#adultcoloring The Time Garden: A Magical Journey and Coloring Book
This is a first for me. I’ve done a lot of book reviews for authors and publishers over the years, but this is my first coloring book. But, it’s not just any old coloring book; this is a book specifically for adults. I’m sure you’ve all seen the adult coloring craze in full force these last few months; but adult coloring has been around for ages. I’m actually thrilled to see art in mainstream media. As someone who grew up with an art-loving parent, I grew up appreciating the creative soul inside all of us.
I’m also irritated with myself. I have a pile of art that I could easily digitize and turn into a coloring book. Why didn’t I think of that sooner? Going full-on nerd mode here, have I ever told you I was in art club through high school? President my senior year. It makes me giggle. And I wasn’t even the best artist in the class!
Coloring is a big part of my life; not just drawing. Honestly, it’s my lifesaver. When I started my mental health therapy many moons ago, one of the things my psychiatrists and therapists always encouraged was sticking with my art. They made it a point to tell me that even if I was not inspired to draw, I should buy a coloring book and crayons and color my little heart out. Then, I would sort of laugh about it.
Now, that studies are showing this adult coloring craze is actually a good thing, I smile. Guess my Drs knew what they were talking about all along.
I’ve been creating Mandala’s. I find the process of creation therapeutic. I love coloring them with bold bright colors. Pointalism is my art of choice, so when looking for a coloring book, I look for drawings which have open spaces perfect for me to cover with a million little dots.
This book is not one of them.
The Time Garden is a beautiful piece of work. What I loved is not only is it a coloring book, it’s actually a story book. I could see someone coloring and personalizing the story book and giving it to a young child as a gift.
The front of the book has a To/From space while the back of the book has an index of all the coloring scenes within the book.
The story is cute; a sleeping girl and her dream. The drawings are sweet and beautiful. I can appreciate each piece.
Personally though, these pieces of work don’t really appeal to me to color. I did make a copy of one of the pages to color for the purpose of this blog.
It’s all about personal preference, so please don’t take that as I didn’t like the book itself; because I did.
From Amazon:
A dazzlingly beautiful coloring book for all ages, The Time Garden will sweep you away into a whimsical cuckoo clock–inspired world, created in intricate pen and ink by the internationally best-selling Korean artist Daria Song.
Journey through the doors of a mysterious cuckoo clock into its inky innerworkings to discover a magical land of clock gears, rooftops, starry skies, and giant flying owls—all ready for you to customize with whatever colors you can dream up.
Cuckoo . . . cuckoo . . . cuckoo . . . When the clock strikes midnight, you’ll wonder, was it all a dream?
The Time Garden 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.
You can currently preorder The Time Garden on Amazon for $8.79
Disclosure: I received the ARC for free in exchange for my honest review from the publisher. I was no compensated for my post. I was not required to write a positive review. All photos and opinions are 100% mine. Links are Amazon links; if you follow and make a purchase, I’ll make a few cents.
Have you been bitten by the adult coloring bug? What are you coloring?
I love the idea of an adult coloring book. I have been coloring since I was little and I still like to do it. I think it is very relaxing and soothing. Nothing better than the smell of a fresh box of crayons!
I love to draw and color. It’s fun and also relaxing. I just heard of these coloring pages a few days ago I am going to pick some of these up and have some fun.
Coloring is so relaxing to me. I’m glad there are finally coloring books made for adults!
I love coloring even if it’s just in my kiddo’s coloring books! Not only is it relaxing, it’s a creative way to have some down time with the kids. Plus, the finished artwork is always fun to hang on the fridge! lol
I love coloring! nothing better and more relaxing than a new box of crayons and a coloring book!
This sounds like a nice relaxing way to pass the time. It’s really cool that this one forms a story too.
This is nice, reminds me of the books I found today. I went to the school today and the new librarian are getting rid of old books and they are free so I ook for some art books and found four of them. I hit the jackpot.
I’ve loved coloring since I was a little girl. I can’t wait to get my hands on this coloring book for adults. Coloring is so calming.
i love coloring book. my kids and i practice coloring/painting almost every weekend. we love arts and we love colors
I read an article a couple of weeks ago about how adult coloring is becoming a popular way to relax 🙂 What a gorgeous looking coloring book – I could definitely get back into coloring!
I love coloring books. I just printed a few pages the other day. It’s a great way to destress.
Adult coloring books are a great way to de-stress. It also stimulates the right side of our brain, the one responsible for creativity and art appreciation. Time to give my left brain a rest for a few minutes!
This is one thing I am so going to be getting into for sure for relaxation. My son has even heard about the coloring books for adults but he is 24 also. Anyway I am going to have to check this out for sure. Thanks so much for sharing.
Looks lovely and like something to do to relieve stress and really relax. I wish I could find the time I’d love to sit and see how it is for me.
That is such a brilliant idea. I’ve always loved coloring since I was a kid. There’s just something relaxing about coloring.
I love the idea of an adult colouring book! I always colour with my kids (I seem to enjoy it more than them!) and I find that it’s really relaxing!!
When I first heard of adult coloring books – I thought it was just plain silly. But so many of my therapist friends swear that the coloring (even as an adult) is extremely therapeutic.
I love to color. I was thrilled when i saw coloring books for adults at the book store. I will have to order this on Amazon.
I love to paint. I cannot honestly say that the desire to color has been one that has overtaken me….unless you count picking up a brush.
My daughters are both artists, so they would really like an adult coloring book. What a great idea!
I have been hearing a lot about these adult coloring books lately, and I really want a couple of them! I’ve always found coloring and drawing to be therapeutic.
This adult coloring thing comes and goes in waves apparently they are singing like LL Cool J “Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years” LOL
At Toy Fair in New York City this year I saw quite a few as well. (I actually thing this brand pitched me as well but since I wasn’t taking a vacation this summer I opted not to, because the only other way I would have time to ‘color’ would be on the toilet and I’m sure they weren’t trying to hear all that!) 🙂
These are so amazing! I also had that – why didn’t I think of that moment! I have several of these and use them at work to refocus!
I’ve been reading more and more about adult coloring books. I love it because everyone needs a little bit of colorful relaxation in their lives.
I love coloring and adult coloring books are no exception! I need to add this to my wish list asap!
I love the coloring books for adutls. I have quite a few that I like to take out and color when I’m feeling a bit stressed.
I hear about adult coloring books all over the place but to tell the truth I am happy just coloring with the kids in their coloring books. 🙂 Although adult coloring books are fun to color I don’t find having a grown up coloring book necessary to my ability to enjoy coloring but this one does look cute and I love books with themes. It is pretty col you were in the art club. I was in one in college and loved it.
I color with kiddo all the time and her father and I have our own coloring books. But, these adult versions, they are just prettier to me. A bit more artistic.
I love this. I actually just bought an adult coloring book on Amazon this week! I’m so excited that it’s becoming a cool thing so I’m not the only crazy adult who gets excited about colored pencils and coloring within the lines. lol
Coloring was one of my favorite things as a kiddo! I would win every coloring contest I would enter! Loving the idea of adult covering!
*coloring* Ughhh spell check -_-