New Children's Book Series Addresses Cystic Fibrosis With Endearing Childhood Love Story

Main Category: Cystic Fibrosis
Article Date: 24 Oct 2007 - 2:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Kyle's First Playdate, just released as the follow-up story to Kyle's First Crush, continues the heartwarming story of a little boy's crush on a beautiful girl who melts his heart. The book, written by children's book author Leah Orr, is second in a series of books that will follow this sweet young couple through their school days and playdates.

According to Orr, the beautiful girl featured in the story, Ashley Elizabeth, is not a fictional character -- it's Orr daughter, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) prior to birth. "I wanted to share the joy and importance of young love and great friendship, while at the same time briefly address a disease that affects many children as well as adults all over the world," said Orr, a mother of three. "I am donating all the proceeds to the CF Foundation and will continue to write one book every year until a cure is found!"

Kyle's First Playdate follows the young boy's first playdate with a girl. Ashley Elizabeth is not just any girl, but his very special girl friend. This book chronicles their fun-filled Saturday adventure together. The beauty of this story as well as Orr's original tale, Kyle's First Crush, is that they are told through Kyle's eyes, a sweet, young romantic.

Orr's book is a family project, not only featuring daughter Ashley Elizabeth, but also her two other daughters, Aly and Camy. The illustrations in both books were created by Orr's mother, Josephine Lepore, "Grandma Josie."

Between profits from Orr's first book, Kyle's First Crush (ISBN: 1-4259-5733-1, pages:32) and participation in local CF walks over the past 4 years, Orr has been able to raise more than $250,000 for the research and development of CF, a disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of nearly 70,000 children and adults worldwide.

"Children born today with cystic fibrosis are expected to live much longer than in the past, and scientists, researchers, and the CF Foundation are hopeful for a cure by 2012," added Orr.

The books retail for $14.99 and are available through AuthorHouse and amazon.com. Kyle's First Playdate (ISBN: 978-1-4343-1715-5, pages: 44) is due out November 9, 2007, just in time for the holiday season. "For those looking to give a gift that keeps on giving, these books make perfect presents."

http://www.kylesfirstplaydate.com.