Vanna's Dance - Books - Volumes

EXCERPT Vanna was sitting on the front step of her house. She was happy. The sun was shining over Cambodia and Chea Chheng, her very good friend, Vanna saw him coming, she jumped up, her two shiny black ponytails bouncing as she did so. “Chea Chheng!” she called excitedly. “You are here!” Chea Chheng’s face broke into a big smile. He patted her head, playfully pulling on one of her ponytails. “Your face is like the sun. It matches your pretty yellow blouse,” Chea Chheng said affectionately to the eight-year old girl. “Tell me a story,” Vanna begged. “Don’t tell me you are not tired of my stories yet,” he teased her laughing, his eyes dancing with the happiness he saw on her face. “Oh! Never!” exclaimed Vanna. “Then come sit with me,” Chea Chheng said. They sat down together on the front step. Chea Chheng began his story. The Banyan tree has heart-shaped leaves. Many roots grow down from its branches. If a root is cut, another will grow and dig into the ground. It may be a different root, but it will be just as strong. You cannot destroy the soul of something so determined to live. The Banyan tree, like a person is made of many parts that give a strong foundation. Its heart-shaped leaves look alike but each is different, like the many emotions inside a person’s heart. There was a little boy who wanted to cut down a big Banyan tree growing near his house. He knew it was very strong. He wanted to show that he was stronger. “I will destroy that tree,” the little boy said. “Then I will be the stronger one!”">

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Books > Vanna's Dance

Vanna's Dance

0973622911

Self Published

Almudevar, Maria

Page Count: 32

Language: English

$19.99

All prices in Canadian dollars unless indicated otherwise.

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In 1999, while residing in Geneva the author, Maria Almudevar, 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. EXCERPT Vanna was sitting on the front step of her house. She was happy. The sun was shining over Cambodia and Chea Chheng, her very good friend, Vanna saw him coming, she jumped up, her two shiny black ponytails bouncing as she did so. “Chea Chheng!” she called excitedly. “You are here!” Chea Chheng’s face broke into a big smile. He patted her head, playfully pulling on one of her ponytails. “Your face is like the sun. It matches your pretty yellow blouse,” Chea Chheng said affectionately to the eight-year old girl. “Tell me a story,” Vanna begged. “Don’t tell me you are not tired of my stories yet,” he teased her laughing, his eyes dancing with the happiness he saw on her face. “Oh! Never!” exclaimed Vanna. “Then come sit with me,” Chea Chheng said. They sat down together on the front step. Chea Chheng began his story. The Banyan tree has heart-shaped leaves. Many roots grow down from its branches. If a root is cut, another will grow and dig into the ground. It may be a different root, but it will be just as strong. You cannot destroy the soul of something so determined to live. The Banyan tree, like a person is made of many parts that give a strong foundation. Its heart-shaped leaves look alike but each is different, like the many emotions inside a person’s heart. There was a little boy who wanted to cut down a big Banyan tree growing near his house. He knew it was very strong. He wanted to show that he was stronger. “I will destroy that tree,” the little boy said. “Then I will be the stronger one!”

Artist Bio: Maria Almudevar currently resides in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, 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.