Coloring Children's Books

Because of our weekly tradition to check out 10 children's books from the library, we have a lot of time each week to really get to know each character, each line and pun. Its like making new friends each week.

I'm pleased to say, since we've started this tradition, my son's book quotes outweigh his movie quotes! He'll start into a conversation with me that sounds something a little like this:

Mom, remember when duck had the pencil in his mouth and peeked in the window saying, "Giggle, giggle, cluck?" [Me: Yes.] Why did he do that? (from "Giggle, Giggle, Quack" by Doreen Cronin)

Its funny because he seems to ask questions he already knows that answer to, but its his way of conversing, and I love it.

Well I'm not sure what gave me the idea, but just for kicks one night I used our printer
to scan a page out of the children's book we were reading and set out some colored pencils for him to use while I read. It was a BIG hit. He loves it. While I read, he colors, but can still correct me if I don't get the sentence just right. He'll also make me read the book several times in order for him to finish his coloring.

Our first coloring story was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day; and if you'll remember the pages are not colored to begin with, therefore it scanned beautifully. To scan darkly colored pages, we've learned to go into the settings and change it to print in its lightest setting. It turns out great.

I've now taught Caleb how to place the book on the scanner (being careful of the binding of course) and how to change the settings for a good scan. He's quite good with technology! He also equally enjoys sharpening pencils!

[Note: As the daughter of a librarian, I want to disclose that I've spent time helping my son distinguish between the scanned images and the actual children's book. He knows which he is allowed to color and which he is not.]