Staff Writer

“I’ve heard people say it looks like brain matter,” said Melissa Provencher as she talked about maze drawings in her new book, “Wicked Good Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Activity Book.”

This is her second book in the “Wicked Good” kids activity series, and her eighth self-published title. Provencher thinks this is her best book yet.

“She showed me a copy of her new book,” said Diane Bird, co-owner of local bookstore, Poofberry’s. “It’s amazing. Her artwork and illustrations are amazing.”

The book incorporates well-known local spots with activities that include the Animal Welfare Society spelling puzzle and the Trolley Museum word search.

The bottom of every page features a fun fact about the area. One tidbit: an opening scene in the 1995 Robin Williams hit “Jumangi” was filmed in Kennebunk.

Some interesting facts that didn’t make the cut include the myth-busting truth of the “wedding cake” house. According to local legend, the house was built by a sea captain for his love. Instead, the house was built by a man who simply liked the gothic-style.

Every fact printed in Provencher’s books has been verified by multiple sources for authenticity, but the facts are purposefully kept light and fun for kids.

Bird said she received a call recently from a mother who home-schools her children who said she was buying all of Provencher’s books to help teach Maine history and facts to her children.

Provencher’s broad knowledge of Maine trivia can sometimes pay off: A few years ago when she was on a whale watch with no whales in sight, the crew tried to entertain passengers with a Maine trivia game.

“I won a chocolate bar,” Provencher said of her grand prize.

Besides new facts, the book offers two new types of puzzle and new square mazes, although the squiggly “brain matter” mazes are still included.

Provencher is particularly proud of her “math paths.” The paths have one number at the top followed by six different number combinations that add up to a number at the bottom of the puzzle.

“I want to keep it fun,” Provencher said. “Some children out there don’t enjoy math, so I thought presenting it in this form they might enjoy it more.”

Also new to the book is Ruby the Red Fox. While Ruby appears on this book’s cover and the previous book cover, this is the first time the fox has a name, along with Lenny the Lobster and Marty the Moose, named after a friend who died.

Provencher ran a contest for local children to pick the name of the fox character.

The contest was so successful Provencher said she will do it again for her next book.

Provencher said she thinks her next book in the series will be “Wicked Good Maine Lighthouses Activity Book” and the newly named character will be a squirrel or a seagull.

 “For Pete’s Sake,” the first book she illustrated, was written by Linda Verville about a dog she adopted from Animal Welfare Society.

After illustrating for that book, Provencher decided to put together a book of mazes and puzzles she made for her nephew.

“If I could do this all the time, it’d be my perfect job,” Provencher said before reconsidering. “I couldn’t. I’d get a bit antsy, but it’d be close.”

Provencher expected to finish the book three months ago, but said her volunteer work got in the way.

Her Kennebunk store, Brown Fox Printing, was home base for her recent Care Packages for Soldiers drive. She was able to collect enough items and money – she estimates $6,500 in total donations – for 141 care packages.

Now she will continue to collect for the Sanford VFW, but will no longer send out the packages herself.

Instead, she will focus on finishing touches to her new book, expected in stores in the next two weeks.

“Wicked Good” activity books will be sold at Poofberry’s, Kennebooks and H.B. Provisions.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.