French Quarter, St. Martin:-- The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the festive launch of a new coloring book, Soualiga Colors. The free launch event will take place from 9am to noon this Saturday, February 15th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. The new book celebrates the rich colors found in St. Martin’s plant and animal life. It will be given away for free at the launch. The event will also feature a coloring station, and a craft station where kids and adults can decorate colorful wooden bookmarks to take home.
Soualiga Colors is the latest in the association’s popular Soualiga series of multi-lingual “color and learn” books for young children. Earlier books in the series include Soualiga Island, Soualiga Sea, Soualiga Birds, and Soualiga Creatures.
“English is the most common language here, but this is a very multi-lingual island,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “That’s why our all-volunteer association makes multi-lingual books for kids. In the Soualiga series, everything is in English, French, Spanish and Dutch.”
Soualiga Colors helps kids learn the names for colors while highlighting the spectacular colors of our local nature. An image guide on the back cover has bright photos of all the featured plants and animals. Inside, kids will find two coloring pages for each color name. Each one has a local plant or animal of that color, with the color name in all four languages. Each coloring page is also paired with a page where they can practice writing the color names.
“By showcasing the unique nature of this island, the Soualiga series makes practicing reading and writing fun! St. Martin educators and parents tell us that the local topics help kids connect more with these skills,” said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “This series is specially created to help kids practice handwriting. And to help teachers inspire their students to practice it, too!”
“For parents and family members who might speak a different language at home, multi-lingual books give them a way to participate in kids’ education,” added Jenn Yerkes. “And it’s pretty cool to learn the names for colors in different languages!”
The free launch event and book giveaway of Soualiga Colors will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, February 15th from 9am to noon, thanks to Delta Petroleum. Amuseum Naturalis is a free museum of nature and heritage located in French Quarter, St. Martin. It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
The book is also available as a free download from http://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.
Free printed copies of Soualiga Colors are being given to local students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book giveaway program. This program is supported by Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, and by Fondation Air France. Soualiga Colors was produced with support from Vie Associative, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, and from Fondation Air France.
