3:52pm Friday 27th October 2006
By Newsquest Reporter
Sana Khan, seven, has become Britain's youngest published female author, writes Nicholas Hitchens.
Sana, then six, entered the national competition last November and was told in March that her story, Rainbow Oddie, had been chosen for publication by organisers Read With Me.
Writing with other girls from the 7th Upper Tooting Rainbows, Sana's entry was first selected as the best in London, before being picked from a shortlist of 12 stories from across the country.
Proud parents Tariq and Saim said: "We were shocked and delighted when we found out Sana's story was to be published. When she entered, we hadn't realised it was a national competition."
Sana also won £500 for her Rainbow unit, run by Jane Delaney and Helen Johnson at St Anselm's Church Hall, Balham High Road.
The money is being used to fund a trip to the New Wimbledon Theatre on December 14 to see Peter Pan, as well as buying new equipment for the girls.
Sana has moved up to the Brownies since her success but will still be going to the panto, as will her sister Fareeha, a new Rainbow member.
Sana, who attends Fircroft Primary School, said: "I'd never entered a writing competition before, but I'm good at winning fancy dress."
Rainbow Oddie, is the 13th in the Oddies series, which follow the antics of odd socks which disappear from our washing machines and dryers, to planet OddieWorld. In Sana's tale, Rainbow Oddie must bring back colour to OddieWorld after it has been stolen by the evil Witch Oddie.
The creator of the Oddies series, Grant Slatter, began writing the books three years ago for his two children Tom and Amber-Rose, before establishing Read With Me Week and running the competition to encourage involvement.
Mr Slatter, who was on the selection panel, said: "Sana's effort fitted the series' style very well and the story was a nice reflection on real life. There are people who try to suck the colour out of life, but it can be put back."
Rainbow Oddie goes on sale Monday, October 30, and can be purchased, alongside matching Rainbow Oddie socks, from ReadWithMe.co.uk, Oddieworld.com or Amazon.com.
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