Eugene, Oregon—August 11, 2017—Harvest House announced today the signing of a multi-book contract with Tony and Lauren Dungy to produce a series of thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated children’s books.
The series showcases the Dungys’ love for children and highlights their desire to make a difference in the lives of young readers. Comprised of picture books for children first through third grade, these meaningful stories will inspire children everywhere and teach important lessons about life and character.
Three books fall under the series title of “Team Dungy” and the stories follow a diverse group of friends at an elementary school as they learn life and character-building lessons through the sports they play. Coaches Tony and Lauren appear as mentors at crucial moments in every story to help the main character work through a problem. The Team Dungy series kicks off with Austin Plays Fair and Maria Finds Courage in August 2018, followed by Carson Chooses Forgiveness in August 2019.
Distinct from the Team Dungy series and scheduled for release in April 2019 will be We Chose You: A Book About Adoption, Family, and Forever Love. Adoption is an issue near and dear to the Dungys, who have seven adopted children. In addition, they are also foster parents. With this book, Tony and Lauren seek to convey to adopted children that they have specifically been chosen to be part of their families, which is a special and forever bond.
“We are tremendously excited to have the Dungys join our Harvest House family,” says Barb Sherrill, Publisher and EVP. “Their passion to share Christian principles and character-building lessons through engaging stories, diverse characters, and compelling artwork fits beautifully with our Harvest Kids line. We can’t wait to see how these books will be used to positively impact children’s lives.”
“We are passionate about children and in particular have focused on encouraging them to read as a means for opening up opportunities for them as they grow. We are excited to partner with Harvest House Publishers in launching a new line of children’s books that we hope will honor the Lord and inspire children of all backgrounds,” say the Dungys.
The Dungys are well respected and highly regarded. Tony’s success in the National Football League as a player and coach, his induction to the NFL Hall of Fame, and his on-going role with NBC clearly showcase his impressive career. He is the author of several books, including bestsellers Quiet Strength, The Mentor Leader, and Uncommon. However, it’s the work he and Lauren do outside of football that is truly his heart and soul.
Lauren is an early childhood educational specialist, best-selling author, and frequently sought-after speaker. A graduate of Duquesne University with a degree in elementary education, she taught school and volunteers as a reading specialist in Title I schools. Lauren has a great passion and love for children, and works closely with several adoption agencies and women’s shelters. She is a devoted wife and mother to ten children.
The Dungys have dedicated their lives to serving others and giving back. They generously open their home to foster or adoptive children, give their time to organizations like Mentors for Life, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Basket of Hope, Title I and many other charitable organizations. The Dungys are a force for good, making a difference in a wide range of ways and lives.
“The Dungys’ love for children is no secret and we are delighted to partner with them on these excellent books,” says Bob Hawkins, President of Harvest House. “An investment into the life of even one child has far greater impact than anyone can fully measure, and our prayer is that the timeless truths in these books multiply that impact through many generations to come.”
About the Publisher:
Harvest Kids™, an imprint of Harvest House, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, creates a wide variety of products that promote biblical values, spark imagination, and encourage young readers up to 12 to develop a lifelong love of Jesus. The Harvest Kids™ line includes Bibles, picture books, devotionals, and other inspiring products, with a special focus on resources for tweens ages 8 to 12.
Media Contact: Christianne Debysingh, Harvest House Publishers
888-468-4108 cdebysingh@harvesthousepublishers.com www.harvesthousepublishers.com
Print quality images to accompany this press release are available in digital format. Available images are: author photos, Harvest Kids and Harvest House logos.
