Abigail Mary
Vally is ready for an adventure! Vally is finally old enough to take a solo peek at her outside world, (with her mother's permission of course!) Never has she climbed a tree, met other villo families or run through the hills on her own but today is the day for her to start her new adventure. She brings with her the wisdom her mother has taught her to help make her way safely and be back home in time for dinner.
Vally is an interesting character called a villo. To most, a villo is an unknown animal species, in fact there is no reported documentation of such an animal anywhere in the world, but in the mind of the little author of this book, villos did exist. According to Abbie, villos walked the earth millions of years ago, just like the dinosaurs. They had very large families, were full of energy and were very kind. Abbie is happy to introduce Vally, the villo.
Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go toward the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.
Just like you, Abbie is a very curious child, and a nature girl at heart. Butterflies, frogs, moths, and even slugs interest her. Animal Planet is #1 on her list of favorite programs to watch and learn from. Abbie, who lives in Florida with her mother, has many other interests that include riding bike, playing tennis, singing, dancing, going to the beach, swinging the golf club, and most of all drawing. Abbie loves to visit her grandparents in Wisconsin, especially when the fish are biting. When there, she also enjoys canoe trips and camping on the river.
In the Fall of 2006, 5 year old Abbie was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumotoid Arthritis (JRA). After a two week stay at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, Abbie started to focus her desire to run and play again through a character she created, Vally, the Villo.
Abbie's mother is happy to report that Abbie is doing extremely well and by December 2007 will know is she has outgrown the disease. Over 300,000 children are diagnosed each year with JRA. The good news is that 75% will outgrow it. To date, there are approximately 300 specialists in this country.
Abbie hopes you enjoy Vally the Villo's First Day Away as much as she enjoyed designing and writing it for you.
We are pleased that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the RA Foundation to help other children who have JRA.
