iiiiReader Book Reviews

Tenderful Enchantments

By: Klara Markova

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the second coloring book I have by artist Klara Markova. She has a lovely and distinctive style which is instantly recognizable. Her designs are both charming and fun to color with fairly detailed illustrations. While some of the designs have intricate areas to color, most do not.

In addition to her fun illustrations, the book is very well made, It has a great hard cover and a lay-flat style binding which means you do not have to break the spine to color. As with her first book, I received a cute bookmark which can be colored as well.
Part of Ms. Markova’s style is the prominent use of shading in many of the designs. The book is not grayscale but it has more shading than most other books I own. The designs include animals, elves/fairies, imaginative forest houses and lots of other fun surprises.
While most of the designs are printed on one side of the page (with several cute little sketches that repeat throughout the book on the reverse side of the page), there are three designs which span across two pages. The artist made sure to have the backside of each of these pages contain the little sketches, so using a bleed through medium will not ruin another design. The items which cross over the binding are minimal and, in my copy, the pages line up excellently.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
Adorable and original hand-drawn artwork. There is also an extra page of cut out elements
Printed on one side of the page with a small, repeated designs on the back of the page
Paper is heavy weight, light ivory, smooth, and non-perforated
Sewn, lay-flat binding with a hard cover
Most designs merge into the binding but are not as difficult to color due to the type of binding utilized
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page. If you use this medium, I suggest using a blotter page to keep ink from seeping through. I use card stock but a couple of pages of paper should work as well.
Water-based markers, India ink pens and gel pens do not bleed through the page. Some do leave light, colorful shadows on the back of the page.
Colored pencils worked well with this paper. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. While the paper is smooth to the touch, it still had enough tooth to get good pigment. I could layer the same color for deeper color, layer multiple colors and blend using a blending stick. I’ve found that using a liquid blending medium works very well, too.

The Wonderful World of Horses: Midnight Edition: Images now with a midnight black background

By: Simone Phillips

Rating: 5 of 5

This coloring book is the midnight version of the revised second edition of The Wonderful World of Horses by Simone Phillips. That means that the designs are printed on black backgrounds. The designs are still black line work with white space for coloring, which is how I prefer this style of book. That gives me the blank white areas that I use for shading and blending. It is simply that the backgrounds are already finished in black.

The designs have a lovely hand-drawn quality with little extras such as cross hatch shading on the horses. There is a flowing look to Ms. Phillips designs which conveys a real sense of movement. The designs are detailed but do not contains areas which are too intricate and small to color.
One of the things that I really enjoy about this book is the thumbnail images that serve as the table of contents. They are small in size but can be colored as well.
44 Horse inspired designs (not including title pages and thumbnails.)
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated. The black backgrounds are printed on white paper.
The designs do not merge into the binding. The designs have framing lines at the outer edges though some are not as evident as the background is black.
Glue Binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. When blending with so much black involved, I prefer to use a liquid blending medium, such as Gamsol or odorless mineral spirits so that the black doesn’t smear. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.
I was provided an advance copy of this book by the artist.

Mounts 4: Halloween coloring book (Volume 4)

By: Olga Goloveshkina

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the first coloring book by Olga Goloveshkina that I have in my collection though this is the fourth one in her Mounts series. The focus of this coloring book is on Halloween inspired animals that are saddled to be ridden.

While the animals are instantly recognizable, the artist has shown a creative talent by drawing them with a fun flair. The saddles are inventive as are the Halloween style elements each design has incorporated. What is really interesting to me is the shading technique that Ms. Goloveshkina uses. Rather than heavy shading or cross-hatching, she has used a form of pointillism (that is, dots) to convey the areas of shading. It’s a fun and easy to color technique.
The designs are of the animal in saddle with details attached. There are no background designs. The animals are detailed but not intricate or difficult to color.
24 Cute Animals in Saddles Halloween designs.
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding.
Glue Binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.

Kawaii Witches Autumn & Halloween Adult Coloring Book: A Halloween Coloring Book for Adults and Kids with Japanese Anime Witches, Cats, Owls, and Autumn Scenes

By: Halloween Coloring Books for Adults

Rating: 4 of 5

The little girls in the designs in this coloring book are more what I would call manga than anime (as the publisher as noted in their description inside the book.) Anime is based on animation and I don’t believe these designs are based on a specific animation series. While manga in nature, they definitely have a Kawaii vibe to them, which means that are cute! The designs include young girls and young women in scenes celebrating either (or both) Autumn and Halloween. While some of the settings are somewhat macabre (such as cemeteries and such), they are all quite cute and will be fun to color.

The designs are detailed and some have small and intricate areas to color. It appears that the designs are the work of more than one artist as there are definite differences in style. While the style is not the same, they do work together well for an overall cohesive coloring book. It’s nice to have both Autumn and Halloween in one book. I’ll have fun through the end of October coloring the Halloween inspired designs and then pick up with the Autumn ones through the end of November. I am also hoping for a Kawaii Girl Christmas/New Year book.
30 Kawaii Autumn and Halloween designs.
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do merge into the binding. If you cut pages out, you will lose portions of the designs. Unfinished elements are left at all four edges of the paper.
Glue Binding
Coloring book can be opened fairly flat by breaking or heavily creasing the spine.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.

Ivy and the Inky Butterfly: A Magical Tale to Color

By: Johanna Basford

Rating: 5 of 5

I will attach a silent, full length flip-through of the storybook/coloring book as well as a few sample photos so you can judge for yourself as to whether or not this coloring book will work for you.

Once again, Johanna Basford is blazing a new path in the coloring genre. With Ivy and the Inky Butterfly, she has published a beautiful storybook about a young girl and her adventures in Enchantia. Along with the lovely story, there are great coloring elements on all pages. Whether the design is merely framing around the words of the tale or if it is a full page (or even a two-page spread) of illustration, Ms. Basford’s signature style is immediately evident. There are beautiful flowers and animals as usual. There are also scenes with a high amount of detail. Some of my favorites are those which feature Ivy, who is a cute little girl. The illustrations are highly detailed and only a very few have smaller and intricate areas to color.
As with her most recent coloring books, there appears to have been a concentrated effort to reduce the elements which span across the binding if the page is a two-page spread designs. In my book, some pages line up fantastic and some are a little off. The only real problem I have with the book is that due to the intense glue binding, it is very difficult to get into the seam unless you, as I did, break the spine. The inherent problem with that is that you risk having pages come loose over time. It seems like the book is glued together much more heavily than previous books by Ms. Basford.
I want this book to be a keepsake I read to my grandchildren and which I plan hand down to my granddaughter once I have finished coloring it, so loose pages can be a problem. I solved that problem by, in addition, buying the UK version of the book which has a sewn binding. I’m waiting for delivery and will include comments about the differences (in the comments below) once it arrives. You can find the UK version of the coloring book here:Ivy and the Inky Butterfly
The paper is ivory as just it has been for the last couple of books. It is not the same color of cream as used in Secret Garden or Enchanted Forest. Nor is it the white color that was used in the first four printings of Lost Ocean. It seems to me that the paper has a smooth side and a slightly rough side and that it alternates in my book.
The cover is attached and has green and gold foil highlights. The inside of the front and back covers have French folds (partial fold-outs.) There is a color palette test page at the back for testing your medium to see what seeps through or not.
This is what I found as I colored in this book and tested the paper with my coloring medium.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers (except for Tombow’s) leave shadows and even spots of color on the back of the page. The brush end of Tombows did not bleed through.
Gel pens and India ink did not bleed through the page.
Colored pencils worked well; however, they worked better on the slightly rougher side of the page. On the smoother side, my oil-based pencils did not grip the page as well but were still acceptable. I tested both oil and wax-based pencils. I was able to layer the same color for deeper pigment, layer multiple colors and to blend with a pencil style blending stick (again, better on the rougher side than on the smooth side.) Pencils did not leave indentations on the back of the page.

Hello Kitty & Friends Coloring Book

By: Various

Rating: 5 of 5

Both of my daughters loved Hello Kitty when they were young and now my granddaughter is a huge fan as well. I’ve always had a soft spot for her and her friends as well. While the focus of the coloring book is on Hello Kitty, there are cute designs of Keroppi, Chococat, Pochacco, My Melody (another big favorite of my kids), Cinnamoroll, Hangyodon, Badtz-Maru, Tuxedosam and Pompompurin as well.

The designs are detailed and are meant for adult coloring though some young kids may enjoy them as well if they can deal with the high level of detail. There are a few areas which are intricate and have smaller spots to color.
I really like the designs. I think that they are adorable and show a good sense of imagination in putting the various characters in backgrounds that will be fun to color and shade. There are scenes which show everything from winter and snow to sushi. There are even a couple of Hello Kitty mandalas thrown in for extra fun.
On the back of the page is a small design element which mimics the full design on its facing page. If you use a medium which does not bleed through, it is an extra little spot to color. If you use alcohol-based markers as I do much of the time, you will, more than likely, be sacrificing those little designs.
This is what I found when I colored in this book and tested it with my coloring medium:
47 full page designs are printed on front of page with smaller designs printed on the back of the page.
Paper is heavyweight, white, slightly smooth and non-perforated
Glue bound
Designs do not merge into the binding. Designs either have a light double framing line or have finished elements at the outer edges.
Book lays fairly flat for coloring if you heavily crease/break the spine
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page. For this use, I suggest a blotter page of card stock or heavy weight paper under your working page. That will keep ink from seeping through to the next design. If you use these types of markers, you will mar the smaller designs on the back of the pages.
Water-based markers, India ink pens and gel pens do not bleed through or leave shadows on the back of the page.
Colored pencils work well with this paper. It is slightly smooth to the touch but still has enough tooth for pigment. I was able to layer the same color for deep pigment, layer multiple colors and blend easily using a blender stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils.

Foxes & Fairies coloring book by Meredith Dillman: 25 kimono, kitsune and fairy designs

By: Meredith Dillman

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a beautiful coloring book of 25 designs by Meredith Dillman. According to her introduction in the book, the designs are inspired by various Asian fox spirit myths, traditional costumes and nature. I have recently read a novel which featured information about kitsune (Japanese fox spirit) and was thrilled to find a coloring book which meshed so well with it. The artwork is based on Ms. Dillman’s finished designs and each has a name which is printed on the back of the page.

In this coloring book, there are designs of both foxes and fairies (and sometimes, just young women) in traditional kimono style fashions. The designs are detailed and have a beautiful hand-drawn and sketch-like look to them. There are some areas which have intricate and small areas to color.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
25 Lovely Asian inspired designs featuring kimono-clad foxes and fairies and young women
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. The designs have framing lines at the outer edges though some finished elements overlap the framing line to give a three dimensional look to the design.
Glue Binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.

Adult Coloring Book: The Manga Invasion Coloring Book: Meditate and find inspiration on a magical journey (Anime, Drawing)

By: Storytroll

Rating: 5 of 5

I am a fan of coloring books which are Manga or doodle creatures designs. This is the first one I have which is both in one. The central figure (male or female) is generally Manga inspired with an interesting background with lots of little doodle creatures. There is a great sketch-like quality to the designs which gives the finished artwork a very original look. The designs are detailed and some have intricate and small areas to color. Really a fun coloring book by artist Boonhau for fans of these two genres.

It appears that Okami Coloring and Storytroll publishing companies are somehow connected as they list both publishers books at the end of this book. I really appreciate the quality of their artists though the CreateSpace paper always leaves something to be desired. I also appreciate that they have included the actual artist’s name though they seem to be developing a specific name (Julia Rivers) to cover the coloring books they deliver. This is similar to what another publisher has done with the name Jade Summer.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
40 designs which are a mash-up of Manga characters with doodle creatures
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. While the designs do not have a framing line at the outer edges of the designs, they do have finished elements at the edges for ease of coloring.
Glue Binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.

The Fantastic World of the Brothers Grimm – Adult Coloring Book: Fairy Tales – Experience the Old Masters on a New Journey

By: Julia Rivers

Rating: 5 of 5

I enjoy both reading and coloring Brothers Grimm Fairy tales. This coloring book, by artist Forest Diver, has 40 different designs from a wide variety of tales. There are beautiful maidens, heroic young heroes and a few unpleasant villains. There is Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and much more. Most tales have two or more designs dedicated to them.

It appears that Okami Coloring and Storytroll publishing companies are somehow connected as they list both publishers books at the end of this book. I really appreciate the quality of their artists though the CreateSpace paper always leaves something to be desired. I also appreciate that they have included the actual artist’s name though they seem to be developing a specific name (Julia Rivers) to cover the coloring books they deliver. This is similar to what another publisher has done with the name Jade Summer.
The designs are detailed but do not, for the most part, include intricate elements with lots of tiny spots to color.
This is what I discovered while coloring in this book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
40 various Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Designs
Printed one side of the page
Paper is typical inexpensive quality by CreateSpace printing: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated.
The designs do not merge into the binding. While most of the designs do not have a framing line at the outer edges of the designs, the rest have finished elements at the edges for ease of coloring.
Glue Binding
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through in spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on back of the page. India ink can bleed through if you apply heavily or multiple coats.
Coloring Pencils work well with this paper. I found that I could layers the same color for deeper pigment or multiple colors and I could blend easily using a blending stick. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I also found that hard lead pencils leave dents through the paper.
I like to use a blotter when working in the book. I use a page of card stock or several sheets of heavyweight paper under my working page. It keeps seeping ink and marring dents from ruining the pages below.