl from Portobello was one of 32 winners chosen out of 18,000 entries which poured in from around the globe.

New novel The Ickabog is Edinburgh-based Rowling’sfirst children’s book since her series about the boy wizard skyrocketed her to fame.

Released chapter by chapter during the lockdown Caitlyn said she was ‘excited’ to win the competition as all her ‘hard work’ has paid off.

Caitlyn chose to draw the character Captain Goodfellow captured in chains in the depths of a dungeon for her entry.

She said: “I was so excited when my mum told me I had won the competition. I had never even entered a competition before.

“Winning the competition made me feel really excited. My mum was the one who told me I had won and all my family was there. We had to keep it a secret and it was so exciting. I never knew my hard work would pay off.”

Caitlyn drew a colourful picture of character Captain Goodfellow captured in chains in the depths of a dungeon for her entry.

The delighted schoolgirl said: “I can’t wait to see my picture of Captain Goodfellow in the book and I’m so glad that the judges liked it.

“I chose to draw Captain Goodfellow in chains, I added a little mouse in the corner and I think this is one of the reasons my drawing was chosen as a winner.”

JK Rowling has said that the “most exciting” part of publishing The Ickabog has been: “seeing all the wonderful illustrations coming in.”

All proceeds from publication will be donated to vulnerable groups particularly affected by Covid-19.

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