Daily Archives: April 20, 2016

Color Me to Sleep is my second full-size coloring book in this series. I so enjoyed the Fearless book that I immediately pre-ordered this book. Of the 80 designs in the book, 23 are what I would categorize as mandalas. There are additionally some designs which utilize a circular form as well as a couple of dream-catchers. The designs in this book are detailed and intricate. Some have small areas to color which may require sharp pencils or pens/markers with ultra-fine points.

The book has six chapters, which include: Peaceful Environments, Cozy Comforts, Quiet Getaways, Relaxing Routines, Sleep Scenes, and Fantasies and Dreams. Each chapter has a lead-in which describes the intent of the designs within. For instance, Peaceful Environments designs has images of the moon, stars, beds and other areas which are conducive to sleep. In Cozy Comforts, designs include scenes and items which make you cozy, such as wool socks, candles, and stuffed animals. The book is followed by an afterward by Alanna McGinn, who is certified sleep educator. She provides tips for getting a good night’s sleep as well as what to do when troubled by insomnia.

I have had sleep issues for a number of years and have found that a combination of coloring and then following it with reading works well for me to be able to relax enough to get to sleep.

I plan to color this book in its entirety (without removing any pages) and using it as a sleepy-time book for my grandchildren to look at when they are over for naptime or overnight. I’ll let my grandson choose which page I color next and have it finished by the time he comes to visit again. The pictures are so cute, I am sure children will love it. I think it will become a family book to be handed down for a long time.

This is what I found while looking through and coloring in this book:

80 Sleep Oriented Designs by Angela Porter
Designs are printed on one side of non-perforated paper
Sewn Binding
Designs do not merge into the binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page
Water-based markers, India ink pens and gel pens leave a shadow on the back of the page
Coloring pencils worked well with this paper. My soft lead pencils were easily blended and went on fairly thick without too much pressure. My hard lead pencils did not leave indents on the back of the page.

This is a fairly thick book and while I can get to the book to lay flat enough for my purposes others may find it uncomfortable.

All of the designs have either finished elements at the sides or have a framing line around the entire design. This provides a natural stopping point, saving me time, ink, and frustration. I always appreciate it when an artist adds this to their designs.

I will include some of the colored samples in the photos I post below and will update this review with my finished projects as I go along.