When my children were small and had colouring books I used to wait until they were in bed and sneak a page or two myself and colour in. I loved it and always found it totally relaxing and when I mentioned I did this to my friends quite a few of them said they did it too. So it is hardly surprising that over the last year there has been a plethora of colouring books for adults on the shelves. I was in town yesterday and popped into Smiths and there was a whole display of gorgeous books just begging to be taken home and coloured in.
I resisted the temptation with difficulty but managed it because I knew I had a super special one at home which I have just started, ie Secret Garden by Johanna Basford.
This was first published in 2013 as a straightforward colouring in book but now Laurence King publishing has released the Secret Garden: Artist's Edition. This features twenty beautiful pull out and frame posters and each one is printed onto high quality card. This means that when you have finished you can take the drawing out and frame it for display should you so wish.
These black and white drawings are incredibly intricate and as soon as I opened it my fingers itched to start. I have managed one flower so far and it is clear that the pencils I own are pretty poor and I need to get some new ones. For this kind of work a really good pencil or pen is required.
I have tried not to mention Christmas until at least the start of November but this book is just crying out to be wrapped up and put at the foot of the Christmas Tree. A perfect present not only for its beauty, but it seems from all the reviews I have read for the original Secret Garden, it is a stress reliever and relaxer and, let's face it, by Boxing Day you may find this essential.
But do please buy some great pens or pencils to go in the parcel too.
