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Cocovanilla and The Ice Veil

by Ora Munter

22 pages; Saddle stitched; full colour children's book; catalogue #07-0432; ISBN 1-4251-2028-8; US$11.00, C$12.65, EUR8.58, £5.69

Neglected by parents who favor her sister, Kiki goes ice skating and spins into a world called "Ice Dreamland." Magical creatures help her save that planet and regain her self-esteem.

About the Book

Kiki feels unwanted because her parents "favor" her beautiful sister. While ice skating in Central Park she makes a wish, then twirls in a super fast spin.

She spins deep inside herself and teleports to Cocovanilla's garden on the planet of Ice Dreamland. Through their breath, Kiki and Cocovanilla merge into one. Elated with her new identity, Kiki/Cocovanilla ventures beyond her garden gates.

She discovers Ice Dreamlanders are exploited by the King of Kones. Though he's not a true King, he has a bottomless treasure chest of gold. And he forces everyone to work for him.

In hopes of regaining joy and prosperity for her subjects, The Queen of Sorbet, the true ruler of Ice Dreamland, announces her engagement to the Royal Rum Raisin, Ruler of the Black Cherry Forest.

The King of Kones demands the Queen marry him or else he'll release the FEEFIEFOEFUM Giant, who will destroy Ice Dreamland.

The Queen agrees to the King's proposal on the condition that she first receives the Ice Veil. She claims no royal wedding is official without it. The King of Kones gives her until three bell tolls to get it. Or else.

Jamoca, the Ice Veil maker, entrusts Cocovanilla to deliver the Ice Veil. To reach the Palace in time, she must journey through the mysterious Black Cherry Forest.

During her adventures, she encounters a silly Goose, a mischievous wood elf, a feisty troll and the disgruntled Giant. By banding together they banish the King of Kones, liberate Ice Dreamlanders and reunite the Queen and Rum Raisin.

Cocovanilla and The Ice Veil is the first in a series of 12 fantastical adventure stories.

About the Author

Ora wrote and illustrated the Cocovanilla adventure stories while she worked as a copywriter at a New York ad agency. Soon after finishing the series, she quit her dull job and moved to Los Angeles. She fell in love and married her husband. While raising their son, Ora wrote screenplays which received recognition in various contests. When her son left for college, she decided the time was right to share the stories that had helped set her free to live a beautiful life.

Her hope is that the Cocovanilla series helps little girls realize the pure joy within themselves.

Watch a movie by the author on YouTube:
www.youtube.com

Reviews

"Wow Wow Wow !!! This is truly AMAZING. I LOVE this book. The graphics are wonderful, the writing exceptional, the whole package is INCREDIBLE. This is deep yet easy to understand. Written the way girls that age think and talk! Look out, Ms. Rowlings, Ora Munter is hot on your trail!"

Michelle Marina
Las Vegas, NV

"What a delightful and dee-licious story!"

Mira Tempkin
Highland Park, Il

"Some Candyland, some Oz, and some beanstalk! Great illustrations."

Richard Graves
Los Angeles, CA

"In this first time out, Munter introduces us to an edgy youngster from New Jersey who quickly finds herself swept into an alternate universe (a Willy Wonka-ish planet), where characters remind us of a trip to a sweet shop. My favorite character was Rocky Road. Not unlike the Land of Narnia, conflict quickly ensues between the "towns people" and an evil, would-be King, a wicked wizard and an avenging giant. Magical butterflies, romance and non-stop action and suspense round out this exciting adventure. This reader found the illustrations extremely accessible for children. We are left with the promise of further flights of fantasy and fun as the final chapter ends."

Julie Webb
Culver City, CA

Excerpts