'Celebrator Of The East End' Publishes 1st Children's Puzzle Book

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — For every parent wondered how to keep the kids occupied during East End summer days, there's a brand-new book designed to delight and challenge.

"East End Fun & Games," is a colorful book of puzzles and activities created by Dawn Watson and illustrated by John Dempsey.

The book contains a large variety of activities, puzzles and games for children ages 5 and up. Inspired by the East End, the 95-page full color book includes crosswords, mazes, word- and object searches, coloring, riddles and more. Published by East End Press, it's available for purchase at the Southampton Inn gift shop and other retailers on both the North and South Forks.

The book is sure to capture the imaginations of children across the proverbial board. And, to make it the perfect gift year round, it's filled with local East End knowledge, such as the names of popular destinations, towns and villages, and iconic locations such as windmills, farm stands and beloved East End streets and beaches such as Love Lane in Mattituck and Hot Dog Beach in Hampton Bays.

Watson is a well-known face and voice on the local canvas. A former editor for the Southampton Press, she also captivated with her Hamptons Party Girl blog before her foray into the world of real estate; currently, she's an agent with Serhant on the East End.

Discussing her first book, Watson's voice glows with enthusiasm. "Ever since I was a little kid, I've always been a writer, a gamer, and a trivia fanatic," she said. "That's always been a part of who I am."

Although she'd always hoped to write a book, it wasn't until she interviewed Pauline Neuwirth — the founder of both East End Press and of Neuwirth Associates, a book design and production company — for her "Hampton Habitués" column in the Hamptons Real Estate Showcase, that a connection was forged.

"We really got along," Watson said. "I pitched her the idea for a kids' book — kind of like a Hamptons treasure hunt, thinking it would be fun. That's who I am — I'm such a celebrator of the East End."

At first, Neuwirth's idea was to do something reminiscent of a vintage "fun pad" activity book for kids. "I used to love fun pads," Watson said. "My mom would bring them back for me from the supermarket and I’d be done so quickly, saying, 'Okay, next!'"

She added: "I was the kid drawing and doing the puzzles on the paper place mats at the restaurants; I was always doing that stuff."

The original plan was to create a 40-to-50 pages fun pad flip-book.

Watson, who creates all the puzzles herself, is a self-professed "puzzle fanatic," who does crossword puzzles all the time and "Words with Friends," every morning as soon as she wakes up.

Puzzles, she said, challenge the mind. "You want to keep learning, going, questioning, and being creative."

At first, Watson wasn't sure how to proceed with illustrations. But when she married her husband Michael Dempsey last year, his cousin John gifted them with a beautiful piece of artwork — hand-drawn illustrations depicting the couple's life together. It was then that all the pieces came together.

"I thought, 'I should just ask John,'" Watson said.

Once the pair teamed up, the pages came alive with Dempsey's whimsical and charming illustrations.

"Pauline changed her mind and said, 'This is a bigger book. This book should be all in color,'" Watson said.

The book, which retails for $11.99 and is sold at book stores and farm stands, beaches and shops across the East End, has been flying off the shelves, Watson said. The owner of Red Jacket Books in Westhampton Beach told Watson that the books he'd purchased sold out in an hour.

"If I put this in someone's hands, they can't help but love it," she said.

Even the owner of Sugar Daddy's Toy Store on Main Street in Westhampton Beach — the shop does not sell books — was persuaded by his daughter to carry a selection of the charming puzzle book.

The book, Watson said, is the first of more to come; she's brimming with ideas.

Watson wanted to thank her friends and colleagues who've been so supportive of her efforts. One of the first publicists she'd ever worked for, who's since moved away, messaged her this week and said she was back in Sag Harbor, asking where she could buy the book for her daughter.

Of the frenzy to buy the book, Watson smiled. "It's kind of bananas!"

On Saturday, Watson will be participating in the one-year anniversary of A Book Place, located at 489 E. Main Street in Riverhead. She'll be there signing copies of "East End Fun & Games" from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Next, on July 9, Dede Gotthelf of the Southampton Inn, located at 91 Hill Street, offered to host a book launch party for "East End Fun & Games," on Sunday, July 9, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The fun-filled free event will include a scavenger hunt, games and prizes, and a book signing with Watson. Dinner and dessert will be offered at Claude's restaurant afterward, starting at 5 p.m. Prizes include author-autographed copies of "East End Fun & Games," gift certificates to Claude's restaurant, a Hamptons Monopoly game, and other cool swag.

"Talk about people's love and support," Watson said of Gotthelf. "Dede has been such an avid advocate and supporter."

At the event, place mats were created for kids with a QR code parents to scan, to order her book online.

Watson said the book is the realization of a long-held dream.

"This is the most fun I think I’ve ever had in my life," she said. "I love it. I can’t wait to do more. John’s illustrations," she added, "make the book. It's so cute and inviting, and it makes me smile."

A wordsmith at heart, Waton said she loved using words local to the East End, such as "egret," to educate and entertain; she also created the titles of all the puzzles.

The book is the beginning of a bright new journey, Watson said. "I feel a little bit like this is my Harry Potter."

Watson, whose long felt deep satisfaction in helping her real estate clients find the homes meant for them, says the feeling is similar with her new book. "I love to spread joy. And now I feel as though I'm doing that, in a little 5 X 7 book form. I love doing this."

To learn more about the book and order, click here. "East End Fun & Games" is also being sold in shops in almost every hamlet and village on both the North and South Forks.