A Nanaimo man’s interest in scuba diving has resulted in him becoming a writer of children’s colouring books.
Earlier this year Don Ravensbergen released his first book, Vancouver Island: Colour my Seas of Green and he recently followed that up with his second release Pets are People Too.
Ravensbergen has been scuba diving in the Nanoose Bay area for the past 10 years. He said it was something he always wanted to do and he quickly got hooked.
“I started diving when I was turning 50 years old. Kind of a bucket list thing,” he said. “And I just immediately, absolutely loved scuba diving.”
When he thought of making a colouring book, he turned to his diving for inspiration.
“I guess at some point I all of a sudden thought, ‘I always loved art and I love to read,’ and so I started writing and drawing and it just kind of came together,” Ravensbergen said. “I thought it was a unique idea to have a book that was a storybook and also a colouring book.”
Marine life is the star of his first book, with words and illustrations describing the sea creatures he’s seen. His second book focuses on domestic animals. In writing colouring books, Ravensbergen has found another captivating pastime.
“I already have another idea in my head cooking,” he said. “And I’ve already started some drawing and I’ve got probably a half dozen verses towards my next project.”
Ravensbergen’s books are available in Nanaimo at Children’s Treehouse, Country Club Centre; Kool and Child, 2517 Bowen Rd.; Nanaimo Dive Outfitters, 2205 Northfield Rd.; Sundown Diving, 22 Esplanade; and Harbour Chandler, 52 Esplanade.
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