Qualicum Beach teacher Ashley Kuramoto did not expect to release a third interactive colouring book so soon, but she received so much feedback that she knew it was time.
Little Adventurers Vancouver Island: Parksville, Errington, Coombs Edition is a fun guide to family-friendly places to visit, along with scavenger hunts and illustrations to colour.
“It’s just been this wild whirlwind, and as soon as I finished No. 2, it was like, ‘so, when’s your next one?’” said Kuramoto, author of two earlier installments that focus on Qualicum Beach and Nanoose Bay. She is also pursuing a master’s degree, while working as an elementary school teacher.
Half the proceeds of each $10 book will go to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) in Errington, with the other half going to retailers. If you pick up the book at the wildlife centre then full proceeds will go to NIWRC.
Readers will find themselves at familiar places like Parksville Community Park and Rathtrevor Beach, but also lesser-known spots such as Maple Lane Community Park, tucked away in San Pareil.
“You only know it if you live there and even when you drive past it, you don’t know there’s a park because there’s a grassy patch,” she said. “And then you have to walk down the patch and you’ll see this beautiful almost brand new park, they just built it last year.”
The book encourages children and parents to check out the park’s forested area, kick a ball round the field and search for scavenger hunt items like a woodpecker feast, a snail to ride and a home for a rabbit.
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She and her daughter Claire enjoyed visiting spots, both old favourites and hidden gems. Errington Park stood out for Kuramoto because of its trail system and nearby Saturday market, while Claire especially enjoyed the mini bike road and bridges in Foster Park.
Kuramoto hopes the book will introduce people to new and fun places to visit and enjoy.
New in this third book is the inclusion of some new local businesses, as well as indoor places such as the Parksville Museum and the Parksville branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library. It also highlights work done by volunteer organizations to rehabilitate the environment.
“These things don’t just magically happen, like people do the work to make it happen,” she said.
Kuramoto dedicated the book to her grandparents, who taught her the importance of respecting nature and picking up garbage while out on the trails, even if it’s not yours.
There will be a book launch event at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks on July 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, with plenty of fun activities like face painting, a crafting table, a scavenger hunt, farm animals, library story time and a photo booth.
As a thank you to the community, the first 50 people will receive a free specially designed cookie from Little Cookie Crumb.
The book will be available at 25 retailers in Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs, Nanoose Bay and Nanaimo. Her books are also available online at https://littleadventurersvi.square.site/.
Kuramoto has already planned a fourth book, which will cover Nanaimo. Proceeds from that edition will go towards a charity involved with helping people with mental health. She is hoping for some community suggestions, so if you have one feel free reach out to her at ashleykuramoto@gmail.com.
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