Maryland Judiciary Press Release

New Coloring Book Helps Children with “Learning the Law”
“Chester the Crab” books will make their debut at National Adoption Day celebration Saturday

(ANNAPOLIS, MD — November 18, 2005) As part of its continuing educational outreach program, the Maryland Judiciary has developed a pair of coloring books for children designed to introduce them to the legal system and the Judicial Branch of government.

The books, titled “Learning the Law” and “Learning More About the Law” are designed for children in third grade or younger. They include a variety of activities such as coloring, fill-in-the-blank tests, and matching terms with pictures that offer a fun way to teach children the basics of the legal system. A project of the Judiciary’s Committee on Public Awareness, the books are the latest method used by the Judiciary to reach out to the community through educational programs such as the Speakers Bureau, Mock Trial and Schools in the Courts.

“The whole purpose of the coloring books is to provide a vehicle by which young children can be educated about the courts and the Judiciary in a fun and informative context,” said Judge Jean Szekeres Baron, chair of the Committee on Public Awareness. “We even adopted a mascot, Chester the Crab, who is featured as a sort of judicial guide – the children will find him absolutely endearing.”

Justin Lloyd, an Owings Mills resident and graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, donated his time and talent to design Chester the Crab and assist with the design of the coloring books.

Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge John O. Hennegan will distribute the books for the first time Saturday, November 19, 2005, to children being adopted during the court’s National Adoption Day celebration. Nine families will adopt children as part of the event, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Ceremonial Courtroom No. 5 at the Old Courthouse, 400 Washington Avenue in Towson.

The coloring books are available online at www.courts.state.md.us/publications/coloringbooks/.

For more information about the Chester the Crab coloring books or National Adoption Day, call the Court Information Office at 410-260-1488.

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Court Information Office Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building 361 Rowe Boulevard Annapolis, Maryland 410-260-1488
For Immediate Release	CONTACT:	Rita Buettner 410-260-1488 Sally Rankin 410-260-1488
New Coloring Book Helps Children with “Learning the Law” “Chester the Crab” books will make their debut at National Adoption Day celebration Saturday (ANNAPOLIS, MD — November 18, 2005) As part of its continuing educational outreach program, the Maryland Judiciary has developed a pair of coloring books for children designed to introduce them to the legal system and the Judicial Branch of government. The books, titled “Learning the Law” and “Learning More About the Law” are designed for children in third grade or younger. They include a variety of activities such as coloring, fill-in-the-blank tests, and matching terms with pictures that offer a fun way to teach children the basics of the legal system. A project of the Judiciary’s Committee on Public Awareness, the books are the latest method used by the Judiciary to reach out to the community through educational programs such as the Speakers Bureau, Mock Trial and Schools in the Courts. “The whole purpose of the coloring books is to provide a vehicle by which young children can be educated about the courts and the Judiciary in a fun and informative context,” said Judge Jean Szekeres Baron, chair of the Committee on Public Awareness. “We even adopted a mascot, Chester the Crab, who is featured as a sort of judicial guide – the children will find him absolutely endearing.” Justin Lloyd, an Owings Mills resident and graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, donated his time and talent to design Chester the Crab and assist with the design of the coloring books. Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge John O. Hennegan will distribute the books for the first time Saturday, November 19, 2005, to children being adopted during the court’s National Adoption Day celebration. Nine families will adopt children as part of the event, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Ceremonial Courtroom No. 5 at the Old Courthouse, 400 Washington Avenue in Towson. The coloring books are available online at www.courts.state.md.us/publications/coloringbooks/. For more information about the Chester the Crab coloring books or National Adoption Day, call the Court Information Office at 410-260-1488. # # # # #