Color Me Hyper

JaNel Farnsworth in Gillette is teaching me about a writing specialty that all of us have seen but probably think little about: coloring books.

I first talked to JaNel last year when she called me at the Wyoming Arts Council looking for assistance with her distinctive “Read ‘n’ Color” books, which she writes and illustrates. Each one addresses a different disability or health-care issue. One is about a childhood cancer, “Cancer’s Not for Wimps.” Another is about a girl who receives an organ donation, “Last Act of Kindness.” She has a book about kids who struggle with school because they are “different.”

I asked if she had ever done a book on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. It’s a subject she hadn’t covered. So we collaborated on a “Read ‘n’ Color” book called “The Hummingbird Mind.” I sent her some essays I’d written about my son Kevin’s ADHD. She transformed that into verse, drew the illustrations, and we were rolling.

JaNel printed a 1,000 of the books, which features Kevin’s story and an “afterword” by me. Wyoming UPLIFT (I'm on its board) bought 250 copies for the ADHD kids and parents who attend its three “Attention Camps” each summer in Cheyenne, Casper, and Lander.

It's a great book for parents to color with their young ADHD kids (if you can get them to sit for 15 minutes). It's also the best way to support JaNel's homegrown Wyoming business. Copies are $7.95 each from JaNel or from me via e-mail. I will offer it on the hummingbirdminds store when it's up and ruuning.