I recently discovered a delightful coloring book about the African penguins of Stony Point, called The Colours of an African Penguin. It was created by a local artist in Betty’s Bay, Xena Gericke. She explained that her goal was to help more children understand and care for the environment. I was certainly surprised to learn from the book that African penguins can dive up to 130 metres under the sea! Clearly, when we learn more about animals, we grow to appreciate them and naturally want to protect them. That way, future generations can enjoy them. Xena wished there had been a child-friendly and informative book like this when she was growing up, so she decided to write one herself. Now, she’s able to share the same joy she felt using colouring books with today’s kids, while also teaching them new words like ‘flipper’.
I especially enjoy the drawing of a penguin with a watch on its flipper, showing that they can hold their breath for four and a half minutes. You might be wondering where Xena learned to draw such fun illustrations. Alongside her love for colouring books, she has always enjoyed the creative process of art since childhood. She completed a 3D animation course at Oaksfield College in Somerset West, where she acquired helpful technical skills that enabled her to create her book’s illustrations more quickly and precisely.
Why write about penguins? Xena said her parents have been volunteer first responders for penguin rescues for the past two years, meaning that by accompanying them, she has spent a lot of time around penguins. Experts at SANCCOB were consulted to ensure the facts in the book are correct. This is definitely not what I expected her to say. I had assumed she had visited the colony as a tourist multiple times throughout her childhood, which inspired her to write the book. Her answer was much more exciting.
Aside from the artwork, it was interesting to learn how the colouring book was made. The book is self-published, through working with CTP Printers in Cape Town. The colours needed to be tweaked to be more visible to readers. Xena has had to do the marketing herself, which she says was a challenge. Fortunately, her mother has been very helpful with her experience in that field. Right now, the book is available to buy in the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens bookshop, the FDDP print shop, Coffee on Clarence, and the SANCCOB coffee shop in Tableview. She hopes more shops will sell it in the future, and other animal colouring books she may write in time.
When I first saw this book, I was interested in its innovative way of presenting and appreciating the natural wonders of this beautiful animal in Betty’s Bay. I did not expect to learn more about penguins through the medium of a colouring book. I’m glad Xena has provided a fun opportunity for children to learn about the environment. I’m glad her passion for wildlife is shown in how she donates 10% of the proceeds from the book to SANCCOB. You should definitely buy this book for the family at Christmas.
Tony Norton