rea d i n g g u id e
Amanda in Spain: The Girl in the Painting
Darlene Foster
Amanda Jane Ross is certainly becoming a world traveller; she's now
in sunny Spain on vacation with her friend Leah. While there, she
encounters a mysterious young girl who looks eerily like the girl in a
famous painting she saw in a Madrid museum. Even weirder, the girl
keeps showing up wherever Amanda finds herself - Madrid, the remote
mountains of rural Spain, the beaches on the Mediterranean Sea, a
lively fiesta and the busy streets of Barcelona. Amanda wants to help
this sweet, young girl and her beloved pony escape the clutches of a
mean horse-dealer.
Come with Amanda on her next adventure as she attempts to unravel
the mystery behind the Girl in the Painting while she treks across Spain
- always one step ahead of danger!
ISBN Trade Paperback: 978-1-926760-55-1
ISBN ebook: 978-1-926760-50-6
JUVENILE | Adventure
102 pages
List Price: $8.95 | $3.99
Published: January 14, 2011
“AMANDA IN SPAIN is a book for the young and the young-at-heart. Vivid descriptions of the country and its
customs, humorous details, and enough tension that keeps you turning the page, make this a very enjoyable
reading. I look forward to Amanda's next adventure!”
~ Christa Polkinhorn, author
“Be prepared to learn a lot about the culture while you follow Amanda on her adventure.”
~ Laura Best, author of Bitter, Sweet
“What a great way for a young person to learn about a culture and to be inspired to experience other countries
themselves.”
~ Irene Butler, author of Trekking the Globe with Mostly Gentle Footsteps
Darlene Foster is an employment counsellor working with youth at
risk, an ESL tutor, a wife, mother and grandmother. She loves travel,
shoes, cooking, reading, sewing, chocolate, music, the beach and
making new friends. Her grandson calls her "super-mega-as-womansupreme". She was brought up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta,
where she dreamt of traveling the world and meeting interesting people.
She lives on the West coast of BC with her husband and their black cat,
Monkey.
Interview with Darlene Foster
Q: Darlene I see from your website, your books are inspired by your travels, have you been to all the places
Amanda has visited?
A: My first trip ever on an airplane was 35 years ago when I flew to England to marry my husband who is from
there. We have been back a number of times and I have been able to explore the country a lot. It is almost my
second home. My in-laws have since retired to Spain and we have visited them a few times there, each time
exploring a different part of that country. It was amazing trip to the United Arab Emirates to visit a friend, that
inspired me to write the first novel, Amanda in Arabia –The Perfume Flask.
Q: How do you decide on the situation or adventure for your character Amanda? Is it something you saw on your
trips and decided to use or just something you made up?
A: It is usually something I actually saw on the trip. For instance, I own the perfume flask from Amanda in Arabia. I
bought it at a crowded little shop full of amazing things. I felt it called out to me and that I had to have it. I had no
idea it would be part of a book I would write one day. I saw the painting by Velazquez when I was in Madrid and
felt the little girl was watching me. I have always loved vintage books and I came across a number of them
whenever I visited England. I just knew Amanda would have the same love of books I have always had.
Q: How long did it take to write “Amanda in England – the Missing Novel”, compared to the first two chapter
books? Was it easier or harder, and why?
A: It took me about 18 months to write Amanda in England-The Missing Novel which was quicker than the first two
so I guess it does get a bit easier. Or maybe I was just more determined to get the book completed. I also have
more of a routine now. I make sure I write two hours every evening.
Q: How important do you think it is, to ensure correct names of places, words, and phrases? Is it necessary?
A: I do quite a bit of research and try to get it as close to right as I can. I don’t think it has to be dead on but I want
children to learn about another part of the world when they read these books. So I don’t want to misinform them.
Q: Did you intend for this to be a series?
A: I did not intend it to be a series but once I completed the first book I decided Amanda should travel some more.
Children would ask me, “Where is Amanda going to next?” So I was compelled to do a series.
Q: I thoroughly enjoyed these three books and wonder what is next on Darlene’s list, is Amanda off on another
adventure very soon? Did I read a faint hint that her friend Leah may be visiting Alberta next?
A: Oh, yes. I have started Amanda in Alberta-The Writing on the Stone. Leah comes to visit Amanda in Alberta. I
grew up there so I thought why not write about what I know very well. There is a lot of history and interesting
places in Alberta that children (and adults) will be interested to learn about.
Amanda in
SPAIN
THE GIRL IN THE PAINTING
TREASURE HUNT
1. Who was Gaudi? ___________________________________________________
2. What was the name of the girl in the painting?__________________________
3. What is La Pedrera?_________________________________________________
4. What is the name of the tomato fight in Brunol?_________________________
5. What city is Les Rambles in?_________________________________________
6. In what city can you visit the Prado Museum?__________________________
7. What countries border Spain?________________________________________
8. What is the name of the warm sea bordering Spain?____________________
9. In what town can you see the hanging houses?_________________________
10. What colour is saffron?______________________________________________
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