Focus on Coloring Books: Saints, Dragons, Buddhist Goddesses and Boss Babes
If wildly creative designs and an endless number of alluring topics hold any appeal to the coloring public, we can comfortably assume most of those millions of adult colorers in this country won’t be giving up their crayons and pencils anytime soon. As time goes on, one wonders, how soon before the word fad fades from the coloring conversation?
America’s Favorite Birds
40 Beautiful Birds to Color
Myoko Chu
Brenda Lyons, illustrator
Cornell Lab Publishing Group
Softcover $15.95 (88pp)
978-1-943645-41-1
Buy: Amazon
With so many individual feathers, and intricate background depictions of where each bird feeds and nests, you’ll need your full collection of colored pencils to bring these familiar American birds to life. A handy pull-out section offers lifelike color images for reference.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
At Play in God’s Creation
An Illuminating Coloring Book
Tara M. Owens
Daniel Sorensen
Franciscan Media
Softcover $16.99 (96pp)
978-1-63253-098-1
Buy: Amazon
Full of religious themes, natural scenes, and gently winding paths, this book is soothing. For even more stress release, use earthy-colored pencils.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Boss Babes
A Coloring and Activity Book for Grown-Ups
Michelle Volansky
Workman Publishing Company
Softcover $10.95 (96pp)
978-0-7611-9355-5
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
Some of the most inspirational women of all time get profiled in Boss Babes. Every babe is amazing for a different reason, the likenesses are uncanny, and the adult-level games will teach you even more about these female game changers.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes
Christmas
Nosy Crow, illustrator
Rebecca Jones, illustrator
Candlewick Press
Softcover $10.99 (74pp)
978-0-7636-9242-1
Buy: Amazon
This adorable book is full of whimsical animals, all bedecked in festive holiday outfits. Another delight is to discover that the pages turn into holiday cards and envelopes, along with stickers for sealing them.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Spiritual Traditions of India
Coloring Book
Harish Johari
Destiny Books
Softcover $12.95 (96pp)
978-1-62055-629-0
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
Hindu imagery of gods, goddesses, chakras, and planets, and other drawings of classic Indian scenery—all paired with meditative excerpts from the author’s books—will both focus the mind and lead to a relaxing coloring experience.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Monsters and Heroes of the Realms
A Dungeons & Dragons Coloring Book
Templar Books
Candlewick Press
Unknown
978-0-7636-9424-1
Buy: Amazon
Intensely intricate detail on all manner of magical creatures and peoples. If you’re serious about your role-playing games, you’ll be just as serious about bringing these characters to life on the page.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
The Saints
An Adult Coloring Book
Daniel Mitsui
Ave Maria Press
Softcover $9.95 (64pp)
978-1-59471-724-6
Buy: Amazon
No holding back, these pages tell and depict authentic lives of the saints. While the backgrounds are intricate, the figures are simple. Especially enjoyable for scenery lovers.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
The New Hexagon Coloring Book
Katja Marek
That Patchwork Place
Softcover $10.99 (64pp)
978-1-60468-861-0
Buy: Amazon
Ideal for the coloring beginner, these similar patterns are none too complicated. The orderliness and repetition offers a great cooldown after a long day.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
L’Dor Vador: A Keepsake Coloring Book
Judy Freeman
Kar-Ben Publishing
Softcover $12.99 (72pp)
978-1-5124-1845-3
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
Abstract and wild, it’s occasionally difficult to tell what you’re coloring until, voila, a funky image appears. In designs related to Jewish spirituality, the thick brushstrokes make for beautiful designs.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Inkspirations Create While You Wait
Coloring on the Go
Judy Clement Wall
Health Communications
Softcover $7.95 (120pp)
978-0-7573-1964-8
Buy: Amazon
Designs within designs, these pictures of animals, flowers, mandalas, and the like are multilayered and elaborate. The book’s compact design makes this the perfect drag-along on subway trips and to dentists’ waiting rooms. The result is pure fun.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
The Tarot Coloring Book
Theresa Reed
Sounds True
Softcover $16.95 (192pp)
978-1-62203-790-2
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
You can’t tell fortunes or peek at your future while coloring these pages, but you can follow the “journey” of each card and perhaps stumble upon some hidden wisdom. A great tool for learning the seventy-eight different cards of a tarot deck while getting into a peaceful mind-set.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
The Power of Positive Coloring
Creating Digital Downtime for Self-Discovery
Andrea Reyna Koehler
Made For Success Publishing
Softcover $9.99 (110pp)
978-1-61339-822-7
Buy: Amazon
As the name implies, every picture offers a great self-affirmation session as well as an escape from the digital world. The accompanying question-and-answer page encourages journaling to complete the experience.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Drawing Your Own Path
33 Practices at the Crossroads of Art and Meditation
John F. Simon Jr.
Parallax Press
Softcover $24.95 (192pp)
978-1-941529-36-2
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
Not a coloring book per the norm, this mindful project nurtures creativity through meditation and drawing. The instructions move you through concentration and awareness exercises without the constraints of lines to stay within.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Coloring for Meditation
With Tibetan Buddhist Art
Tashi Dhargyal
Wisdom Publications
Softcover $12.95 (104pp)
978-1-61429-362-0
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
Artwork is a meditative practice; Tibetan Buddhists have known that for ages. Moreover, Tibetan enlightenment imagery is highly symbolic for those on the path. Each of these fifty illustrations comes with a brief, contemplative description.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Industrial Strength Coloring Book
Gear Up to Break the Coloring Mold!
Robert Pizzo
Quill Driver Books
Softcover $12.95 (108pp)
978-1-61035-288-8
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
Reminiscent of childhood activity books, the blocky, full-page, mandala-like patterns will appeal to colorers who appreciate mechanics, engineering, gear parts, saw blades, and such.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
My Little Promise Bible Colouring Book
Juliet David
Lucy Barnard, illustrator
Candle Books
Softcover $6.99 (48pp)
978-1-78128-312-7
Buy: Amazon
Relive your Sunday-school days with these simple depictions of classic Bible stories. The heart of each teaching stays true and allows for quiet reflection.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Color Pasadena
Ali Zigerelli
Prospect Park Books
Softcover $16.95 (80pp)
978-1-938849-87-9
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
Fun and quirky, this book will make you think that Pasadena is your must-see next vacation spot. And who wouldn’t want to visit a place with such a unique history and iconic landmarks like the Rose Bowl. Yes, coloring on a Southern California beach is permitted by local law.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
All Things New
365 Day Devotional
Cherie Hill
Tyndale Momentum
Softcover $16.99 (400pp)
978-1-4964-1999-6
Buy: Amazon
These pages affirm God’s love, a theme that pairs nicely with the stress relief offered by coloring. Uplifting and heartfelt, the images accompany Bible verses.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
The Pride and Prejudice Coloring Book
Molly Maguire
Kate Silverman
Aaron Blake Publishers
Softcover $13.95 (36pp)
978-0-937609-80-4
Buy: Local Bookstore (Bookshop), Amazon
From the book to the big screen and back to the book, Pride and Prejudice fans can now take colored pencils to their favorite love–and sometimes hate–scenes between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. The best and most memorable scenes are here, so be ready to swoon.
HANNAH HOHMAN (October 28, 2016)
Hannah Hohman
