Wendy Willow Water Ballerina: A story about Synchronized Swimming - Paperback

by Ida Noelle Calumpang (Illustrator), Diane Garcia (Author)

Do you have a daughter who loves swimming? Is she the child you can't get out of the pool to have lunch or put more lotion on? Does she also like to dance, listen to music, or play dress up? If any of these things apply, you might have a "Water Ballerina" or "Synchronized Swimmer" on your hands!This book tells the story of how author, Diane Garcia (Wendy Willow), first learned synchronized swimming when she was11 years old, at a swim club in Staten Island, NY. It is beautifully illustrated in watercolor by one of her former coaches, Ida Noelle Calumpang, a former member of the Philippine National Synchronized Swimming Team.It includes pictures of figures and patterns performed in synchronized swimming, and follows Diane's (Wendy's) journeyfrom a NERVOUS first-time synchronized swimmer to a truly SELF-CONFIDENT ONE!The book is appropriate for children ages 4-8.The forward of the book is a letter to parents explaining the benefits of this sport and includes a website to find synchronized swimming classes anywhere in the U.S. There is also an email address on the last page where parents andchildren can write to Diane and chat about "Synchro"!Diane Garcia, a NYC elementary school teacher, wrote this book to increase awareness of this BEAUTIFUL/FUN sport! Synchronized Swimming has given her JOY and LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS, as well as, SWIMMING, the BEST FORM OFEXERCISE THERE IS!She was compelled to write this book to share with young children the FUN she was having, and to plant a seed ofinterest in their minds.Synchronized Swimming has kept up with the times and now uses all types of music, including pop and hip hop.There are regional and national competitions for people ages 10-90 in the U.S. and internationally. The internationalcompetitions have also begun to include male synchronized swimmers!SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING ISN'T JUST FOR OLYMPIC SWIMMERS, IT'S FOR EVERYONE!

Author Biography

Diane Garcia was a New York City elementary school teacher and is a synchronized swimmer. She has been swimming "Synchro" since she was 11 years old. As a second grade teacher she read many books about baseball, soccer, ballet, etc. to her students, but there weren't any books about her sport, synchronized swimming. She decided to write "Wendy Willow Water Ballerina" to educate children and parents about synchronized swimming. She would like you to share this book with schools, libraries, aquatic centers, family, and friends to help people become familiar with this athletic/creative sport. There are recreational and competitive classes for synchronized swimming for people ages 5 - 90 in the United States and around the world.