Weston author donates portion of books sales to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: SouthFlorida.com

Broward County -- Weston resident and children's book author Leah Orr is using a sense of humor to make light of the dramas of childhood with the first in a new children's book series, "Messy Tessy."

"All kids cut their hair, whether adults want to acknowledge it or not, and I think it's brave to admit it," Orr said. "I write about it in the "Messy Tessy" book so it's an opportunity to talk about it.
In the picture book, Tessy's babysitter, Aunt Fran, falls asleep, and Tessy finds humorous and amusing ways to entertain herself. With every turn of the page, she gets involved in more and more mischief.
This is the third book that Orr has self-published, and her mother, Josephine Lepore, is the illustrator.
Orr's daughters Alyssa, 11, Camryn, 9, and Ashley, 6, are the inspiration for Messy Tessy. At one time, Orr admits, each girl cut their own hair, their Barbies' hair and even their dog's hair.
But Orr's work has a deeper significance. She is donating a percentage of her profits to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to fund research for a genetic cure.
Orr's youngest daughter, Ashley, was born with the inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States and 70,000 worldwide. A defective gene's protein product causes the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. It also obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
"When Ashley was born 6 years ago, three new medications hit the market, so she's never been sick," Orr said. But not all are so lucky.
"CF kids are immune deficient, like people with AIDS," Orr said. " When a flu goes around, we get sick, but those kids end up in the hospital."
Orr has raised $400,000 for the South Florida chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through book sales and seven annual fundraising walks.
Her first two books, "Kyle's First Playdate" and "Kyle's First Crush" are about children with the disease.
Orr sells her books at cystic fibrosis events and book fairs. She is planning "Messy Tessy" readings at area bookstores and book fairs, including the Miami International Book fair Nov. 12 to 15.
Orr is drawn to stories with humor and plans to continue the "Messy Tessy" series.
"My daughters recently took red nail polish and painted their hamster," Orr recalled. "He hated it and pulled his hair out. It was horrible at the time, but it was also funny. That could be a sequel to 'Messy Tessy.'"
"Messy Tessy" can be purchased online through Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Target or at www.leahorr.com.