DISABILITIES Children's book faces acceptance

The narrator always focuses on her abilities rather than her disabilities.
By THERESA M. HEGEL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
"My Brand New Leg," by Sharon Rae North; illustrations by Tony Ross (Northstar Entertainment Group, LLC, $11.95)
Sharon Rae North, a Youngstown native who resides in Georgia, recently published an inspirational children's book about a young girl with a prosthetic leg.
"My Brand New Leg" deals with friendship and acceptance of others despite their differences. It also deals with perseverance and overcoming personal obstacles.
The story is told in the first person by a girl who lost her leg after battling cancer. During lunch one day at school, she meets another girl who is curious about her prosthetic limb.
The new girl asks what sort of activities the narrator can do, wondering if she can still dance, hike, run or ride a bicycle. The exuberant narrator demonstrates that she can do all of these things and more. In the process, the two girls become friends.
The narrator always focuses on her abilities rather than her disabilities, and the tone of the book is positive and light-hearted.
"My Brand New Leg" is certainly a useful resource for children dealing with amputations. North dispels popular myths about people with prosthetic limbs.
Strong message
At times, the rhymes seem a little forced, and North sometimes uses awkward phrases in her attempts to maintain a consistent rhythm. The book might have flowed better as prose. Despite these flaws, the story is engaging, original and carries a strong -- but not overpowering -- message.
The illustrations by Tony Ross, which look as though they've been done in crayon, have a childish feel to them, but this adds to the book's light tone.
North was inspired to write "My Brand New Leg" by her late father, Dennis "Buck" North, who suffered from diabetes and eventually had both his legs amputated.
"My Brand New Leg" is sponsored by Ohio Willow Wood, a prosthetics manufacturer in Mt. Sterling, Ohio. It has also been endorsed by the Amputee Coalition of America and is being put into their library. The book is currently available for purchase through North's Web site www.Northstarent.net.
hegel@vindy.com