A Christmas Carol Coloring Book
Illustrated by: Marty Noble
Rating: 5 of 5
This is more of a storybook with coloring images than it is a coloring storybook. The words of the story take up much of the book with the designs being relegated to a smaller percentage. There are a few full page designs but most are partial.
I find it a good book to complete to read to my grandchildren and have to pass on to them. While not a fun story, it is a good cautionary tale.
All of the components that I would look for from the story are present with Marley and the various ghosts arriving to take Scrooge on a trip of self-exploration.
The designs have a nice level of detail without intricate and difficult areas to color. I will be doing this book in colored pencils as I don’t want bleed through of any sort to mar the words of the storybook.
This is what I found in this storybook/coloring book
22 partial to full page designs based on the classic tale “A Christmas Carol”
Both story and designs are printed on both sides of the page
Paper is medium weight, slightly rough, white and non-perforated
Staple bound with three heavy duty staples
Designs stop well before the binding area with framing at the outer edges. Pages can be removed in whole from the book by removing the three staples at the binding. I won’ be doing this as I want the book as-is to pass on once I have finished
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper
Water-based markers spot through and/or leave colorful shadows on the back of the page
Gel pens and India ink pens leave colorful shadows on the back of the page. India ink pens can bleed through in spots if you apply heavily or use multiple coats.
Colored pencils worked well with this paper. Both oil and wax-based pencils provided good pigment, layered well with the same or multiple colors and blended well using a blending stick. Hard lead pencils did not dent through the page.
If you choose to use any medium other than colored pencils on the pages of this book, you will probably find bleed through or colorful shadows on the design at the back of your working page.
Here are some sample photos from the book:
This is more of a storybook with coloring images than it is a coloring storybook. The words of the story take up much of the book with the designs being relegated to a smaller percentage. There are a few full page designs but most are partial. 
