BUY A STORY, SUPPORT A CHILD
The Heart That
Gives
A heartwarming story by young Sabah author Lona Hailey Selvam about generosity, humility and compassion. Purchase a copy for RM45 and help support Malaysian Children's Hospice Kota Kinabalu.
Proceeds supports Malaysian Children's Hospice Kota Kinabalu
32 pages
Beautifully illustrated children's book
Language
English
Genre
Heart Warming
TAKE HOME A STORY THAT GIVES
Read it with your child, gift it to someone you love or donate a copy to a young reader.
Let Lona’s story inspire another young person to believe that kindness, however small, can make a difference.
Your RM45 purchase includes:
One printed copy of The Heart That Gives.
A meaningful English story about kindness, generosity and compassion.
A book suitable for children, families, schools and libraries.
The opportunity to support children receiving paediatric palliative care.
BOOK OVERVIEW
A Story About What Truly Saves A Community
In The Land Below The Wind, a once-blessed village thrived under the virtuous Chief Lojimin, whose harmony with the spirits brought endless abundance. After his death, his son Gundo's pride and greed broke this sacred bond, cursing the land into decay.
A generation later, a young girl named Sulinah has dreams of the dying village and it chosen by the Spirits to restore the balance before it is too late, Guided by Tavasi, a talking sun bear, she journeys through sacred lands to learn forgotten virtues like generosity, humility and compassion.
Through these trials, she discovers that true salvation begins with oneself.
ONE BOOK. A SHARED PURPOSE.
The Heart That Gives brings together a young author, an experienced publisher, a compassionate organisation and community partners who believe in the power of books to create change.
Lona Hailey Selvam wrote the story. Catherine Khoo mentored her and helped transform her ideas into a published book. Proceeds from every book sold through this project will be donated to Malaysian Children’s Hospice Kota Kinabalu under MAPPAC.
Both Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Sabah State Library provide a platform for a young author to introduce her work to a wider community at the Kota Kinabalu International Book Fair.
Together, they are showing that a child’s story can travel beyond the page and make a real difference in someone’s life.
MEET THE YOUNG AUTHOR
Inspired by personal loss, Lona is using her creativity to bring comfort
and support to other children.
Lona Hailey Selvam is a young Malaysian author from Sabah who has loved creating stories from an early age. Her writing reflects her imagination, compassion and belief that even a young person can make a meaningful difference.
Lona received Second Prize in the Malaysian Young Author Award in 2024 and a Merit Award in 2025. Her book, The Heart That Gives, tells a touching story about kindness, generosity and the joy of helping others.
Lona is taking her story beyond the classroom and using her creativity for a greater purpose. Proceeds from the book sales will support Malaysian Children’s Hospice (MCH) Kota Kinabalu.
Lona hopes her story will encourage other children to believe in their ideas, express themselves through writing and discover that they are never too young to contribute to the community.
MEET THE PUBLISHER AND MENTOR
Helping young writers turn their ideas into published stories.
Catherine Khoo is a Singaporean author, editor, educator and publisher who has worked in writing and publishing since 1990.
She believes every child is naturally creative and has the right to dream, write and share their ideas with the world.
Through this project, Catherine is helping her student Lona share her book with readers in Sabah while supporting Malaysian Children’s Hospice Kota Kinabalu.
Her mission is to create a world where children recognise their creativity, become published authors and even learn how to sell their creations. Ultimately, she hopes to leave a legacy of helping children believe in themselves and achieve their dreams through writing
YOUR PURCHASE SUPPORTS CHILDREN
Supporting children and families through MAPPAC
Palliative care for children with life -limiting illnesses
Improving quality of life for children and families
Care with dignity, comfort and compassion
About Malaysian Children's Hospice (MCH)
Malaysian Children’s Hospice (MCH) is a service centre under the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care, or MAPPAC
Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) supports children with life-limiting illnesses. It focuses on improving the child’s quality of life by relieving symptoms and providing emotional, social, and spiritual support for both the child and their family.
Care may be provided alongside medical treatment and focuses on comfort, dignity and quality of life.
By purchasing The Heart That Gives, you are supporting a story written by young Sabah author while contributing to meaningful care for children and their families.
PESTA BUKU ANTARABANGSA KOTA KINABALU
23th -27th September 2026
About Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu
Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Sabah State Library provide an important platform for authors, publishers and readers to connect through the Kota Kinabalu International Book Fair.
This event gives young authors like Lona the opportunity to introduce their work to a wider audience, while encouraging a culture of reading, creativity and community involvement in Sabah.
Through this event, The Heart That Gives becomes more than a book. At the fair, visitors can meet Lona, discover The Heart That Gives and support a young Malaysian author whose work is contributing to Malaysian Children’s Hospice Kota Kinabalu.
Discover New Books
Meet Authors & Young Writers
Support Stories That Give Hope
WHAT READERS SAY
Thier thoughts of the book
Celine Daya
Homeschool Mom
“The heart That Gives by Lona is simple yet deeply engaging. She writes about a girl who is searching and somehow, I felt as though I had been placed inside the story. For me, this is more than reading a story. I felt like I was walking alongside her throughout the journey”
Love it!
Christine Chari
Business Owner
“A beautifully written book, rich with timeless virtues.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters and how the author masterfully weaves everything together.
Certainly a book I would recommend reading.”
Ashley Nassa Frankie
Primary 4 Student
“The book is about generosity, humility and compassion. It also reminds us not to let pride take over.
I enjoyed the storyline and liked the book.
Easy read for student my age"
MEET US AT THE
INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
Event Details
23 - 27
September 2026
9.30 am - 10.00pm
Sabah International Convention Centre
(SICC Kota Kinabalu)
FREE ADMISSION!!
Get The Heart That Gives
Today!
Support a young Sabah author and help her story create a meaningful impact for Malaysian Children’s Hospice Kota Kinabalu.
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Get The Heart That Gives Today!
Support a young Sabah author and help
her story create a meaningful impact
for Malaysian Children’s Hospice
Kota Kinabalu.