Susan Striker, award-winning art educator and author, introduces the Anti-Coloring Book app to promote independent creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in children. It is a welcome alternative to social media and violent games.

United States, July 11, 2025 -- Encouraging Creative Independence in Children

Susan Striker, a renowned art educator and author of the bestselling Anti-Coloring Book series, has expanded her innovative approach to fostering creativity in children with the launch of the Anti-Coloring Book App. This digital platform is designed to provide children with a space for self-expression and creative thinking, moving beyond traditional adult-guided activities like coloring books. With the app, children can engage in art experiences that emphasize independence and imagination, rather than simply filling in pre-drawn patterns. Sample art (below) were all done in response to the question “Can you change this pair of scissors into something completely different?” 

Building on the core principles outlined in Striker's widely praised book series - selling over a million copies globally—the app transforms the conventional art activity by focusing on the developmental importance of early creative processes. It offers children a more holistic approach to art, one that encourages critical thinking and a deeper engagement with the creative process.

Redefining Art Education for the Digital Age

For years, Striker has been a vocal advocate for the value of open-ended, unstructured art activities. She emphasizes how fundamental early creative experiences - such as scribbling and experimenting with basic shapes - are essential for children's cognitive and emotional growth. These types of activities naturally incorporate core elements, such as lines and shapes, that form the foundation of literacy and critical thinking. Traditional coloring books, Striker argues, inhibit this creative process by providing overly structured, adult-directed tasks that limit children’s ability to think outside the box and develop their imagination.

The Anti-Coloring Book App diverges from this model by offering children pages that serve as "prompts" rather than pre-made images to color. These pages encourage children to think critically about what they see and imagine, giving them the freedom to create their own unique works of art. Striker’s philosophy challenges the dominant narrative in educational art tools by putting the power of creativity into the hands of the child, rather than relying on the authority of adult expectations.

Building Confidence Through Art and Self-Expression

Striker’s advocacy for this innovative approach comes from her extensive experience as an educator and the research she encountered during her graduate studies. One example that stood out to Striker involved a young boy tasked with drawing a bird. Initially, his drawing was filled with originality, demonstrating a rich capacity for imaginative expression. However, after engaging with a traditional coloring book, the boy’s second attempt resulted in a rigid, uninspired drawing of “flying letter v birds.” This marked decline in creativity and confidence highlighted Striker's belief that structured coloring books limit children's potential and creativity.

Through the Anti-Coloring Book App, Striker’s approach is able to nurture a child’s sense of individuality. Children are prompted to complete drawings or imagine new forms based on open-ended cues - much like the pages of an Anti-Coloring Book. No two drawings are ever the same, and the process emphasizes critical thinking, confidence, and self-expression.

From Paper to Digital: An Evolution in Art Education

The Anti-Coloring Book App is available on iPad, iPhone, and Mini iPad, making it accessible to children, educators, and parents alike. A new version for Android is in the works.  As a teacher-approved educational tool, the app meets rigorous standards for classroom use and is designed to integrate seamlessly into educational environments. Striker’s app brings the Anti-Coloring Book concept to a digital platform, ensuring that children continue to receive the same developmental benefits that the physical books have provided for decades.

The app includes interactive features and activities that encourage exploration and imagination, helping children engage deeply with art in an environment free from the distractions and limitations of conventional online content. By fostering creativity and critical thinking skills, Striker's app serves as a constructive alternative to the violent and competitive games often found online, offering a healthier digital experience for children.

Expanding the Reach of the Anti-Coloring Book Philosophy

Striker’s work has earned her widespread recognition in the field of art education. In 2008, she received the Outstanding Elementary Art Educator Award from the Connecticut Art Education Association. Other accolades include the George M. Estabrook Award for Distinguished Career from Hofstra University Alumni Association and the Celebration of Excellence for Creativity in the Classroom from the State of Connecticut. Her Anti-Coloring Book series, which includes fourteen titles, continues to inspire educators, parents, and children alike for its ability to unlock creativity and promote independent thinking.

Her innovative educational philosophy extends beyond children’s books and now includes a powerful digital resource for all ages. With positive reviews from sources such as Ms. Magazine and the Dallas Morning News, Striker’s work has garnered widespread praise for its ability to inspire creativity,  not only in children but also in adults. In fact, Striker’s Anti-Coloring Book concept now includes a version for Adults Only, offering a unique, constraint-free creative experience for those looking to explore their artistic side without boundaries.

A Step Toward Meaningful Learning Experiences

The Anti-Coloring Book App is a significant step forward in integrating technology with educational principles that support creativity, critical thinking, and cognitive growth. In an age where screen time often competes with educational content, Striker’s app provides an opportunity for children to engage with technology in a way that nurtures their developmental needs and promotes a healthy, active learning environment.

Striker’s work remains rooted in her belief that every child deserves the opportunity to create freely and independently, fostering their imagination and personal expression. The Anti-Coloring Book App represents an exciting new chapter in this vision, offering an engaging and interactive way for children to experience the world of art beyond traditional coloring books.

About Susan Striker and Young At Art

Susan Striker is an award-winning art educator and internationally recognized author. With over many years of experience in teaching and creating educational tools, Striker has become a leading voice in the movement to foster creativity and independent thinking in children. Her books, including the Anti-Coloring Book series, have sold over a million copies worldwide and have been featured in major publications such as Newsweek, Chicago Sun Times, and Los Angeles Times. Striker’s contributions to the field have earned her numerous awards, including the Outstanding Elementary Art Educator Award from the Connecticut Art Education Association and the George M. Estabrook Award for Distinguished Career from Hofstra University Alumni Association.

Young At Art is dedicated to providing educational tools and resources that foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in children. Striker’s latest app is a modern extension of the principles she has championed throughout her career.

Media Contact

Susan Striker
Young at Art Author
Email: susanstriker24@gmail.com

Website SusanStriker.com
TikTok susanstrikersyoungatart
Facebook Young at Art / Anti-Coloring Book

Contact Info:
Name: Susan Striker
Email: Send Email
Organization: Young at Art Author
Website: https://www.susanstriker.com/

Release ID: 89160905

If there are any deficiencies, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the information presented in this press release, we kindly request that you promptly inform us by contacting error@releasecontact.com (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our dedicated team is committed to addressing any identified issues within 8 hours to guarantee the delivery of accurate and reliable content to our esteemed readers.