Color Oceanic Art (World Culture Coloring)

The 'Color Oceanic Art' book in the "World Culture Coloring Series," extends far beyond a regular coloring book. There are thirty-eight pages filled with images that are both culturally rich and stunning, complete with a brief historical footnote for each image. Pages also include a synopsis of the art form along with two bonus pages. Images are multifunctional and besides coloring, can be used to create cutouts, masks, and various other crafts. Overall, the images are carefully chosen to inspire creativity in the minds of all the participants.

Research has shown that drawing and coloring are vitally important creative outlets for young children as they enable them to become immersed in their own colorful imaginary worlds which can be translated onto paper. Significantly, these activities are not only fun but also support a child’s educational and creative development, a fact which Mrinal Mitra, author, and illustrator of the popular World Culture Coloring Series, is clearly cognizant. His books, which, amongst others, include Color Egyptian Art, Color Phoenician Art, Color African Art, and Color American Indian Art, not only provide depictions of a diverse range of culturally significant artworks (all of which can easily be colored or decorated in a multitude of ways), they also include key pieces of historical or contextual information for each item. The wide selection of artworks included in each book not only serves as an inspiration for creativity but also as an introduction to the unique themes, concepts, and ideas that are prevalent in that particular artistic tradition. The series’ skillful blending of creative fun and instructive learning makes these books an invaluable pedagogical resource that can easily be used by both teachers and parents alike. Having integrated one of these coloring books into the educational program of a local museum, I can personally affirm both the popularity of this series amongst children and its pedagogical potential. I look forward to seeing what other cultures will be added to the series in the future.

Dr. Mark Woolmer, February 17, 2017Durham University, Department of Classics and Ancient History, 38 North Bailey, Durham, United Kingdom, DH1 3EU.

Mrinal Mitra has earned a number of prestigious awards both Indian and International and received honors for his outstanding illustrations. Some of his recognitions include; The Noma Concours Award, Japan (twice), Illustrators Award, and Children's Choice Award, India. Honors from German Television "Transtel", and UNICEF, New York. Many of his talented artworks have been exhibited in countries such as; India, Japan, Italy, the Czech Republic, and New Zealand. Mitra has designed and illustrated many trades and educational children's books for both Indian publishers as well as multinational Book Publishers around the globe. Some of his publishers include; Oxford and Cambridge University Press, UK, World Book Inc., and Simon and Schuster, USA, Wendy Pye Publishing Ltd., New Zealand, and McGraw-Hill, Australia. Currently residing in Canada, Mitra now works on a variety of traditional and digital art and continues to astonish the world with his beautiful art.