Harmony House Art Studio is pleased to announce a new book for young naturalists! Wild and Wonderful: A Child’s Guide to the Arkansas River and the Creatures that Live There, will be released January 1, 2026. The book is done and ready to go to press. We are currently taking orders in advance for those persons interested. This book was written to compliment an exhibit currently at the Buell Children’s Theater at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center (September 24-March 2026). For four years, I worked on one painting at a time, adding thick textures and bold colors, to encourage kids to participate in the art exhibit experience. While most children and adults are encouraged not to touch art, this exhibit invites it. I am a visually impaired artist, who believes art can be healing and educational.I love the idea that children can actively participate in the art exhibit. Her book, Wild and Wonderful allows children to read about Colorado’s rivers and it’s creatures who live in rivers, creeks, wetlands, and other waterways.

Water is, and always has been, a great healer of body and soul for me. I love the soothing sounds of a brook or creek as it flows over a grassy meadow, or the rush of rapids in larger rivers. Being near water fills me with a deep sense of peace, renewal, and a deeper connection to the natural world. This coloring/activity book, Wild and Wonderful, is my effort to share my love of rivers and waterways in our state, and the creatures that live here. I was inspired by Chief  Seattle, a member of the Suquamish and Duwamish nations (Born: 1786-Died: June 7, 1866) and his letter to President Franklin Pierce as the tribes were being forcibly removed from their homelands. His letter was a heartfelt plea for the president to take care the Earth and its creatures. Though he is long gone, Chief Seattle’s words ring true to this very day. We must take care of our planet and its resources—especially our rivers, streams, lakes and waterways. Without freshwater, life cannot exist.

KIDS WILL LEARN ABOUT

Ancient Colorado

Animals in river habitats

Birth of the Arkansas River

Conservation Practices

Drawing and Journaling in the Outdoors

Fascinating Fish Facts

Hands-on Activities

Insects of Colorado

Observing Nature

Prehistoric Aquatic Life

Microscopic lifeforms in rivers and ponds

Rivers of Colorado

Word Search