If it’s Tuesday it must be toys and tours

"Brown Teddy Bear" by Lydia Jacobs

Welcome to the newest edition of, “If it’s Tuesday it must be toys and tours.” Like our sister columns, Wednesday’s “Book Report,” Thursday’s “Musical Notes” and Friday’s “Popcorn Report,” which respectively features information on books, music and movies, this weekly post highlights the best in product offerings in the world of toys, games, puzzles, crafts, sporting goods and vacation specials for children and teens, as well as industry news and up-to-date product recalls from United States Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Be sure to check back each Tuesday.

This week we’ll take a look at coloring books that not only offer an opportunity for artistic coloring self-expression but include an educational component. We’ll also share some news on a tour offering at Crayola, and take a look at current product recalls that you may have missed.

COLORING BOOKS

Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book

By Cicely Mary Barker

This 24-page classic is a reissue of the original bestselling Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book. A combination of charming fairy images paired with alphabetical flower names. There are no "U" or "X" fairies,  however it is a splendid visual composite from a master 19^th Century artist whose illustrations were prized for recreating the grace of children and the finite detail of nature. The coloring book is suggested for ages 4-8, but older children will enjoy the coloring details as well.

Amazon.com offers a page selection view of the Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book in addition to more detailed product information. Regular price through Amazon.com for this product is $4.99. Amazon Marketplace has best pricing for $2.05.

Masterpieces - A fact-filled coloring book

Written and illustrated by Steven Zorn and Mary Martin

This 128- page coloring book, perfect for ages 9-12, introduces children to some of the greatest works of art from such masters as Gaugin, Renior, Degas and Whistler to name a few. Sixty pages of easy-to-color, simplified versions of great works of art from the last 500 years are accompanied with stories about each painter.

Amazon.com offers a page selection view of Masterpieces – A fact-filled coloring book as well as more detailed product information.  Regular price through Amazon.com for this product is $9.95. Amazon Marketplace has best pricing for $6.09.

Life in a Medieval Castle and Village Coloring Book

By John Green

Medieval history springs to life in this 42-page coloring book of detailed drawings with captions. Scenes of banquets, castles, battles and every day life are perfect for children 4-8.

Amazon.com offers a page selection view of Life in a Medieval Castle and Village Coloring Book as well as more detailed product information.  Regular price through Amazon.com for this product is $3.95. Amazon Marketplace has best pricing at $1.65.

Wild Animals Coloring Book

By: John Green

Children ages 4-8 will learn about 47 different species in this 48-page coloring book. Finely detailed line renderings with captions introduce animals such as snow leopard, gorilla, reindeer, kangaroo and more.

Amazon.com offers a page selection view of the Wild Animals Coloring Book as well as more detailed product information.  Regular price through Amazon.com for this product is $3.95. Amazon Marketplace has best pricing for $1.02.

Let’s Learn Italian Coloring Book

By: Anne-Francoise Hazzan

Teaching a child a second language is easiest the younger they are when you introduce the language. Let’s Learn Italian is geared for the toddler/preschool set with simplified illustrations that reflects each letter of the alphabet along with a single word at the top of each page.

The Let’s Learn Coloring Book series is also available in French, Spanish and German, however these editions are more appropriate for ages 4-8 years.

Amazon.com offers a page selection view of Let’s Learn Italian Coloring Book as well as more detailed product information.  Regular price through Amazon.com for this product is $9.69. Amazon Marketplace has best pricing for $3.95.

TOURS

The Crayola Factory

If your summer vacation is taking you to Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley region, one of the most fun places to visit is The Crayola Factory at 30 Centre Square in Easton.

More of an activity center than a true factory, you and your child will nonetheless see how crayons are manufactured, in addition to having a splendid time partaking in a number of fun-filled coloring activities and exhibits, as well as shopping in their amazing gift store that houses the world’s largest crayon.

Open year round with tickets priced at $10.24 for adults and children over three. Seniors ticket price is $9.71 and children under three are FREE. Admission to The Crayola Factory also includes a FREE admission to the National Canal Museum.

You can learn more about The Crayola Factory and The National Canal Museum from the video below, or you can plan your trip and purchase advance tickets through TicketWeb at The Crayola Factory website.

 PRODUCT SAFETY RECALLS AND NEWS

As of this publication, no new Toy/Sports and Recreation product recalls or news have been listed on the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) website since last week’s post.

If you are searching for other consumer product items such as household, outdoor products, utensils, furniture and clothing that may relate to all family members, please review additional listings at the CPSC’s search page.