AUGUSTA (AP) – Finally, a coloring book for children and grandchildren of leftist activists.

With 1960s radicals becoming grandparents, Roger Leisner sees a market in the gray ponytail set for his only slightly tongue-in-cheek Noam Chomsky coloring book, which he sells for $5 each. If it’s a success, Leisner plans more coloring books, and he may branch out into comic books as well.

“It’ll be interesting to see who I get orders from,” said Leisner, whose activism took root in 1965 when he received a draft notice while in college in Illinois.

Leisner has been videotaping and recording dissenters and commentators at the political fringe for more two decades for Radio Free Maine, which he founded. The tapes of Chomsky, Howard Zinn, nuclear critic Helen Caldicott and others are also made available over the Internet to radio and TV stations.

As Americans fret while their 401(k) plans fall deeper in the tank, Leisner is beginning to see enough royalties from his tapes appear to help secure his own retirement.

Now that his Radio Free Maine is blossoming into a retirement nest egg, Leisner is expanding with his coloring book business.

The 18 pages show outlines of photos featuring Chomsky, the world renowned linguist, author and political philosopher, along with other outspoken scholars and activists. Now 80, Chomsky has been teaching since 1955 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Next on the list will be a coloring book featuring Zinn, a decorated World War II veteran whose views turned radical as he observed the civil rights struggle and Vietnam War while a college professor.

Later, Leisner said he may do a Noam Chomsky comic book, featuring quotes from various talks over the years.

“No, I will not put him in a cape or any other get-up,” said Leisner. “A blue workshirt and Levis is good enough for me.”

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