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Vanna's Dance

by Maria Almudevar-van Santen; Illustrated by Students of the Waterloo Catholic District

36 pages; Saddle stitched; illustrated; catalogue #05-0751; ISBN 1-4120-5851-1; US$20.00, C$25.00, EUR16.25, £11.26

English version of this children's picture book: French childrens' book; inspired by the true story of a girl who lost her leg to a land mine.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

In 1999, while residing in Geneva the author, Maria Almudevar-van Santen, met Eric vander Borght, a European Film Producer. He talked to her about a film he was working on involving an 8 year old girl in Cambodia who had lost her leg to a landmine. They had thought the area was clear.

Inspired by the film, Maria wrote Vanna's Dance for children. The tale interweaves Vanna's story with elements of Khmer mythology and legends. It is a touching story of a little girl whose determination to dance again overcomes all obstacles. Her beloved Godfather, Chea Chheng, provides inspiration for Vanna through the fables he narrates to her throughout the book.

The author is donating the profits from sales of this book to the organization Adopt-A-Minefield (www.landmines.org) for its work in clearing landmines and assisting landmine survivors. A portion is also being donated to a private fund for Vanna.

Adopt-A-Minefield has as patrons and Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney. Heather Mills McCartney has provided an introductory page in Vanna's Dance.

The illustrations for Vanna's Dance are by students of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board in Ontario, Canada, where Maria now resides.

The translation for the French version "La Danse de Vanna" was prepared by Jean-Guy LaTulippe of Montreal, Quebec Canada.

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About the Author

Maria Almudevar - van Santen currently resides in Canada, having returned after spending eight years in Europe. Touched by Vanna's story and the images of the brave little girl, she combined her love of writing with research of Khmer mythology and legends to write Vanna's Dance. Wanting to do more with the book, she contacted Adopt-A-Minefield and arranged with them to use it as a fund-raising project.

Maria is working on other books for children.

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Excerpts

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Catalogue Information

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