Coloring book Review: Restore My Soul

Grab your colored pencils and get ready to refresh your spirit with this coloring book devotional journey! For lovers of the Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest coloring books, Restore My Soul is a beautiful, interactive devotional designed to celebrate our unique creativity and connect us with the ultimate Creator. Find refreshment in short reflections on Scripture and be inspired as you color accompanying intricate illustrations created for meditation and prayer. Both contemplative and imaginative, Restore My Soul is the perfect space for the artist in us all.

Amazon


My Review:

This book has beautiful pictures that are good enough to hang, and handles gel pens and markers beautifully without making crayons or coloring pencils too hard to use. I love the Devotions that go with it, but I do wish the devotionals were on the back of the picture you're coloring to make sharing pages easier.

Real talk, I was going through a tough time recently and this book helped me through it. My only complaint is that the teeny tiny lines were almost too much for my patience. If I had finer markers I may not have given up on using my pens.

Recommended? Definitely. Buy for yourself or the best friend in your life who likes to color. Maybe not younger kids, though, because of the fine lines.

4.5/5

book review: the play along bible

Looking for a way to integrate the Bible into your child's playtime?"The Play-Along Bible" inspires children's imaginations while growing their understanding of and love for God's Word. Through simple hand motions, facial expressions, verbal exclamations, and funny noises, kids can participate and respond to God's amazing story. Whether it's acting out the dawn of creation by making a funny fish face or belting out a giant roar while pretending to be a ferocious beast in Daniel's lions' den, kids will encounter hundreds of fun ways to actively engage with the Bible. Using this fresh and easy, multisensory approach, you'll be surprised how well your child will recall and absorb the Scriptures. Adding to the experience are delightful full-color illustrations from British artist Susie Poole. 



My Review:

This is probably one of the best books I've gotten to share with my daughter. Yes, it would be great if the pages weren't paper and made of something more durable, but since this book is designed to be shared with your child instead of being used for individual reading time, I'm giving this book a pass for durability because of the lovely cover.
Now pictures. River was really engaged in the images and pointed out various animals and fruits she knew. The colors caught her eye before I even started reading.
The actual reading experience was more enjoyable than usual. I offered her the play-along prompts even if I thought she wasn't developed enough for them yet, and she definitely surprised me.
A tip for the book of genesis, though, have two different fruits ready. The book asked to point to the air when explaining the forbidden tree and River was somewhat confused until I used her dinner to demonstrate (eat the orange, NOT the orange peel.)
We read a couple of chapters a night, and I'm happy to report that no matter what, river is disappointed when reading time is over these days.
I got this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

journal review: Life changing magic

“Does it spark joy?”

These four little words have the power to create a revolutionary shift in your mindset. By asking yourself which things, activities, and relationships spark joy—and which don’t—you can mindfully zero in on your ideal life. Peppered with quotes and inspiration from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, this journal is an invitation to apply Marie Kondo’s principles to not only the objects in your home but also the moments in your life, one day at a time.





My Review:

This journal was not at all what I expected. I was expecting prompts or ideas. 
maybe space to draw things that spark joy. Even a weekly quote or picture. While there was the occasional quote, this journal was really a glorified notebook. 
Don't get me wrong, go and get the accompanying self help book written by the author. But if you want a place to record things that spark joy, go to the dollar store and invest in a fifty cent composition notebook or agenda.
I got this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Journal Review: Design the life you love

A joyful, inspirational guide to building the life you've always dreamed of, using the principles and creative process of an award-winning product designer.
     Life, just like a design problem, is full of constraints--time, money, age, location, and circumstances. You cannot have everything, and if you want more out of it, you have to be creative about how to make what you need and what you want co-exist. This requires design thinking. Design the Life You Love uses a simple but proven creative thinking and design process to give ordinary people new tools to think about life differently, and also includes fascinating examples from the world of art and design that relate to each step of the process, plus guided creative exercises. Turn constraints into opportunities with optimism and holistic thinking using four simple steps: taking the whole apart, forming a new point of view, putting it back together, and giving it form. The striking design and Ayse Birsel's hand-drawn art and type set off her brilliant, life-changing design process, empowering and inspiring readers to create a better life.

My Review:

I love the feel of this journal. The cover is sturdy and smooth to touch, plus the elastic bookmark is built into the back cover so it's easier to find your place than a ribbon is.

I also love how the author includes warm ups and examples of the activities, and takes time to explain how you can apply designing strategies to a life plan. On several activities where you write things down there are two templates so you can choose to revisit the activity later and redo it, or if you make a mistake or have two ideas there is plenty of space.

The art style in this book is simple and while not quite elegant, it is classy and not at all patronizing.

This is a great gift to give to journal lovers and self improvement enthusiasts, as well as to have as a copy for yourself to envision and plan your own success in life. And even though this journal is for self improvement, it never comes off as doing homework. Each step is creative, easy, and fun.

I got this book through the publisher for an honest review.

Book review: The time chamber

Korean artist Daria Song’s sequel to The Time Garden takes readers on a visual journey into a magical nighttime world seen through the eyes of a fairy.

This second book in the bestselling Time coloring series features the voyage of a fairy who, when the cuckoo clock chimes midnight, enters the human world. To the tiny fairy, everything seems enormous and magical, from the curtains to the chandelier to a mystical rowboat that takes her further into an inky adventure. With her she packs her favorite items, which colorers can find throughout the book’s pages: an owl-feathered pen, a star-scented spray, a time tape measure…even the key to the time chamber itself!

Filled with the imaginative, intricately detailed illustrations Song’s readers have come to love, The Time Chamber presents a view of our world made new—and ready for coloring.

The Time Chamber features extra-thick craft paper, ideal for non bleed-through coloring, and the jacketed cover with flaps is removable and colorable. Special gold-foil stamping on the cover and spine and a To/From page make it perfect for gifting to adults and kids alike. 

Goodreads  |  Book info  |  Read chapter one

My Review:

Comparing this book to its prequel, I would honestly grab this one for a gift to a friend. The foil stamping and actual story in the pages made a huge difference to me. The first book was good, but not quite great like this one. The paper is high quality and doesn't bleed through, and the cover can even be taken off and colored on to hang up or personalize! I love useful covers.

My suggestion: If you know someone who likes coloring (who doesn't?) Get this book for them. They'll love it.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

book review: Fold me up

Cut them out. Fold them up. Have fun. A grown-up twist on a childhood classic—exquisitely designed paper fortune-tellers.

Cootie catchers aren't just for kids anymore! These 100 paper fortune tellers provide a fresh take on a childhood favorite with answers/strategies for handling tough adult situations and answering important life dilemmas.

Each fortune teller features a unique and colorful design created specifically for this collection, including contributions from such design luminaries as Noah Scalin (creator of the Skull-a-Day project), Stefan Bucher (creator of dailymonster.com), textile designer Jessica Jones, and more. (There are even a few blank ones so readers can get out what's on their minds.)

My review:

This book is adorable and a waste of time in the best possible way. I found myself cutting out pages and folding them while drinking wine to find out my husband's Chinese zodiac fortune or to see if I really needed that third glass of wine.

My favorite by far was important messages from puppies, and my least favorite was 'do you have bedbugs' (seriously, you just know.)

This book also makes an awesome gift. Definitely get it for the fun, semi crafty friend who likes doing things occasionally but isn't a full blown Pinterest freak. Also get it for the pinterest freaks in your life. And anyone born in the 90s, really, because that was what made me love it.

I got this book from a book outlet haul.

Textbook review: Perspectives of Power

Perspectives of Power explores the nature of power in art, literature, historical documents, and poetry. In this unit, developed by Vanderbilt University's Programs for Talented Youth, students will explore the power of oppression; the power of the past, present, and future; and the power of personal response by engaging in simulations, skits, art projects, literary analyses, Socratic seminars, debates, and creative writing. Texts illuminate content extensions related to the bystander effect, social class structure, game theory, the use and abuse of technology, cultural conflict, the butterfly effect, women's suffrage, and surrealism--all pertaining to power. The unit features texts from Emily Dickinson, William B. Yeats, and Charles Perrault; art from Moyo Okediji and Salvador Dali; and speeches by Elie Wiesel, Susan B. Anthony, and John F. Kennedy. As a result from the learning in the unit, students will be able to examine powerful influences in their own lives and take on power in personal responsibility.



My Review:

This is my first textbook review ever, so be kind. I was thinking at first of reviewing this as a learner, but I'm hardly in the age range for this book.

What I do love about it as a parent and possible homeschooler (let's be honest, my husband will be the main teacher) I love how Easy it is to understand, and that all the readings are included so there's no need to buy extra material.

Even without teaching experience, the book has easy to follow rubrics and tear out pages that are easy to use and copy if you have more than one kid.

Overall, if you're thinking of educating your child yourself or even just supplementing the education of your advanced public school student, this is a great textbook to invest in.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Life is___ 40 day devotional

What is life? What are we here for? What will bring us true satisfaction and lasting happiness? In this companion to his highly-anticipated new book, Life Is ___, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Judah Smith takes readers on a forty-day devotional journey through Scripture to find the answers to these and others of our deepest questions. In forty daily readings, Judah helps readers understand that the meaning of life is found in loving and being loved, in enjoying God to the fullest, in trusting Him in every moment, and remaining at peace with God, others, and ourselves. This thought-provoking and inspiring collection of meditations is sure to reveal new and illuminating truths about what God intends for every person's life.

Goodreads

My Review:

This book presented itself as a valuable asset from the very first chapter. It spoke some truths that, as a Christian, I knew to be true. But as a human, I had been denying them. Further than that, using the bounty of God's love as an example, this book hit home by telling me why I had been denying such things. I can read books written by respected theologians all day and agree that yes, God loves his creations. But it took me reading this devotional to admit that hey, even if I'm a sinner, even if I converted to Christianity late in the game, even if I am pulled by temptations and forget to pray sometimes and am selfish--despite all of that and more, God loves me too.

This is all from the first chapter. This book promises to be transformative and honest, and a valuable tool to bring you closer to God, if only you are 100% honest with yourself and keep an open mind.

This book makes a fantastic gift for new and old Christians alike, and I look forward to reading the author's other book, "Jesus is...".

My recommendation: buy the hard copy for yourself, and an extra copy for the beloved Christian in your life.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Q&A Creative journal

Q&A a Day for Creatives is your go-to source for inspiration, whimsy, and idea generation. Each page of this four-year journal features a compelling question designed to get you thinking drawing, and dreaming. Open the journal to today's date and fill in the appropriate space as you see fit. (Pencil doodles? Watercolor? Musical scales?) As the journal fills year after year, you'll own a showcase of your ever-growing creative output.

Goodreads

Amazon

My Review:

I got this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
I really love the cover of this book. While not quite small enough to fit in a purse, the cover of this pretty book is a flexible softcover--durable but not bulky. There's not a whole lot of space in each day, and most of the questions are better described as prompts.

That's not to say this book is in any way misleading or bad. In fact, it's the perfect gift for any artist looking to practice every day at their craft. My only complaint, really, is that it is far more designed for sketchers and painters than writers. For myself I'd probably get a more traditionally formatted journal by the same author.

Coloring book review: Every Little Thing

Enter a magical world filled with your favorite little things.
Wander through a 1980’s-inflected dreamscape of stuffed animals and boom boxes, dance along with a joyful parade of woodland creatures--each page of this coloring book invites you to explore a different kaleidoscope-like universe of pattern, shape and image. From the mind of Payton Cosell Turner—the creative force behind the celebrated wallpaper studio Flat Vernacular—comes this all-ages ode to the wondrous objects that make life beautiful. The coloring journey you take through these exquisite hand-drawn pages will inspire and delight.

My Review:

Coloring books follow the same general rule as novels: There's something for everyone, everyone has preferences, and not every book is going to be your favorite. This book is certainly cute, but not exactly what I enjoy coloring. I lean more towards mandalas and detail heavy pages like you'll find in the Time Chamber. 

I simply didn't get the same feeling as I did when I was working on other coloring books, even the $1.00 Lisa Frank workbook I got from the Dollar Store.

Definitely a great gift though, especially for animal lovers or people who actually grew up in the eighties.

I got this book through the Blogging for Books program.

Coloring Book review: Whatever is Lovely

Color your way to peace and worship.
We live in such a busy, hectic world—but what waits for you inside this cover is a way to quiet the noise, express creativity, and spend some sweet time with God. Each page features an original design from one of a dozen different artists, beautifully illustrating a contemplative quote from an inspirational writer, a beloved hymn, or Scripture. 
When we create, we echo the heart of our Creative God who designed everything and gave us the capacity to recognize beauty. 
So go ahead! You have permission to pick up your colored pencil and be reminded of truth in a fresh way. 
To help set the perfect mood for worship, contemplation, and creative expression, a link to the “Whatever Is Lovely” playlist is included. 
#WhateverIsLovely


My Review:

Lately I've been enjoying many different coloring books. I've reviewed books about fairies, animals, the inside of a clock...but this is the first coloring book I've come across with a religious message. Many religious messages, in fact. This makes the pages of these books not only entertaining and meditative, but you can take out your favorite pages afterward and hang them up for a dose of inspiration around the house.

I ended up giving this book away for Christmas, and my coworker told me her daughter absolutely loved coloring in it. So unless you have a friend who is totally unreligious/insulted by religion (and yes, there are some out there.) This book is a great present for any age. I didn't get a chance to listen to the playlist included, but that's on me for going too fast to listen to meditation music. Is it too late to set a new year's resolution?

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.