Qualicum Beach teacher Ashley Kuramoto is excited for the release of her second interactive colouring book, which highlights local spots in the great outdoors.
Kuramoto said half the proceeds from sales of Little Adventurers Vancouver Island: Nanoose Bay and Lantzville Edition will go to Surfrider Foundation Pacific Rim. The other half will go to the retailers. Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans and beaches.
“It’s important for me to give back to the community,” Kuramoto said. “Taking that time to clean up beaches and parks as we go is really important to me, and to respect the environment. Respect the trails and if you see something, say something.”
The book features lots of family-friendly places to visit in the Nanoose Bay area, along with a scavenger hunt component that lets children search for fun things at that location. Kuramoto created the scavenger hunts with the help of her daughter Claire.
For example, at Brickyard Community Park, explorers can search for “a stump taller than you”, “what used to be a wharf” and a “rock split in two,” among others.
Each entry includes the location’s co-ordinates, an explanation of the area and even lets the reader know if the destination is accessible and if it has a bathroom. On the right side is a colouring page illustrated by Kuramoto.
READ MORE: Qualicum Beach teacher releases interactive colouring book
The book includes familiar spots like Moorecroft Regional Park, Es-hw Sme~nts Community Park (also known as Oak Leaf Park) and Jack Bagley Community Park.
Kuramoto grew up in Nanoose Bay so she knows the area well.
“These are all my personal favourite places that I enjoyed as a kid. But I didn’t give all the secret locations up,” she said.
Kuramoto’s first book Little Adventurers Vancouver Island: Qualicum Beach Edition was released last November and has already sold more than 300 copies, raising $3,000 for the Mamas for Mamas Vancouver Island charity.
It’s hard to pick just one out of so many great spots, but Kuramoto said Nanoose Bay Elementary School, which she attended as a child, is her favourite. There is a brand new and accessible playground with wheelchair ramps, and close by are pickleball and tennis courts. A bathroom is planned for construction to replace a portable toilet.
She has already planned a third edition for next year, which will help children and parents explore Parksville and Errington. Proceeds will go to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre.
Kuramoto hopes to eventually cover the whole Island in her series.
Her new book is available at the Qualicum Toy Shop (5 - 211 2nd Ave W), the Qualicum Beach Information Centre (2711 Island Highway W) the Qualicum Beach Museum (587 Beach Rd.), and Parksville retailers Tigh Na Mara (1155 Resort Dr.), Bumble Baby Boutique (109 Hirst Ave E). The book can also be found at the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre (1275 Island Hwy E) and Nanaimo retailers Pea Shoots Consignment (2634 Beaver Creek Cres.) and Island-ish (5299 Rutherford Rd.).
Kuramoto will be signing books at the Tigh Na Mara from 10 a.m. to noon on March 24. There will also be a free scavenger hunt and other fun activities.