NEWS
COLORING BOOK TEACHES KIDS ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION
Four undergraduate and two graduate Illustration students created a lively coloring book, published by New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, to educate elementary school students about the city’s water system. The story follows Drippy, a water droplet, on a journey from upstate watersheds through New York City’s homes and wastewater treatment plants.
The collaboration was initiated by Town+Gown, a division of the New York City Department of Design and Construction that connects city agencies with colleges and universities to work on research and creative projects. Dan Shefelman and Brendan Leach, chairs of FIT’s undergraduate and graduate Illustration programs, respectively, oversaw the students.
Shefelman believes one page in particular will appeal to young children: the “four Ps” of what can be flushed (pee, poop, puke, and paper). “The students are gonna love finding that,” he says. “That’s what’s going to make this a hit.”