Colorful Cities

05/19/2022

Boston’s Freedom Trail is perfect to explore on foot.
This well marked path documents significant locations in the journey of the American Revolution and Boston’s interesting role in that narrative. The 16 stops are easily seen over a good day’s jaunt, but for deeper history its worth taking the time to learn and reflect.
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Wander and learn – and perhaps color along the way!

Happy Exploring!

04/01/2022

Welcome Colorful Boston!
The latest edition in the Explore & Color series. The sixth book, what? Yes, sixth!!

Filled with classic, must-see landmarks and peppered with uniquely-Boston gems just follow the map or select your next destination from the whimsical illustrations.

Amazing green spaces and public art – stroll the Public Garden, visit the Women’s Memorial (there’s more to explore in this city than a bunch of dead white guys!) on Commonwealth Avenue or check out HarborArts in East Boston.

The historic vibe of Beacon Hill or the modern deconstructivism of MIT’s Stata Center. No need to choose, explore both and learn what makes them unique.

Our books are created from the ground up. We explore, research, jabber with local folks, sketch and photograph all of which goes into the whimsical illustrations. (Three cheers for the amazingly talented Amelia / Hip Hip Hooray!!)
Whether you have a day or a whole vacation to explore Boston, your options are vast. The Black Heritage Trail, Running along the Longfellow Bridge or taking in a Sox game overlooking Fenway's famed Green Monster. And definitely make time for a cannoli and cappuccino (we prefer them extra dry) at Modern Pastry - the best!

Happy Exploring and Welcome to Boston.

02/01/2022

“Enlarge the close contracted mind,
and fill it with thy fire.”
~ Phillis Wheatley 1753-1784
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Born in Gambian and brought to America by slave traders
Named Phillis after the boat that brought her, “the Phillis”
Sold to the Wheatley family of Boston, where she was educated
Wrote poetry at age 14
First published African American woman AND emancipated in 1773
Died at 31 in childbirth
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Ms Wheatley, what a great woman to explore!

01/26/2022

stop and smell the hellebores 🥀🌺. simply one of the best reasons for january

01/20/2022

An enduring Chicago icon.
The infamous Water Tower in all its Gothic Revival splendor makes for great architectural contrast against the sky stretched John Hancock Center behind.
That’s Chicago at it’s heart - - old v new, mash up of styles and cultures that just work together, and without a doubt good people too. (You know who you are! 😘)
Definitely worth exploring.

01/12/2022

Hey Explorers! Find great travel gifts at when you are passing through the Seattle airport. Pan Am bags and Colorful Cities books - Havana or Seattle, anyone?!

05/15/2021

“Colorful Chicago – Explore and Color” wins a **SILVER** Benjamin Franklin Award at tonight’s Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) ceremony! As a publisher this couldn’t be possible without our fabulous team – hip hip hooray! One such amazing person is our super talented illustrator
Time to pop the bubbly!!🍾🍾🍾

05/12/2021

The fabulous Crown Fountain, designed by Jaume Plensa, is an interactive (and potentially immersive!) public art feature in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Two towers made up of LED screens overlook a granite pool and display the faces of 1,000 Chicagoans—with water spraying from their mouths. It’s a novel, friendly integration of technology with community, and a great place to people-watch or to cool off with a splash in the water.
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We are huge fans of Plensa’s work. This multi-talented Spanish artist’s commissioned sculptures in public spaces bring art, and thus joy, to communities and cities around the world.

05/10/2021

"Colorful Chicago - Explore and Color" makes the Independent Book Publishers Association finals! Woot! Travel Guide + Coloring Book that meanders from the Robie House to OZ Park with many colorful stops in between.🏅🏅🏅

The Independent Book Publishers Association's 33rd annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award ceremony, May 11-14, 2021, is generously sponsored by Ingram Content Group.

05/05/2021

Explore and Color Lake Union’s History by Bike!
How fun is that, right?! 🚲🚲🚲
Join Global Family Travels on this fantastic community tour of Seattle’s historic Lake Union. All the locations can be found in Colorful Seattle! Explore Fremont’s quirkiness by Lime Bike as you cruise from Gas Works Park along the lake in the heart of Fremont. A visit at our favorite, Fremont Troll, will be a ‘must stop’ as it tells a compelling story of how one community decided to add whimsical art in its efforts to clean up the neighborhood. You’ll finish your ride at the Center for Wooden Boats for a tour of this truly unique Seattle gem.

A great adventure for explorers of all ages (or more specifically > above 11 and experienced bike riders). Contact [email protected] or visit globalfamilytravels.com for more information.




Happy Exploring!!

04/29/2021

It’s almost “dive into Green Lake weather”! Get your suit and flip flops ready. Green Lake Park is located a few minutes north of downtown. It’s 2.8 mile paved loop around the lake offers runners, bikers and walkers a beautiful, natural scenery in the heart of this urban city. Summer offers two areas to swim and several boat launches. The park also serves as an important natural preserve for countless species of trees and plants, as well as numerous birds and waterfowl. Great Blue Herons!!
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Our mission is to encourage exploration of great cities – the people, places and culture – through the creation of our “Explore & Color” books. Colorful Seattle features many parks throughout the city because we believe parks build communities and strong communities build fabulous cities. Thus, for every copy of Colorful Seattle sold, we make a donation to the Seattle Parks Foundation
Pretty great! 📸:Seattle Municipal Archives & Fiore Power