I loved to color when I was a child. I would get a coloring book that was full of amateur pictures of dogs, cats, and flowers and my 96 pack of crayons and sit on the couch or at a table for hours on end. My best drawings were stick-figures so coloring was as far as my creativity went. I probably went through at least three coloring books every week and a half or so. Now that I am in college, I still color. But, I do it differently now, with more sophisticated images and coloring materials at my dispense. You may think I am crazy and that adult coloring books are laughable, but in response to that, I would say this: Don’t knock it until you try it. Try them. If you don’t like it, that’s fine.

Adult coloring books have been rising in popularity since 2011 when Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford was approached by her publisher, Laurence King Publishing, about designing a children’s coloring book. Instead of doing that, Basford proposed the idea of doing an adult coloring book. After she sent in a few proposed designs, her publishers approved the idea, and the book was finished, Basford’s "Secret Garden"was released in 2013 on March 4, 2013. Since then, Basford has released two additional best-selling adult coloring books, "Enchanted Forest" and "Lost Ocean". She is even set to release a fourth book in August titled, "Magical Creatures".Her adult coloring books are my favorite.

Adult coloring books and coloring, in general, are beneficial in several ways. Coloring in these adult coloring books helps reduce stress. The way someone takes the colored pencil or marker has been proven to be cathartic and relaxing. Adult coloring books also allow individuals to express themselves and be creative in a different way. People who use these adult coloring books are also able to have an increased focus on the tasks at hand. Coloring is also fun and allows someone to be able to look back on fond memories of their childhood. On the plus side, adult coloring books are relatively cheap. Amazon has a great selection but stores like Books-A-Million, Barnes and Nobles, and even Walmart carry them as well.

Here are some of my favorite adult coloring books. Check them out if you like!

"Secret Garden"

"Enchanted Forest"

"Lost Ocean"

"Animal Kingdom"

"Tropical Wonderland"

"Wild Savannah"

"Kaleidoscope Designs" by Peter Pauper Press

"Thirty Bible Verses You Can Color" by Zondervan

"The Art of Relaxation Adult Coloring Book" by Lark Crafts

"Balance" by Angie Grace

"Romantic Country" by Eriy

"Dream Doodles"

"Creative Cats"

"Owls" by Creative Haven

"Dazzling Dogs"

"Designer Desserts"