CBR15Passport Genre
Just stay with me on this, okay? Yes, I know that Super Mario Deluxe Paint Box (Nintendo) is a painting coloring book (with paints and paint brush included) and not a “reading book” at a first glance. However, the text level and number of words lends itself to be about a kindergartener to (younger) second grade reading level. And it is informative. Okay, maybe not to the kid who is a fan, but to me the adult who yes, knows who Mario is (a video game guy who likes to jump and has a skinny, green capped friend/brother), but not the other characters. I know Mario Cart, but I did not realize the character I once picked was the villain, Bowser, (though in hindsight that made sense as I like a good villain). So, as I was reading this book, I learned the names of characters and some of the things they can do. Now if I am around my nephew (whom I eventually gave the book to), I can say, “That is Mario and Luigi.” Or “This is a mushroom that does this….: I can interact with a child/with him.
Therefore, this is a CBR15Passport Genre book simply because it is giving you/me information in a coloring book. Coloring books are not just to put color into, no they are also books that you can take knowledge from as well (this Steve Foxe and Random House book is simple but check out Dover books). Now I should have realized after Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came back about 10-15 years ago (and still going strong), that eventually Mario would come back. But I did not think it would be this popular. Or to at least to the point of movies, books and even these younger tie-in items.
I enjoy finding ways to “multitask” a book (you should see me with I Spy and Junior I Spy books), and by making this Mario Deluxe coloring book a coloring book and a factual book, not only does it allow my nephew enjoyment (he does like his crafts), I can enjoy it, too, plus have a bonding moment.