DOROTHY HERSELF GREETED guests at the kickoff for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's Storybook gala, which this year has adopted a theme of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

The cocktail party took place at hip Galleria restaurant Joey, which served fusion bites like Korean fried cauliflower and hand rolls — plus Wizard of Oz-inspired specialty cocktails like the Flying Monkey old fashioned and Ruby Slipper cosmo. Joselyn and Jeff Carnrite, who are chairing the main event on Nov. 18 at the ZaZa, welcomed around 75 supporters and thanked them for their generosity.

Auction items were positioned around the restaurant for guests to peruse; the Elton John Yellow Brick Road package, with two tickets to the upcoming concert and a gift card to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, was a buzzy one. A custom-made necklace and earrings set with rubies, diamonds and gold, courtesy of Tego Jewelers, will be available at the Nov. 18 gala, where Drywater Band will perform and more Oz characters from J&D Entertainment will mingle about!

Tom and Grace Gosnell

Aliyah Griffin

Samantha Gaitz, Lauren Stanfill

Caitlin Rance

Patrick Mikkelsen, Melissa McDaniel

Hannah Mizwa, Bob Ethington, Kalee Garvin

Melissa Craig, Amy Chronis, Kime Smith, Liliana Cruz

Jeff Carnrite, 'Dorothy,' Joselyn Carnrite

Matt Davidson, Allie Jarreau

Maggie and Sylvain Riba

Victoria Villarreal, Caitlin Rance, Monica Buchanan

Julie Baker Finck, Ron Finck

Lindsey and Devin Sauer