Children’s Book Created by the Junior League of Houston, Inc. Receives Literary Recognition

Sweet Dreams Douglas Wins Writer’s Digest Award

HOUSTON, TX – (June 2, 2003) – Writer’s Digest, the world’s leading magazine for
writers, recently announced the results in their 10th Annual Writer’s Digest International SelfPublished
Book Awards. Sweet Dreams Douglas, the first in the children’s book market for The
Junior League of Houston, Inc., successfully competed against over 2,100 entries to win first
place for the Children’s & Young Adult Books category. In addition to the recognition Sweet
Dreams Douglas will receive in the Writer’s Digest August edition, the award includes a $500
cash prize, book-jacket seals, a review in the Midwest Book Review, distribution through Baker
and Taylor and other incentives.

With the success of their popular cookbooks behind them, the Junior League of
Houston, Inc. set out to create a project that would address their interest in children’s issues,
particularly targeting three to seven year olds, who are at a critical stage in the development
of their reading interest and ability. “A children’s book fits perfectly with the Junior
League’s mission to address literacy,” explains Roni Atnipp, publishing director for the
children’s book. “The motivation behind Sweet Dreams Douglas’ creation is the goal to make
a difference in the lives of children. This will happen through the activity of reading, the
positive theme this book offers children, and the funds generated by book sales that will be
used to improve our community.” Sweet Dreams Douglas has a universal theme that
children can read and comprehend – the importance of dreams and dreaming.

When the decision to publish a children’s book had been made, author/illustrator
Regan Dunnick was hired to create the characters and write the story that would become
Sweet Dreams Douglas. Using the responses submitted by 850 children from the “What do
Critters Dream?” questionnaire, Dunnick brought the enchanting story about dreaming to life.

In his quest for “sweet dreams,” Douglas, a young dog, sets off on a colorful
adventure, asking his animal friends if they dream and what they dream about. Douglas
learns from each friend, and the story culminates in a surprise ending. Dunnick brings the lovable characters to life through his vibrant and amusing drawings, and children will relate to Douglas, whose journey will stir their imaginations about their own dreams.
Sweet Dreams Douglas retails for $16.95, at Barnes & Noble, area booksellers,
specialty retail stores, and directly from The Junior League of Houston, Inc. (in person at the
Junior League Pantry at 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, by calling 713-623-2665 or visiting
www.juniorleaguehouston.org). Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the charitable
endeavors of The Junior League of Houston, Inc.

Background
Sweet Dreams Douglas represents the commitment of the Junior League to
children’s literacy and the volunteer organization’s winning track record in the publishing
arena. The book is self-published by The Junior League of Houston, Inc., which is also
responsible for such popular cookbooks as The Junior League of Houston, Inc.
Cookbook, The Star of Texas Cookbook and Stop and Smell The Rosemary, Recipes and
Traditions to Remember. Stop and Smell the Rosemary has won eight national awards
including the Tabasco Hall of Fame Award for Outstanding Community Cookbook, the
1997 Benjamin Franklin Award, the 1997 Small Press Best Cookbook Award, and The
Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Award for Best Cookbook.

Author/illustrator Regan Dunnick currently serves as the Illustration Department
Head at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. He has created numerous
illustrations for professional publications and his client list includes the Atlantic Monthly, The
Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Texas Monthly.

The Junior League of Houston, Inc., is an organization of women committed to
promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities
through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively
educational and charitable.