iiiiReader Book Reviews

The Peter Rabbit Coloring Book: A Classic Editions Coloring Book

By: Beatrix Potter

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a really beautiful coloring book of the tale of Peter Rabbit. The story is that of Beatrix Potter and the illustrations are by Charles Santore. They are a hybrid grayscale/line drawing version of the illustrations in the storybook by the same artist. Along with the story and the designs, there are thumbnail color pictures from the storybook on the inside front and back covers. That way, you can use similar colors if you so choose.

The book is a larger than standard format. The designs are a bit of a mix of line drawings and grayscale with a heavy use of gray in the details. There is still area for blending and shading if you desire. It is a really nice mix and one that will be fun to color.
It is set up in true storybook style, with the text on the left hand side (back of page) and the illustration to the right. Some mediums will bleed through the page (see below), which will interfere with the text but if that doesn’t bother you, you can treat the book as if the designs were one sided.
My current plan is to use a mix of water-based markers with pencil accents. This is a book that I will enjoy reading to my grandchildren, so each week I hope to have a new design finished so my grandson can see the progress as we read through the book
This is what I found while coloring in the book and testing my coloring medium on the paper:
12 Beautifully drawn Peter Rabbit designs by Charles Santore
Designs printed on one side of the page with storybook text on the back.
Paper is white, every so slightly rough to touch, medium weight and non-perforated
Glue Bound
Designs stop short of the binding and have a framing line at the outer edges
Book opens easily to flat position for ease of coloring.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page
Water-based markers and India ink markers leave a slight colorful shadow on the back of the page.
Gel pens do not bleed through an left an indistinct shadow on the back of the page.
Colored pencils did well with this paper. I tested both oil and wax based pencils. I was easily able to get good pigment with multiple layers of the same color. I also was able to layer multiple colors and blend well using a blender stick.

More Good Vibes Coloring Book (Coloring is Fun) (Design Originals) 32 Beginner-Friendly Uplifting & Creative Art Activities on High-Quality Extra-Thick Perforated Paper that Resists Bleed Through

By: Thaneeya McArdle

Rating: 5 of 5

This is another fun coloring book Thaneeya McArdle. I own several of her books have always have a fun time with them. This is a second book of feel good and inspiring messages good vibes. I don’t own the first in this series but am having a great time coloring in this book. There are cute designs with sayings and the back of the page has quotes by famous individuals and unknowns which range from inspiring to funny. I noted that the back of the page is now back in gray rather than colors. I prefer that as sometimes the color could show through to the front of the page depending on which medium I work with.

Once again, I love the designs in this book but am less than pleased with the fact that the publisher is printing 8 of the designs in less than full size. They have included a thumbnail color sample, some sample colors used in their design for inspiration and a few words to talk about the colors. It takes up the bottom 2.5 inches of the page. This information could be printed on a separate page or on the actual color sample page rather than on the coloring page.
In this book, it makes less of a difference than in other books. The designs can still be colored as there aren’t tiny elements but I would much rather color a full page designs. As the designs are not difficult to color, I won’t detract any stars from my review.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
32 Inspiring and feel good sayings with fun designs 24 Full Size and 8 Medium Size
Printed one side of the page back of page has soft gray design, journal lines and a quote appropriate to the subject of the coloring book
Paper is medium weight, white, slightly rough and perforated
Glue Binding
Designs stop well before the perforations
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page quickly.
Water-based markers bleed through the page in heavy spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens can spot through to the back of the page
Colored pencils work well with the paper. Both oil and wax based pencils provide good color, layer, and blend well. Hard lead pencils can dent through the page.
I use a blotter page of card stock or heavyweight paper (two sheets) to keep seeping ink and dents from marring the pages below. I recommend using a blotter or that you remove pages before coloring.

I Dream in Color: An Inspirational Journey Coloring Book

By: Hannah Lynn

Rating: 5 of 5

I own several coloring books by Hannah Lynn and have enjoyed all of them. I Dream In Color is beyond a doubt my favorite. It is so inspirational in its makeup and has beautiful illustrations to color as well. It describes the journey of someone who is brave and strong and gives beautiful illustrations of that journey.

The book starts with a six page story about the girl whose story is followed through the coloring pages. These pages include areas to color. At the end, there is a surprise page about the identity of the girl. Then follows some wonderful journal pages, the first nine pages of this journal area are done as illustrated pages you can color and the remaining five are simple journal pages with lines and a few illustrations. This is something I have never seen before but which makes perfect sense and adds so much to the coloring book.
In addition to the above, there are a full 27 pages of coloring designs. They include the beautiful girl with huge eyes but they also include very detailed background elements as well. I am used to designs from Ms. Lynn which focus almost entirely on the person so it is great to get illustrations that are more balanced with background. I’m having a lot of fun with this book.
Here is what I found while coloring in the book and testing the paper with my coloring medium:
27 Full Design pages, 7 story pages with designs to color, 9 journal pages with designs to color and 5 journal pages
Designs are printed on one side of thin, slightly rough non-perforated paper typical of CreateSpace.
Glue Binding
Easy to open to flat position for coloring
Designs do not merge into the binding and have a double framing line at the outer edges
Alcohol and water-based markers bleed through the page to some degree. Water-based bleed through in spots while alcohol-based bleed through freely
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of page. India ink can bleed through if you use multiple layers or apply heavily.
Colored pencils work well with this paper. Both oil and wax based provide good color when I use multiple layers of the same color. I am easily able to blend (using a pencil style blender stick) and layer multiple colors as well. Hard lead pencils leave dents through the back of the page.
Because of the bleed through and dents, I suggest (and use) a blotter page below my working page no matter what medium I use. I prefer card stock but several sheets of heavyweight paper work as well.

Groovy Owls Coloring Book (Coloring Is Fun) (Design Originals)

By: Thaneeya McArdle

Rating: 5 of 5

I own a few coloring books by Thaneeya McArdle; however, this is the first one that I have that is dedicated to owl designs. The designs are so much fun to color. She has given each of them a different personality. I really enjoy the wide range it seems like each and every one is different from the others. I enjoy coloring owls and have done a couple by Ms. McArdle (in books with a wide variety of subjects) so it is really special to get a book with 32 owl designs.

I noted that the back of the page is now back in gray rather than colors. I prefer that as sometimes the color could show through to the front of the page depending on which medium I work with. The back of the page has inspiring quotes, journal lines and a design element or two you can color if you choose to do so.
The publisher is, once again, printing 8 of the designs in less than full size. They have included a thumbnail color sample, some sample colors used in their design for inspiration and a few words to talk about the colors. It takes up the bottom 2.5 inches of the page. This information could be printed on a separate page or on the actual color sample page rather than on the coloring page.
It seems like they gave some thought to it as in this book, it makes less of a difference than in other books. The designs can still be colored as there aren’t tiny elements. I would still much rather color a full page designs. As the designs are not difficult to color, I won’t detract any stars from my review.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
32 Fun to color Owl designs 24 Full Size and 8 Medium Size
Printed one side of the page back of page has soft gray design, journal lines and an inspiring quote
Paper is medium weight, white, slightly rough and perforated
Glue Binding
Designs stop well before the perforations
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page
Water-based markers leave colorful shadows and bleed through in very noticeable spots.
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows on the back of the page and can spot through to the back of the page if applied heavily.
Colored pencils work well with the paper. Both oil and wax based pencils provide good color, layer, and blend well using a blender stick. Hard lead pencils can dent through the page.
I use a blotter page of card stock or heavyweight paper (two sheets) to keep seeping ink and dents from marring the pages below. I recommend using a blotter or that you remove pages before coloring.

Beauty and the Beast: A Coloring Book (Classic Coloring Book)

By: Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve

Rating: 4 of 5

I was very curious to see this coloring book as it gives credit to Walter Crane for the illustrations. Unfortunately, while the story has quotations from the original story, I don’t believe that the illustrations are by Mr. Crane. They are from Shutterstock, Eliz Hyseyin, Ian Cunlifee and Lydia Coventry.

If there is any use of Mr. Crane’s artwork, it is miniscule and unrecognizable. The book even gives bio information to Mr. Crane which is also very misleading. While I believe it is completely incorrect to imply that Mr. Crane’s work is included, the designs are very pretty. The publisher should correct the misinformation immediately.
The 96 pages of designs are detailed and many contain intricate and small areas to color. You will need small nib pens/markers and sharp pencils for those areas.
Many of the designs spread across two pages with integral portions of the design being lost into the binding area. In my copy of the book, the pages line up fairly well.
What bothers me a bit is the number of wall-paper style (repeating) designs. Twenty-eight pages of the book are in this style with several others fairly close (slight detail changes on gloves, etc. keep them from being totally repetitive.) That is close to one third of the book. If the publishers had placed these repetitive designs behind the more unique designs throughout, I could have treated them as waste pages and thus be allowed to use color medium that bleeds through the page (see below.) But that was not the case.
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
96 pages of detailed and intricate designs based on Beauty and the Beast. Includes many pages which include design elements licensed through Shutterstock rather than designs unique to this book. Also includes many repetitive wall-paper style designs.
Printed both sides of the page
Paper is heavyweight, white, slightly smooth and non-perforated
Designs merge into the binding
There are many designs which spread across two pages
Sewn Binding. You can remove several pages in whole at one time by snipping several threads. I won’t do that as it will disturb the continuity of the design.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page
Water-based markers, India ink pens, and gel pens do not bleed through or leave shadows on the back of the page. Gel pens require additional drying time.
Colored pencils work okay with this paper. It is slightly smooth which made blending with a blending stick a little more difficult (slightly smeary.) I was able to get good pigment and to layer colors well. I tested both wax and oil based pencils with similar results.

Little Red Riding Hood: A Fairy Tale Coloring Book with Adorable Fantasy Characters, Enchanted Forest Animals, and Cute Nature Scenes

By: Jade Summer

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the first coloring book I have based on Little Red Riding Hood. It covers the story from beginning to end (though leaving out the most frightening scenes.) I like that the artist used some discretion and substituted in pepper and sneezing for how Grandma gets back out. I also like that the wolf seems so mild at first (very friendly looking) and his wolf demeanor changes when he gets to Grandmas.

It will be a lot of fun to color in this book. I especially like getting two copies of each design in this book (25 different designs but two copies each) as I can share with my grandchildren when they are ready to color something this detailed.
The designs are quite detailed and some of them contain what I consider intricate and small elements to color. I found that my ultra-fine points, brush points and small nib gel pens worked well as did my colored pencils when sharped to fine points. Crayons would be much more difficult to work with unless you can sharpen them to a small point.
While you can have access to .PDFs when you purchase this book, my review is based on the book as it is received from Amazon. That way you will know what the pages look like and how they accept color. I like that the publisher provides the digital version as well so you can choose the paper you wish to use and/or to color the pictures as many times as you choose.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium:
25 x 2 each Little Red Riding Hood inspired Designs
Paper is typical of CreateSpace: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated. The back of the page is printed black.
The designs do not merge into the binding. There is a heavy framing line at the outer edges of the design to give the project a more finished look, especially for framing. There is a slight shadowing effect to the framing line which gives the image an almost 3D effect.
Glue Binding (there is room to cut the pages out if you choose to do so.)
Though you cannot see the bleed-through easily due to the back of the page being printed in black, I recommend the use of a blotter page when working in this 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.
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.

Angels: An Adult Coloring Book with Beautiful Christian Women, Relaxing Floral Designs, and Inspirational Religious Themes

By: Jade Summer

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a lovely book of female Angel designs. There are 25 different designs but you are given 2 copies of each to total 50 coloring pages. The angels are posed against backgrounds rather than a simple figure. Some are full face and others are in profile. The dress is quite different with some in traditional long gowns and others in slightly more revealing two piece dresses or sleeveless gowns.

The designs are quite detailed and will take hours to finish. They are not what I consider intricate as the elements to color do not require special small nib pens/markers. I am able to use a wide variety of coloring medium on these designs.
While you can have access to .PDFs when you purchase this book, my review is based on the book as it is received from Amazon. That way you will know what the pages look like and how they accept color. I like that the publisher provides the digital version as well so you can choose the paper you wish to use and/or to color the pictures as many times as you choose.
This is what I found while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium:
25 x 2 each Angel Designs
Paper is typical of CreateSpace: white, thin, slightly rough and non-perforated. The back of the page is printed black.
The designs do not merge into the binding. There is a heavy framing line at the outer edges of the design to give the project a more finished look, especially for framing. There is a slight shadowing effect to the framing line which gives the image an almost 3D effect.
Glue Binding (there is room to cut the pages out if you choose to do so.)
Though you cannot see the bleed-through easily due to the back of the page being printed in black, I recommend the use of a blotter page when working in this 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.
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.

Posh Adult Coloring Book: Thomas Kinkade Peaceful Moments (Posh Coloring Books)

By: Thomas Kinkade

Rating: 5 of 5

Attached to this review will be my silent video which will show all of the pages of the book, both the designs and the photos. I will also upload a few pages in photos to show how the book is put together.

This is the second Thomas Kinkade coloring book in this series. The books are published by Posh and follow the same format, that is, a black on white line drawing to the right and a matte color photo of the design to the left. The size of the book is the same as is the texture of the paper. What is different is that Peaceful Moments is printed on bright white paper where the first, in comparison, is more of a very slight ivory white.
There are many of my favorites included in this book, so I am thrilled with it though coloring in it will be a challenge as it was with the first book. The designs are beautiful but lack details so that my finished projects look quite different from the originals. That is to be expected, though, because Mr. Kinkade’s artwork is so wonderful.
Most of the designs in this book are architectural in nature with buildings (cottages, Victorian homes, lighthouses, etc.) but a few are simply beautiful landscape scenes. I like the mix and look forward to having a lot of fun with this book.
There will be at least one more book in this series based on Disney artwork. A commenter on one of my reviews suggested that a gray scale coloring book would be lovely. I agree wholeheartedly. It would be wonderful to have such a book in a larger format. That would be a great way of getting all the detail in a coloring book. I hope someone at the publishing house takes up this idea.
The designs are printed on the right hand side of with the photo of the actual painting on the left hand side (i.e., opposite each other in the book.) This will allow me to look at the photo of the real painting while I am coloring my own. Certain coloring medium will bleed through and can ruin the colored designs (see below.)
Here is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my medium:
63 Thomas Kinkade designs with 63 color photos as well
Designs printed on one side of the page with a photo on the back of the page.
Paper is bright white, very slightly rough, non-perforated and medium weight.
Designs stop before the binding area but unfinished elements are left on all four sides of the design which does not have a framing line.
Glue Bound
Pages can be cut out without loss of designs. I don’t plan to do so as I want to keep the continuity of the colored picture and design together.
Alcohol-based markers bleed through the paper.
Water-based markers leave shadows of color (with some spotting through) on the back of the page except for the brush end of Tombows which did not leak through.
India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page.
Gel pens do not bleed through.
Colored pencils work well with this paper. I tested both oil and wax based pencils and was able to get good results from both. I got good pigment (especially with multiple layers of the same color.) I was able to layer different colors and to blend easily using a blending stick.
If you decide to use markers, you will probably have some amount of bleed-through onto the back of the page. I recommend using a heavyweight sheet of paper or card stock below your working page. That will keep ink from damaging the next design below.