HarmonSpeaks

Accepting Our Differences

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Photo of book "My Daddy Takes His Legs Off."My Daddy Takes His Legs Off

by Gary Harmon (Author), Kathryn Schilling Oakes (Drawings)

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Price
Paperback Book: $15.00
Tax:  $1.40
Shipping:  $2.00
TOTAL:  $18.40

 

Description

In his first children’s book, Gary Harmon delivers a story about a six year old girl whose father’s differently shaped hands and prosthetic legs frighten her day care friends. They urge her to get him to stop picking up her and her brother after work.

“My Daddy Takes His Legs Off.” is the story of how they resolve this dilemma. This book is designed to help families discuss those who are physically different and realize those with differences are our family members and friends. 

At its heart, it is a story about teaching children to embrace differences rather than fearing them.

Editorial Review from Amazon

In his first children’s book, Gary Harmon delivers a story about a six year old girl whose father’s differently shaped hands and prosthetic legs frighten her day care friends. They urge her to get him to stop picking up her and her brother after work. “My Daddy Takes His Legs Off.” is the story of how they resolve this dilemma. This book is designed to help families discuss those who are physically different and realize those with differences are our family members and friends.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 36 pages
  • Publisher: Harmon Publishing (2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0989757900
  • ISBN-13: 978-0989757904
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.2 inches
  • Price
    • Paperback: $15
    • Tax:   $1.40
    • Shipping:  $2.00

About the Illustrator, Kathryn Schilling-Oaks

Kathryn Schilling-Oaks is an amazing artist who had never illustrated a book before. Gary asked her to do this project “because I trust her, and I knew she would draw a man with missing limbs honestly and his family with warmth and kindness.”

Customer Reviews from Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars Gary. Just Gary., November 1, 2013 by Sara P

Goodness, I have to start by copping to my bias. I have known Gary for something getting frighteningly close to 30 years. He was a teacher who became a friend, and a friend who amassed throngs of others wherever he went. I don’t think it has anything to do with me when I say that it never occurred to me to see or treat him differently. From the start he was Gary. Just Gary. (Well, or a variety of nicknames.) A smart, funny, sometimes annoying, always engaging, supportive older brother-type of friend.

I am thrilled that you get to meet him, if only just a little through this book. The story embodies his essence – completely and unapologetically himself, loving and open, believing in people and change. I can’t think of a better example for the lessons he hopes the book can teach. I am equally thrilled that Kathryn has been able to capture him so well in the drawings. He doesn’t tell you in the story that his face doesn’t move quite the way the rest of ours do. He smiles in a different way. But Kathryn makes that smile shine off the page.

I know the real Katie Beth, Wesley and Mommy are proud of him. So are the rest of us.

So with that, I encourage you (at whatever age) to read the book. Share it. (Shameless pitch to come…) Buy a copy for your library or school. It can only do good in the world, in the gentle way that is Gary Harmon. Enjoy!

Last edited by the author on Jan 3, 2014, 10:14:13 AM PST  –  Sara P says:
Real life follow up… So I read Gary’s book to my almost-5-year-old niece over Christmas. When I read the title her Daddy looked a bit squeamish – afraid she might think the idea was scary. But she was perfect. She agreed with the kids in the story that it wasn’t scary (saying “no” out loud with me) and was curious about how to eat without fingers. Then when I told her that Gary was my friend she asked “Why?” (Because that is what almost-5-year-olds ask.) I said. “That my dear is a whole nuther story.” (Smile.)
4.0 out of 5 stars A story of acceptance, October 28, 2013 by Customer

This story focuses on how small children can perceive people with physical disabilities as frightening. The more you know, the less fear there will be until everyone is simply…people. The goal is to teach others to look with their heart, not just their eyes. Written by an author who as been there, done that and is still doing it.

It would be a good addition to school libraries and other organizations where there is a learning opportunity.

The overall quality of the book is excellent. The cover is a thick and sturdy paper, with a comfortably textured coating. The pages are also high quality and the binding seems like it is meant to last. The text formatting is a little odd on a couple of pages, which may interrupt the flow of reading. The illustrations look like sketch-and-watercolor, straddling the line between cartoon and realistic.

 

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