SMITHSONIAN COLORING BOOKS

Thanks IDW Publishing for sending these complimentary coloring books to try out!

I'm amazed to say this but my twelve year old son is actually burned out from playing video games and watching television. A combination of virtual online schooling and us not going out and about to do things because of the pandemic has tired him out of electronics. So with art being his favorite class at school he was geeked to dive into two new coloring books recently released by IDW Publishing that have themes that guys like him are sure to be enthused about ... airplanes and dinosaurs.

Coloring isn't just for little kids and these books are aimed for older audiences of tweens, teens and adults. They have more intricate designs than those produced for children and are full of interesting information on these topics courtesy of a partnership with the Smithsonian Institute. These coloring books focus on two of the Smithsonian Institute's most popular Washington, D.C. museums the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air & Space Museum. Learn about the aircraft and dinosaurs exhibits at these two museums while flipping through these pages and relax by doing some coloring.

According to the health professionals at our local hospital, there are a variety of benefits to spending time coloring. Like meditating, coloring can relax the fear center of the brain reducing stress and restlessness. It also improves brain health by getting its two hemispheres working together with the logic side keeping you coloring inside the lines and your creative side selecting which colors are being used within your artwork. Plus the light from electronic devices reduces the sleep hormone, melatonin, so coloring instead of scrolling through the Internet, playing video games or viewing tv can help you get a better night's sleep.

So who wants to do some coloring?! During these uncertain and stressful times this activity sure seems to be a nice way to calm down and relax while having a fun time. My son sure has been enjoying Dinosaurs: A Smithsonian Coloring Book and Airplanes: A Smithsonian Coloring Book. 

Aviation lovers of all ages can soar through the skies with some of the most recognized and revered airplanes from the collection at the National Air and Space Museum with the Airplanes: A Smithsonian Coloring Book. Filled with detailed descriptions by museum experts and the thrilling artistry of John Pirtel, learn about the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Lockheed Vega 5-B, Northrop Gamma Polar Star, McDonnell F-4S Phantom II, Concorde, and many more fascinating aircraft. The detailed pen and ink illustrations within this coloring book invite you to strap in and experience thrilling scenes of these aircraft in action which can be customized with your own creativity.

You can also explore millions of years of animal wonders, guided by experts from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the artistic wizardry of Rachel Curtis with Dinosaurs: A Smithsonian Coloring Book. These lush pen and ink illustrations invite you to step into captivating scenes featuring the herbivorous Stegosaurus, the sea-dwelling Hesperornis, the giant sauropod Camarasaurus, the mighty Tyrannosaurus, and many more. Fans of dinosaurs will be transported to prehistoric landscapes through the pages of this coloring book.

Airplanes and dinosaurs really didn't capture my daughter's fancy. She is very interested though in checking out the upcoming coloring book that IDW Publishing has in the works with the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. This coloring book is for the birds ... literally! It is full of these high flying feathered creatures. Going birding is a favorite activity my daughter enjoys doing with her good old dad and she is keeping her eyes out for Birds: A Smithsonian Coloring Book.

USA TODAY publishes free coloring book themed around the 2016 presidential elections

With the Iowa Caucuses concluded, the 2016 presidential election is now officially in full swing as candidates duke it out in a series of state contests across the country over the next few months in hopes of being his or hers party nominee on the November 8th Election Day ballot when voters ultimately determine the next President of the United States.  For those folks who may become irked by the barrage of television ads, telemarketing calls, and direct mail that sweeps through communities during the campaign season or stressed out by knowing that one of these candidates, probably the one you find the most ridiculous, offensive or obnoxious, could very well be the next leader of the free world, USA TODAY is providing a way for voters to unwind and relieve their stress.  Color your anxiety and stress away with USA TODAY's free presidential election themed coloring book "Shades of the Campaign."

This 14 page coloring book can be downloaded at no charge from the USA TODAY website at your leisure.  Color portraits of Democratic and Republican front-runners Clinton, Sanders, Trump, Cruz, and Rubio.  Shade in a map of the country predicting which states will be declared Red or Blue on election night.  Decorate images of political operatives sporting donkey and elephant campaign buttons on their lapels.  Or just engage in some silliness coloring an Uncle Sam poster or image of a jackass boxing against a pachyderm.  There are a couple of non-political sheets promoting voting filled with patterns for people to decorate included in the coloring book as well.

USA TODAY's Shades of the Campaign coloring book can be used as a civics lesson to spur a discussion with children about the presidential elections and American democracy.  It is also detailed enough to fall within the trend of adult coloring books that have emerged as today's hot pop culture sensation. Adult coloring books aren't just the newest entertainment fad, health care professionals are encouraging this new trend noting that for adults taking some time out to color can reduce stress, spark creativity, maintain fine motor skills, help keep your mind sharp, and can be just plain fun to do.   Ever wonder what reporters are doing while they are waiting around for candidates to take the stage at debates or arrive at public appearances on the campaign trail? I bet they are coloring!

So the next time you read or hear a presidential candidate stating something your sensibilities find particularly obnoxious lower your blood pressure and put a smile back on your face by grabbing some crayons or colored pencils and a copy of USA TODAY's Shades of the Campaign coloring book.  CLICK HERE to download and print out one for yourself for free.