What's The Story?

This image is an illustration from the book "Big Ben" written by Rachel Anderson and illustrated by Jane Ray. This edition of the book was published by Barn Owl Books in 2007 - the original text was published in 1998. The story centres around Matthew, whose big brother Ben has Down's syndrome. About 600 babies with Down's syndrome are born in the UK each year and it is estimated that there are 60,000 people with Down's syndrome living in the UK.

This illustration of Ben brings into play many of the points made in our guidance for illustrators who would like to include a child with Down's syndrome in their pictures. You can download a copy here [100kb PDF].

For more information about Down's syndrome visit: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk or www.downsed.org/