Take a break and color! #AdultColoringBooks

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The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

I am not sure if you have heard about the newest thing...

Adult coloring books!  They are everywhere and they are set to fit the budget for everyone.  You can buy a nice fancy one and drop a few bucks on it, or you can get one just as cool for a lot less and have a blast.  I was sent a couple for review and I have really enjoyed it.  Let's be honest, I will bust out the crayons and color in my sons Star Wars and Paw Patrol coloring books without thinking twice... but it sure is nice to have an adult one to relax and unwind coloring a little here and there.  No, they are not as easy to finish as a big picture of Yoda, but they have been found to help release stress and help us just escape and unwind for a bit.  

I was sent a couple really nice adult coloring books from Skyhorse Publishing and I have really enjoyed coloring in them.  The great thing?  Broxton (my 6 year old) asked to color one.  I did not think he would have the patience to work on coloring one since they are so detailed.  He has not finished it yet, but he really sat there and worked on it for quite some time. Each page takes me a while to work on as well, so no judgement on his time from me!  While I am enjoying them, I do have 2 things I wish they would change:
1 - Maybe make the book binding spiral or have the perforated pages. 
2 - Don't have the images bleed into the binding, I was having a hard time on some of them finishing coloring it in, because my color pencil would not fit in the binding, but the images was not colored all the way.  That was annoying to me.  

before

after 

I also wish they would possibly come out with another line of the books on thicker paper for those that would like to try coloring with markers. All in all, I enjoyed them and see this as a great gift. With Valentines coming up, you could make a pampering gift basket and include a couple of these books with some new coloring pencils for "me time."  

Below are affiliate links to Amazon if you are interested in purchasing the ones I reviewed:

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Here is the press release about the coloring books:

Since 2013, coloring books targeted to adults have topped bestselling charts, selling more than 1.5 million copies in over twenty-two languages. Five of the top thirty titles on Amazon’s bestseller list are coloring books aimed at adults. Skyhorse Publishing’s first four adult coloring books featuring the paisley and mandala motifs have already sold out four printings, selling at bookstores like Barnes & Noble, on Amazon, and at specialty stores like Michael’s Arts & Crafts and A. C. Moore.

               

Not unlike the adult summer camps and wine-and-painting parties that have surged in popularity over the last couple of years, coloring is a nostalgic activity that allows people to unplug and fend off the stresses of daily life. With our screen-weary culture, it’s no surprise that adult coloring events have begun to pop up across the US attracting “colorists” to unplug and unwind in social settings.

               

The recent surge in adult coloring is not just attributed to nostalgia but also its therapeutic effects. Coloring encourages creativity without the intimidation of staring at a blank page. In fact, research suggests that coloring within a premade design might help fight anxiety.  Clinical psychologist Kimberly Wulfert of EverydayHealth.com explains that “In coloring, you’re being mindful, and when you move in a rhythmic fashion for an extended period of time, that becomes a meditation.”

This new Portable Coloring for Creative Adults series from Skyhorse is conveniently sized for with a 6.5 x 8.5 trim in hardcover, which is completely new and different and perfect for coloring on the go, whether on a plane, on the metro, on a park bench, or sitting in front of the TV. Featuring seventy-five detailed patterns ranging from meditative and wildlife-inspired designs to marine- and avian-inspired designs, these books are perfect for the beginner and expert color-er, and anyone in between. An introduction details how to get the most of your coloring book and the special foil cover treatment makes this an especially handsome gift!