Do you like the “adult” coloring books?

I like them. Our entire family likes, them, actually. I have a few Christmas books, and a Celtic coloring book (because how can you not?), and I think a coloring book of flowers. What we don’t have, are any Catholic coloring books.  One of my friends brings her coloring books to our sons’ sports games. She’s a yeller, this friend of mine, and since she’s started coloring, the sidelines have been markedly quieter.

I have another friend who likes to color and uses her books as a sort of meditation. In fact, I distinctly recall scouring Amazon one day with her (over the phone) looking for more religious books. Something Christian but not too cheesy.  Something meditative, but not too new agey. We were lamenting that it would be nice to have Catholic coloring books.

I’m happy to say that is not a problem anymore!

First up, Windows into Christ: A Coloring Book for Prayer and Meditation.

I started coloring this one with my trusty Prismacolors. I discovered that, while excellent for drawing, Prismacolors aren’t the best tools for coloring books. They dull rather quickly and it’s hard to color into all the little corners!  Still, look at the coloring book. It’s a gorgeous peek into Chartres, don’t you think?

 

 

 

If Chartres is not your thing, how about a coloring book starring Mary?

I have to confess, I wasn’t a fan of this one at first. In fact, I only pulled out my gel pens and colored a page for the sake of this review. But do you know what I discovered?

It’s a rather lovely coloring book. There are prayers to Mary throughout, making it easier to pray while you meditatively color. And there are a few pages where Mary’s mantle is drawn and you are invited to write your prayer requests along it’s folds.  Coloring books in this house tend to be passed around and shared, so I didn’t feel comfortable writing any prayer requests out. Rather, I found myself praying for a different person as I colored each of these stars.

It’s a great coloring book.

Both books are nice. The paper has some heft to it and hold the color well. I know some coloring books have blank pages on the backsides of the coloring pages and neither of these do. So if you’re planning on tearing out coloring pages, you’ll be affecting the images on the backside of the paper, too. This may not bother you. But, if you are like my friend who colors the pages and then cuts and pastes them into her journal, you’ll probably want to know that these page are double sided.

I’m not sure where you live, but here in Ohio, fall is knocking on our door. Soon the wind will be blowing and the rains falling and the shift towards living more of our lives indoors. It really is the perfect time to pick up a coloring book, some good quality pens, and to get to work on the peaceful business of coloring.  And when you do, I hope you consider picking up a Catholic coloring book. Both Windows into Christ or Our Lady’s Garden are really quite nice; you won’t regret buying both. After all, after fall comes winter. And you’ll need something to while away those hours, too.

Pauline Books and Media sent me copies of these Catholic coloring books in hopes of a (favorable) review. But, of course, complimentary copies of books don’t necessarily make good books. My review and opinions are my own.