Really Big Coloring Books
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Wayne Bell |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Nonfiction topics | Coloring books |
| Official website | http://www.ColoringBook.com |
Really Big Coloring Books, Inc (RBCB) is an American publisher based in St. Louis, Missouri. The company develops, publishes and distributes children’s coloring and activity books, many of which are over two feet tall. Some of their products have been controversial due to their political content.[1]
Company Overview
Really Big Coloring Books was established in 1981 by publisher Wayne Bell.[2] The company publishes coloring and activity books covering a wide range of topics, including animals and religious themes. The company is best known for its politically themed coloring books, covering subjects such as Barack Obama, the Tea Party Movement,[3] and Occupy Wall Street.[4] The company distributes its coloring books through wholesale and retail outlets as well as the company's websites. The company claims that it owns roughly 800 domain names related to coloring books.[2] Really Big Coloring Books also distributes its coloring books through a fundraising division. The company states that their fundraising efforts have helped raise millions of dollars for organizations around the world.[2][5]
Controversy
Really Big Coloring Book Company makes coloring book to tell 'the truth' about terrorism, spoofs Rolling Stone's Tsarnaev cover
A Missouri company's coloring book, which Comic Coloring Book Boston Bomber Rolling Stone Spoof, contains images criticizing Usama bin Laden and Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev after he was featured on a controversial Rolling Stone cover.
Wayne Bell, publisher of Really Big Coloring Books, says the company produced the book after receiving thousands of phone calls and emails from customers and educators about the Rolling Stone cover.
“We listen to what people say and they complained … like hard-core, about making the terrorist guy look like a rock star” Bell told FoxNews.com. “Since Tsarnaev was on the front cover of Rolling Stone, we thought he deserved the back cover of a [coloring] book.”
Yes We Did President Barack Obama 2008
The company gained national attention in 2008 by publishing the " Yes We Did - President Barack Obama Coloring and Activity Book" listing the first ever such published book on Amazon.com.[6] Shipped out on November 8th, 2008 this was the first in the Really Big Coloring Books cultural event series of coloring novels. The coloring book, recommended for children, parents and educators was praised by many and denounced by some. Critics argued the book was a left wing brain washing tool of the extreme liberal Democratic Party. Wayne Bell, Publisher maintains a position the book reflects the historic event of the USA's first duly elected African American Heritage President Barack H. Obama.
The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids
The company again gained national attention in 2010 following their publishing of The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids.[7] The coloring book, recommended for children aged two to five, contained passages reading "When taxes are too high, the high tax takes away jobs and freedom" and "In 1773 we had a Tea Party and this led to freedom from high taxes. Today we are having another Tea Party and this will lead to freedom from high taxes again!"[8] Critics argued that the coloring book was not appropriate for children, and instead was more suitable for politically right-wing adults due to its positive references to the Tea Party.[9] The publisher of the coloring book, Wayne Bell, has asserted that the intentions of the The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids are not political.[10]
We Shall Never Forget 9/11: The Kids Book of Freedom
Really Big Coloring Books received notice once again in 2011 when the company published We Shall Never Forget 9/11: The Kid's Book of Freedom. The coloring book was released prior to the ten-year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and drew criticism from American Muslim groups for its representation of Muslims.[11] The book contained references to "Radical Islamic Muslim Extremists" ten times and text stating "some Muslim people believe the attacks were a conspiracy caused by Jews".[12] The coloring book also asserted that the September 11th terrorist attacks "will change the way America deals with and views the Islamic and Muslim people around the world".[13] Despite the controversy surrounding the book and its disputed suitability for children, the company claimed it was having trouble meeting demand for their product.[14] In response to the controversy, the company stated that it has donated a portion of the profits from the coloring book to the non-profit organization Bridges for Peace.[15]
Being Gay Is Okay with Gay Sharing Cards 2013
Published March 26th, 2013: As an innovative coloring and activity book for children, adults and educators on Gay life while introducing the Fabulous Gay Sharing Cards™ of role models. CBS News reported, "Being Gay is Okay" coloring book is like nothing you or your children have ever seen before" and referred to the book as controversial.[16] Child Psychologist Deb Pontillo said "You know, I think it's education, and I don't think there's ever a harm to education".[17] Designed as an introduction to the diverse LGBT community and history. Participants in making of the book were 50% LGBT members and 50% people that previously knew little about the gay community. OUT Magazine reported "Overall, the novel’s main message is that being gay is something to be celebrated and there is community, history and resources to be found in LGBTQ culture."[18] Publisher Wayne Bell insisted "The book is about education, diversity and inclusion. Every part of the book is suitable for parents, educators and all children. There is nothing in the book about sex and there is no agenda, it is about reality thru honest introduction of issues some people must face".[19]
References
- ^ "Death threats for Tea Party Coloring Book Publisher". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "About Us". Coloringbook.com. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "The Book Bench: A 9/11 Coloring Book". The New Yorker. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "St. Louis Company Releases Occupy Wall Steet Coloring Book". CBS St. Louis. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "Coloring books grow up - St. Louis Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. 2002-07-14. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
- ^ "President Barack Obama A Coloring & Activity Book (9780976318682): ColoringBook.com, Really Big Coloring Books: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
- ^ "Tea Party Coloring Book Publisher Says he's Getting Death Threats". Fox News. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Wayne Bell Posts". CBS News. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Tea Party Coloring Book". KSDK. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Tea Party Coloring Book Prompts Death Threats". CBS News. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "9/11 Coloring Book Draws Criticism". International Business Times. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Muslim Groups Express Outrage over Coloring Novel that Depicts 9/11". Fox News. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Coloring History, Tragedy". NBC 5 - Dallas/Fort Worth. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "9/11 Coloring Book Sparks Outrage from Muslim Group". TIME. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ Flood, Alison (31 August 2011). "9/11 Children's Colouring Book Angers U.S. Muslims". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "Controversial gay coloring book hits store shelves - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8". cbs8.com. 2013-06-20. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
- ^ "Dr. Deb Featured on CBS 8 News". How2helpmychild.com. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
- ^ "Being Gay Is Okay—With Trading Cards | Out Magazine". Out.com. 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
- ^ "Controversial coloring book educates kids on homosexuality". Myfoxaustin.com. Retrieved 2013-06-24.