The development of a unique colouring book is the latest edition to resources developed locally for Low-German speaking children and adults.
A group of volunteers, working with the County of Lethbridge Literacy Program, has already produced an illustrated storybook which not only helps to document Low-German stories but provides both children and parents with a way to connect through literacy.
A Low-German cooking book was the first project undertaken by volunteers whose first language is Low-German.
The third chapter has led to the development of a colouring book which helps Low-German speaking children practice their alphabet and numbers, developing their English skills as they colour.
ABC enn Zohlen, ABC and Numbers was first proposed as part of the storybook but it soon became more feasible to develop it as a colouring book.
“This is more than a colouring book. This is more for little ones,” said Esther Froese who served as project co-ordinator.
Judy Millard who is the literacy program co-ordinator, said the storybook was geared more to older children.
The decision was made to develop the storybook first.
“I had fun and I learned a lot,” said Froese.
The project allowed her the opportunity to improve her computer skills. She spearheaded the project and involved other mothers in the Low-German speaking community. They gathered at her home to help put the colouring book together.
Most of the pictures in the book are by Maria Neustaeter. Froese shared the credit for developing the book with Susana Dyck who started the literacy project in the fall of 2007 which lead to the storybook and now the colouring book.
“They felt they’d like to have stories they could read to their kids,” said Millard of the storybook.
“They are all true stories,” added Froese.
The colouring book also provides an opportunity to teach English as a second language. It can serve as a resource for teaching children the alphabet and their numbers in both Low-German and English. So far the pair said there has been good response to the colouring book.
It is available at the literacy office in Coaldale and at Wiebe Sausage. Those who are interested in the book can also call the office at 403-345-3160 or Froese at 403-345-5356.
Millard said she has been getting requests for the storybook from all over the province from other literacy programs. The new colouring book was completed at the end of last June and was officially launched this past October at the Coaldale Public Library.
Among those attending the launch were those volunteers who helped put the book together. Millard believes both the storybook and the colouring book can serve as resources for schools in the region who have Low-German speaking students.
The cost of the colouring book is $4 to cover the cost of producing it.
“It’s more than just a colouring book,” she said.
She sees it as a beneficial literacy tool.