´Growing Up With Loukoumi´ Author Grants 3 Dream Days: Contest-Winning Kids to Witness a Mars Landing, Be a Soccer Star and Meet Rachael Ray

NEW YORK, May. 15 /PRNewswire/ --

NEW YORK, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Last Fall children's book author Nick Katsoris launched Growing Up With Loukoumi Dream Day, a national contest based on the award-winning children's book and celebrity narrated CD, Growing Up With Loukoumi, where kids can win a day in their dream career. Now three lucky kids will visit NASA for a Mars landing, play soccer with the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium, and meet a television chef.

The book, an iParenting Media Award winner, teaches children they can be anything when they grow up if they believe in themselves! Over 200 Dream Day events were held at schools, libraries and bookstores nationwide where thousands of children entered the contest by drawing themselves in their dream career.

The first winner, a 9-year-old girl from Long Island, wants to be a Mars Rover Engineer. On May 25th she will visit NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA to witness the Phoenix spacecraft actually land on Mars. She will also tour the facility and meet a Rover engineer.

The second winner, an 8-year-old boy from New York, wishes to be a soccer star. He will play soccer at Giants Stadium with the NY Red Bulls.

The third winner, a ten-year-old girl from Fort Collins, Colorado, wants to be a television chef. She will cook with acclaimed CBS-TV Chef Tony Tantillo, and also meet Rachael Ray on the set of her hit show.

Contest judges included the narrators on the Growing Up With Loukoumi CD: Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, Gloria "I Will Survive" Gaynor, CBS News Anchor Alexis Christoforous, Guiding Light star Frank Dicopoulos, and American Idol's Constantine Maroulis. The panel also included actress Florence Henderson, Fox-5 Anchor Ernie Anastos, Make-A-Wish Foundation VP Jennifer Maher, and promotional sponsor iParenting Media's Editor-in-chief Elisa All.

Growing Up With Loukoumi has been featured on several national programs including The Martha Stewart Show, which called it "Charming, beautiful, and gives confidence!" This month Barnes & Noble selected the book for its Graduation Gift displays nationwide.

The Growing Up With Loukoumi narrated CD includes an original song, "Believe," by Gloria Gaynor. $2 from the sale of each book/CD benefit a national children's charity.

For more information visit www.loukoumi.com; for interviews, e-mail info@loukoumi.com; call: Nick Katsoris, 212-397-2804.