The FUN ART-ivity Book: 100 pages of fun and creativity

MANILA, Philippines — Today’s kids have a wealth of technology at their fingertips – TV, gaming consoles, 3D movies, the Internet, cellphones, music players and iPads — but it’s still possible to keep them entertained for hours with good, old-fashioned fun.

This is the premise behind the “FUN ART-ivity Book,” the latest venture of novelty publishing company ArteSana, which introduced the popular “Passport” travel journals and the “My Little Pink Book” diary to the local market.

The “FUN ART-ivity Book” is a 100-page book that encourages fun and creativity, featuring the freehand art of renowned children’s book illustrator Beth Parrocha Doctolero.
 
Sana Sta. Ana, the brains behind ArteSana, says she created the “FUN Art-ivity Book” to get kids to discover the simple joys of doodling and writing.

“I want kids to use their imagination and creativity. This book taps the budding artist in every child and child-at-heart to show their creative and artistic talents.”

The FUN ART-ivity book is packed with a hundred pages of doodling and coloring, spellingout hours of creativity for kids aged 5-10, and even older kids. The book can also be shared with siblings, friends, and even parents, providing opportunities for bonding.

The fun begins with the cover – kids can personalize their copy by scrawling their name on the cover to mark their ownership of the book.

Inside, the book is filled with creative exercises that showcase their self-portrait, family, house, neighborhood, friends, school, favorite things, and hobbies. There are also exercises that feature special occasions, weather, and the alphabet.

Another special feature of the book is a section on the Rights of the Child.

“I want kids to learn about their rights in a simple and fun way, with the help of their parents or older siblings and relatives,” Sana states.

The book also helps kids learn the concept of giving back or paying it forward .

“The back section contains information on various children's foundations so the kids can write or e-mail kids who are less fortunate than them,” Sana explains.

Aside from this, for each copy of the “FUN ART-ivity Book” sold, a child living in a poor community supported by ATD Fourth World Philippines, He Cares Foundation, Makabata School Foundation, Museo Pambata, or the Puerto Galera Mini Library Project will also receive a copy.

Parrocha Doctolero’s freehand drawings are done in a simple, artistic style that encourages ideas to come alive on paper, making the “FUN ART-ivity Book” reminiscent of doodle books by drawing masters Ed Emberley and Taro Gomi.

Pages and pages of drawing space will get the young minds thinking, and keep the little hands busy for hours — without any gadgets!

The “FUN ART-ivity Book” is available for R200 at Papemelroti branches in Metro Manila, SM Clark and SM Pampanga; Museo Pambata; Powerbooks; Fully Booked; Libreria (Cubao X); and the Santa Claus Bazaar at the La Vista Clubhouse (La Vista, Quezon City) on Dec. 11 and 12. Contact ArteSana at 641-0201 and 0917-8362250 for bulk orders — 10% discount for a minimum order of 10 pieces until December 20, 2010.