Submitted by Bibi LeBlanc
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Orlando, FL - June 6, 2022) - A coloring book published by Culture to
Color to bring cheer to patients young and old in healthcare facilities
during COVID-19 has won the highest award from the Independent
Book Publishers Association (IBPA).
The project, Endangered Animals of North America, received a
Benjamin Franklin Gold Award at the IBPA’s annual gala, held April 29,
2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Published in May 2021, the book features 45 full-page illustrations of
endangered species, with bilingual (English/Spanish) narratives about
each animal.
“We are delighted that our Endangered Animals project has brought
joy and relief to many of those who were isolated with health concerns
during the pandemic,” said Bibi LeBlanc, founder and CEO of Culture to
Color. “Thank you to the IBPA for this wonderful recognition.”
Learn more about Endangered Animals of North America.
According to the Publishers Association, the entries in this year’s
contest were judged by 171 book industry professionals, from librarians
and booksellers to writers and designers. In all, the IBPA received 1,894
entries.
Judges called Endangered Animals “a great book with a purpose,” “a
wonderful educational coloring book,” and “very engaging for kids.”
“This book demonstrates the concept that learning can be fun and
enjoyable! I really like the idea of having some good quality informative
content and the opportunity to show one’s creativity and imagination
through coloring,” one IBPA reviewer wrote.
“I loved the approach to get the next generation interested in
preserving and protecting animals,” wrote another judge.
Endangered Animals of North America, an Amazon bestseller, has also
won a silver medal from the Florida Author & Publisher Association.
LeBlanc said the project began with coloring kits—loose-leaf coloring
pages with colored pencils or markers—that her team distributed to
hospitals and retirement homes near Culture to Color headquarters in
DeLand, Florida. “We’re thinking of you,” they wrote on notes attached
to the hundreds of kits they gave away at the height of the pandemic. When someone asked if Culture to Color had a similar kit for children,
she contacted one of her designers and asked for five designs of
endangered animals local to Florida. The illustrations were so beautiful,
LeBlanc said, that she decided to make an entire book, and expand the
scope to include Canada and Central America.
“A lot of emotions go into the creation of a book: the joys and pains, the
frustrations and ultimately the satisfaction when it is complete,”
LeBlanc said during her award acceptance speech. “At Culture to Color, we are grateful to those who inspire us, as well as everyone who
contributed to the creative process behind Endangered Animals of
North America.”
Contact Culture to Color if you’re interested in receiving a free review
copy of Endangered Animals of North America. Author Bibi LeBlanc is
available for interviews.
Culture to Color is a publishing company that highlights the countless
stories in communities around the world in a fresh, appealing way—
through engaging and educational coloring books.
