NEW YORK, Feb. 13 // -- Several of today's most successful celebrities have united for a new children's book titled GROWING UP WITH LOUKOUMI (NK Publications) to help children discover that they can be whatever they want in life. The project, which just received the prestigious iparenting Media Award, named one of the Best Products of 2007, includes a narrated CD featuring the voices of Grammy winner Gloria Gaynor ("I Will Survive,"), Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, National CBS correspondent Alexis Christoforous, American Idol's Constantine Maroulis, and Guiding Light's Frank Dicopoulos, plus Gaynor's original song titled "Believe."
GROWING UP WITH LOUKOUMI (http://www.Loukoumi.com) is the second Loukoumi book from author and New York attorney Nick Katsoris, who has arranged for $2 from each book/CD sold to benefit a national children's charity. This week Katsoris launched his 2007 book tour with over 100 Growing Up With Loukoumi Storytime events planned at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, including Loukoumi (in costume) and an associated craft to help kids contemplate what they want to be when they grow up.
"It's important for children to hear and know that there are grown-ups who believe that if you work hard and strive for something, it's possible to have your dreams come true," says Olympia Dukakis. "It's a message I clearly received from my parents and I've tried to give it to my children and my grandchildren. GROWING UP WITH LOUKOUMI is the sweetest book."
In the story, Loukoumi the lamb struggles with what she wants to be when she grows up, but her friends Gus the bear, Fistiki the cat, Dean the dog and Marika the monkey, each help Loukoumi realize that she can be whatever her heart desires if she works hard and believes in herself, because "if you believe in yourself, your dreams will come true!"
A national contest where children can realize their own dreams is being planned. For the first book, Loukoumi, Katsoris completed a 15-city tour, launched a Loukoumi plush toy, and Livanis Publishing in Athens purchased the book's foreign rights. GROWING UP WITH LOUKOUMI will also be translated into Greek, with a narration by Greek superstar Anna Vissi and her daughter Sophia Karvelas.
CONTACT: Gail Brussel Nick Katsoris
Book Publicity info@loukoumi.com
914-833-0621 212-397-2804
