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AKVII By KATHY YANCHUS Oakville Beaver Staff Author‘s first, Most people would admit, no doubt, that dandelions are a nuiâ€" sance but no one knows that better than Vivian Hitchman. Hitchman‘s fondness for dandeâ€" lions led to the publication of her first children‘s story, Toni and the Dandelions, but the process was so entangled in obstacles and chalâ€" lenges, one surmises that the last thing Hitchman wants to see is the yellowâ€"flowered wild plant popping up on her lawn. While attending the Institute for Children‘s Literature south of the border, Hitchman, a commercial writer and photographer, wrote a short story, inspired by the Canadian Geographic calendar which featured the translation of the French word, ‘dandelion‘, as ‘tooth of the lion.‘ Her story developed into the enchanting tale of a little girl‘s fasâ€" cination with dandelions, her father‘s threat to mow them down and the wonderful experience she has when a gust of wind whooshes her lion mobile onto her lap. "The seed was planted 10 years ago and then I started devglpp@gg it," said Hitchman, an east Oakville mother of two who attended univerâ€" sity for psychology with special focus on learning and language acquisition. As with many first time authors, Hitchman‘s book was rejected. "With each rejection I‘d edit and change things," said Hitchman. "When you get rejected by a large publisher, it‘s not easy." Eventually she decided to take publication of her book on singleâ€" handedly. Through conversations with relatives, friends, and contacts, Hitchman finally connected with illustrator Steve Pilcher (Norbert Nipkin) who provided the breathâ€" taking illustrations and singer/comâ€" poser (and Sheridan College Music Theatre grad) Mark Cassus Ferguson, who put music to the lyriâ€" cal words and composed the songs for an accompanying cassette. With the exception of Pilcher, â€" the second illustrator Hitchman worked with on the book â€" all involved were new to children‘s litâ€" erature. "They were very talented and interested in exploring this genre," says Hitchman, who admits that an enchanting dandelion tale with the series of problems she encountered in selfâ€"publishing, the book became "a labor of love." Now, as she gently caresses one of her books, an ‘oversized‘ hardâ€" cover designed for children 4 to 8, she says "it‘s truly an art piece" and she is greatly "indebted to many, many individuals" who contributed to the project. "The illustrations are art pieces," she says. Despite rejections from publishâ€" ers, Hitchman felt compelled to folâ€" low through on a story she believed in. "The kids, that‘s the true test," says Hitchman who has already parâ€" ticipated in classroom readings and has enjoyed watching youngsters sway to the music. "Kids and music are synonymous." Although adding a cassette to the project meant delving into another area foreign to her, Hitchman, believed firmly in the music angle. "I also feel it‘s an area in the market that‘s in its infancy. It‘s an exciting area." "I have a lot of dance, music and theatre in my background," says Hitchman. Thcfi cassette was record2d at ce e en m en noneother than Sheridan College, _ First time children‘s book author Vivian Hitchman with Toni and the (See ‘Hitechman‘ page 20) Dandelions. JUNIOR (PG) (Dolby Stereo) Evgs. 7:00 9:20 Sat. Sun. Mat. 2:15. THE PAGEMASTER (PG) Frightening Scenes (Dolby Stereo) Sat. Sun. Mat. 2:00. THE WAR (PG) Mature Theme, Violence. Evgs 7:00 9:30. Sat. Sun. mat. 1:30. PULP FICTION (R) Brutal Violence, Alcohol, Drug Use. (Dolby Stereo) Evas. 8:00. TRAPPED IN PARADISE (PG) May Offend THE SWAN PRINCESS (F) (Dolby Stereo) Fri. Mon.â€"Thurs. 7:20. Sat. Sun. Mat. 2:30 THE PROFESSIONAL (R) May Offend Some FOREST GUMP (PG) Alcohol, Drug use, Mature theme. Evgs. 7:00 9:35. Sat. Sun. mat. 1:30. THE SWAN PRINCESS (F) Sat. Sun. mat 1:45. uds A RIVER WILD (AA) Mature Theme, Not recommended for children. Evgs. 7:15 9:20 Sat. Sun. mat. 1:45. MIRACLE ON 34TH ST. (F) Evgs. 7:10 9:20 Sat. Sun. mat. 1:45. INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE (R) (Dolby Stereo) Violence. Evgs. 7:00 9:35. Sat. Sun. mat. 1:30. Some, Language May Offend. (Dolby Stereo) Evas. 7:00 9:20. Sat. Sun. mat. 2:00. MIRACLE ON 34TH ST. (F) (Dolby Stereo) Evgs. 7:15 9:20. Sat. Sun. Mat. 2:15. STARGATE (PG) Evgs. 7:00 9:30. Sat. Sun. Mat. 1:30. â€" LOW DOWN DIRTY SHAME (R) Coarse language. Evgs DROP ZONE (AA) Violence (Digital Sound) Evas. 7:15 9:45. Sat. Sun. mat. 1:45. LION KING (F) Evgs. 7:10 9:00. Sat. Sun Mat. 2:00. PULP FICTION (R) Brutal Violence, Alcohol, Drug Use. Evas. 9:00 Only. JUNIOR (PG) Evgs. 7:10 9:40. Sat. Sun Mat. 1:4 RAPPED IN PARADISE (PG) May offend some, Language may offend. Evgs. 7:00 9:30. Sat. Sun. mat. 1:30. MaY oFFEnp Some The Firpo Brothers Can Get Away With Anything. raxextay *) They Just Can‘t Get Away. PARENTAL i cuioance LOVITZ â€" CARVEY Trapped in Dana OSO Concert Tickets make Merry Musical Christmas Gifts! Call 844â€"7984 In this week‘s ‘Christmas Tradition‘ flyer the following errors have occurred: Page 3: The ‘Regal‘ Biscuits will not be available. Page 24: Not all styles of the 10K Gold Lockets are selling at the price indicated. Some styles are selling at $49.99 and others at $59.99. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Kmart Canada Limited The Professional (R) Sat Sun 12:40, 5:15 9:35 Fri Monâ€"Thu 5:15 9:35 Miracle on 34th Street giF Sat Sun 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7:05 9:20 Fri Monâ€"Thu 4:45, 7:05 9:20 Stargate (PG) Sat Sun 3:00 7:20 Fri Monâ€"Thu 7:20 When You Can‘t Breathe, Nothing Else Matters. * THE LUNG ASSOCIATION