Sarnia publisher launches colouring book series to teach kids practical life skills

A new local book series is turning everyday topics like home safety into conversation starters between kids and the adults in their lives.

CS Factor Book Publishing Inc., a Sarnia-based educational publisher, has launched Common Sense Factor Kids, a series of colouring and activity books aimed at helping children build practical life skills through hands-on learning.

The series is designed for use at home, in classrooms, and throughout the community. It introduces topics meant to encourage curiosity, observation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal responsibility through age-appropriate activities.

The first title, Common Sense Factor Kids: Home Awareness Colouring & Activity Book, is available through Amazon and is intended for children ages five to 10. Additional titles in development include fire safety, skilled trades awareness, financial literacy, community awareness, healthy living, nature awareness, and senior safety.

The company was founded by Peter Last, who draws on more than 40 years of experience in the skilled trades, homeowner education, maintenance, and as a school bus driver. Last said conversations with children on the bus, along with homeowners, coworkers, and community members, often became the foundation for learning and confidence, which inspired the Common Sense Factor educational framework.

"Children are naturally curious. Every question they ask creates an opportunity for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and educators to share their knowledge and experience," Last said. "Those everyday conversations build confidence, strengthen relationships, and help practical life skills pass naturally from one generation to the next."

Each book is built around four goals: educating readers through practical learning, encouraging meaningful conversations, supporting stronger communities through educational partnerships and fundraising, and introducing basic business and entrepreneurial concepts to young people.

Beyond the book series, CS Factor Book Publishing works with schools, nonprofits, businesses, municipalities, and community organizations to develop educational resources. One example is Education Forward by Common Sense Factor, a community education initiative that helps homeowners better understand their homes while encouraging conversations with trusted professionals. As part of its Sarnia-Lambton pilot, the initiative partners with the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton and Bluewater Home Hardware Building Centre.

"Our mission is to use education as a catalyst for lifelong learning, meaningful conversations, and stronger communities through meaningful engagement," Last said.

More information on the book series and the company's community partnerships is available at CSFactorKids.com.