The heartwarming kindness of a toddler who helps his severely autistic older brother with everyday tasks has inspired a series of books by their proud dad.

Tim Johnston, from Margate, would watch his youngest son Otis, two, helping Louis, nine, with brushing his hair and the pair of them helping each other to clean their teeth.

Inspired by the brothers' kindness and Louis' love of penguins, the 30-year-old decided to write a story about a little penguin helping his big brother penguin.

It was initially just for his sons to read, but Mr Johnston had The Penguin Family published, with 20% of the proceeds of sales going to the Foreland Fields School in Ramsgate, where Louis attends.

He has also written Little Penguin's Birthday and two more books are in the pipeline.

"It's very sweet watching them together and Otis helping his big brother," said Mr Johnston.

"He notices that Louis needs help and so does it, and Louis also helps Otis, too.

"The support they give each other inspired me to write a story for the boys but thought other children and parents could benefit from it.

"The story is more about kindness as opposed to autism - it doesn't use the term autism and it's been delicately put together.

"The character Brother Penguin would struggle with things like brushing his hair and Little Penguin would help him.

"Little Penguin helps his brother every day. At Christmas, he wants a gallon of milk and Brother Penguin uses his money and manages to get him the milk.

"It's saying if you're kind to people who may not be the same as you, that kindness will be returned.

"It's a simplistic story but the aim is for it to be read to children and for them to understand that people are not always the same and some need extra help."

Mr Johnston, who works in trade publishing, has already raised £800 for Forelands Fields School in Ramsgate which went towards their new playground, which is accessible for all pupils and includes a swing for children in a wheelchair.

He says Louis has progressed significantly thanks to the school.

"Louis was statemented at two which is very young, but it was quite clear from the doctors' point of view and us as parents that he had autism," said Mr Johnston.

"He had quite severe developmental delay. He would struggle with day-to-day tasks and had autistic traits so, for example, he likes things being a particular way and things to be in order.

'It's saying if you're kind to people who may not be the same as you, that kindness will be returned'

"He didn't speak until he was four or five. It wasn't until he was six or seven that he started saying 'dad' all the time.

"We were told Louis would never speak and it was unlikely he would be able to communicate, but he can say so much now. That's thanks to the school.

"My aim is to raise as much money as possible for them as they do rely on fundraising for the equipment needed for their students."

His book The Penguin Family is available at https://amzn.to/2oI6Yjo

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