AN AUTHOR is giving back this Christmas by donating her books to children’s hospitals.

Jodie Isitt, from Reading, has donated ten bundles of presents to children at Royal Berkshire Hospital and Basingstoke Hospital who won’t be home for the festive season.

Each bundle will include her books ‘Playing with Bourbon Badger’, the Autism with Lola colouring book along with a Lola cuddly toy.

The mum-of-three wrote the books and set up the brand ‘Autism with love’ after all three of her children were diagnosed with autism.

With her daughter, Lola, as the main character, she created the series to help children understand autism and have knowledge of kids who find mundane situations difficult but who still want to play and make friends.

Ms Isitt said: “As a mum of three with disabilities and complex needs, I spend a lot of time in and out of hospitals.

“We often meet other families who are on a ward more than they are at home where they belong.

“I know how hard this can be and I’m giving away presents to show that we care and get it”

The author is a carer for her daughter, aged 10, who has autism, a demand avoidant profile and an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Lola struggled to settle into a mainstream primary school because of disabilities, which were perceived as bad behaviour.

Her mum said: “While things are slowly changing, for me it is really important that there is more understanding and acceptance of not just autism, but all illnesses and disabilities.

“Now is time to embrace difference and come together and I hope my stories will do this in a gentle, relatable way.”

The author is working on her next book and in January she will be launching a KickStarter Campaign.

For more information go to autismwithlovepublishing.com