Local Illustrator's Book a Finalist in Pacific Book Awards

Whitehall resident Shirley Baustian's illustrations are featured in her late daughter's book, The Adventures of Copper the Dog. The children's book, whose proceeds benefit suicide prevention, was recently named a finalist in the Children's Book category of the Pacific Book Awards. The award is in recognition of excellence in writing.

The Adventures of Copper the Dog was written as a class assignment by Jamie Ann Rogers, as a seventh grader. After Jamie's untimely passing, Baustian found the story with her daughter's belongings and decided to illustrate and publish it.

Baustian has three other...