I love to color. I always have. Even though I am an adult, I would never pass up the opportunity to color.
I work with children as a site director for school age program. One of the things I do for my “work kids” is to always have coloring pages on hand. I’m always printing out free coloring pages (or ones I am allowed to print out for them). The girls and boys in my program love to color, no matter what grade they are in too. Currently I have kids from grades K-4th grade.
Even my assistant and my other staff person enjoy coloring right along side the kids.
My husband is also a fan of coloring. He finds is very relaxing (as do I). There was a point where I’d buy him new crayons for his birthday and/or Christmas, and as a couple we’d look for coloring books we’d enjoy coloring side-by-side. I enjoy cute things where he loves to color things with a lovely landscape.
I’m a crayon person too. I offer both markers and crayons for my work kids. Most prefer markers, but I do have some that are like me and enjoy using crayons instead. I like crayons because there is more a variety in colors, plus you can combine colors, shade/highlight images and more.
It’s sad to me that some children just don’t like to color, mostly because they rather be on their tablets and smartphones. Coloring should be a part of every child’s life. This is why I appreciate that we’re a “technology-free” program. Kids are not allowed to use computers, tablets or smartphones while in our care. They are suppose to engage with other children, do group and individual activities, arts & crafts and enjoy outdoor time.
I was recently introduced to a unique book/coloring book that encourages children to color. Not only that, it helps to promote reading and shows children just how much fun being creative can be.
The book is called “Color with Izzy.” It’s written by Bradley Umane.
Here is some information about the books.
“Color With Izzy” is a delightful new coloring book designed to inspire children to put down their screens and embrace their creativity with crayons in hand. Authored by Bradley Umane, the senior director of product marketing at ad tech agency Kargo, this innovative book aims to encourage kids to take a break from digital devices and immerse themselves in the joy of coloring.
In a world where children are increasingly glued to electronic screens, “Color With Izzy” provides a refreshing alternative that promotes imagination and artistic expression. This interactive coloring book offers a range of engaging illustrations that will captivate young minds and encourage them to explore the wonders of creativity.
Bradley Umane, the creative mind behind “Color With Izzy,” understands the importance of striking a balance between technology and traditional activities. With a background in product marketing at Kargo, Umane brings a unique perspective to this project, recognizing the value of hands-on activities in nurturing children’s development.
As children dive into the pages of “Color With Izzy”, they will discover a world of vibrant images waiting to be brought to life through color. From whimsical characters to enchanting landscapes, each page offers a new opportunity for young artists to unleash their imagination and express themselves through art.
Through “Color With Izzy,” Umane aims to champion the power of creativity and inspire children to unplug from screens, pick up their crayons, and embark on a colorful journey of self-expression. Join the movement to promote kids’ creativity and embrace the joy of unplugging with “Color With Izzy.”
I’m thrilled that my program was sent a “Color with Izzy” book for each of the children in my program (thank you Kargo!).
Izzy is an adorable, big-eyed penguin. She’s gifted a huge crayon for her birthday. Izzy loves to color and took her crayon everywhere with her. When she started school she was shocked that her classmates all had their eyes fixated on their smartphone screens. That gave Izzy and idea. Using her crayon she helps to set her classmates free of the spell the smartphones had on them and teaches them about what is most important in life.
Not only is this an wonderful story with a great message, it’s also a coloring book. Your child can pretend to be an illustrator and add color to the images.
One side of the pages is the text and the other side is the image to color. There are even extra coloring pages in the back of the book.
This is an easy read for most children (young ones might need help to read it). You could use this as a bedtime story too. They are so cute!
I knew a lot of my “work kids” would enjoy this book. I was also worried that the boys (who love to color I might add) would think this book was too “girly” since it’s about a girl penguin. To my surprise that didn’t matter to them. They appreciated having a book they could color and take home with them.
To shock me even more, one of my “work kids,” who is OBSESSED with being on her phone, was sitting there coloring. Seriously…I was shocked! I NEVER thought she would do that. She doesn’t color normally. That’s impressive.
I think a reading book that doubles as a coloring book is a fantastic idea. Why hasn’t anyone thought of that sooner?
I hope that they’ll be more Izzy books down the line, or other color-your-own-book type of books. Anything that encourages a child to disconnect from technology, read and use their creativity is something I can get behind and promote.
If you would like to pick up a copy of “Color with Izzy,” visit the official website, ColorwithIzzy.com. You can purchase an individual book or party packs (what a fun party idea/favor!).
You can also follow Color with Izzy on Instagram.
What do you think about the idea of a reading book your child can color? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
