A Canadian Olympian will be helping out orphaned bear cubs with the proceeds from a new children’s book.
Elaine “Mighty Mouse” Tanner won two individual silver medals and a bronze in relay in the pool at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Now the former swimmer is publishing a children’s book that began as a Christmas present for her grandkids.
“It’s really a book based on the magic and wisdom of unconditional love and friendship,” said Tanner.
Monkey Guy and the Cosmic Fairy was created about a year and a half ago, Tanner said.
The story has its roots in a stuffed monkey her husband John Watt bought for her some years ago.
Tanner self-published the book and is selling copies in person and through email.
She is coming to Langley, where she lived for a time, because she wants to use her book to help out the Critter Care Wildlife Refuge.
Tanner read about the huge number of bear cubs that arrived at the shelter this year, when Critter Care put out a plea for donations to help feed the growing orphaned cubs.
Both she and Watt have long been interested in animal welfare, she said.
She had already wanted to give something from the book back to the community, and was donating to homelessness and animal rescue charities.
Tanner said $1 from the sale of every book during her signing at Critter Care will go to help the organization.
She will be at Critter Care on Friday, Dec. 18 from noon to 2 p.m. In addition to signing, she will be taking the opportunity to see some of the orphaned cubs, Tanner said.
The same day she will have a signing at the Pacific Inn in White Rock from 5 to 7 p.m.
To get a copy of the book, email Tanner at mightymouse@elainetanner.ca.