A pair of local scuba diving enthusiasts have taken their incredible expeditions to the pages of a colouring book.
Joey Postma and Alisha Perron have created a new colouring book called "Sharks, Turtles & Underwater Things" which is on sale at Creative Learning and the North Bay Museum later this month.
Perron, who is a marine biologist, says they have always wanted to write and publish some form of a book-guide that showcases their work.
"As COVID progressed and schools and daycares closed down, we began to notice many families adamantly searching for things to do and activities to both educate and keep their kids entertained during the workweek," explained Alisha.
"It slowly dawned on us that in light of current events, now might be the perfect opportunity to put together a carefully crafted colouring book, where kids could not only embrace their creative side but also learn a little in the process."
See related: Local couple promoting scuba diving in Canada
Perron says the book is a great way to promote some of their environmental concerns.
"The colouring book was born from my underwater photography taken in various locations all over the world and pieced together as a means to educate, inform and inspire," Alisha said.
"Although sometimes it can be hard to imagine, kids are an incredible resource when it comes to fuelling ocean conservation. Their curious, selfless and untainted view of the world has not only created some of the most influential movements on the planet but also, on a smaller scale, help shape family and community perspectives."
Perron says the book is centred on things that can be found below the waterline.
"From the powerful jaws of a shark to the gentle pulse of a jellyfish, this book was created based on our collection of underwater photography broken down into simple patterns and paired with interesting species-specific information," she explained.
"Each page features the name and sketch of a salt or freshwater animal, their real-life image, and a fun educational fact.
"Inspired by the magic and profound experiences we’ve encountered, together we’ve compiled a paperback and online colouring book to help parents and kids explore the underwater world from their living room or kitchen table. As strong advocates for scuba diving and ocean education in Canada, our book affords parents the opportunity to add a dash of colour and a splash of water to their kid’s summer activities all while encouraging ocean literacy."
