Tranquility

     A prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal

Hope, promises, faith, prayer, worship, trust, rest, identity... They are all included in this little, innovative coloring journal from Tyndale, part of the Living Expressions Collection.

With coloring books so "in," it's not easy to find one that has a bit more than just doodles and spaces to fill in - which really appealed to my creative bone.

Something that I really like about this book is that there is a bit of room for everything - you can decide whether to color or write, which makes this little book quite different from the typical coloring only versions.

There are a lot of pages with a prayer, a Bible verse and room for notes. However, I also found encouragement to identify the needs of those around me and to write a small prayer for them in blank pages. There is even some room to write down quotes and sayings that can inspire you. I particularly am fond of this, since it could be an opportunity to develop our own dialogue with God.

One of my favorite things is that it is quite sturdy. It has a hardcover that will probably lengthen the time you can spend on it. The best is that you can actually color in it without needing to look for another extra something to have a good base. Many coloring books are so flimsy, that coloring in them is a hassle, rather than a process to enjoy. Also, it's kind of the perfect size; it fits in my purse easily and you can take it anywhere.

When it comes to design, I like to use different coloring techniques, like gradients. Some of the spaces in the drawings are a bit too small; I needed to have my sharpener with me all the time, to keep a sharp point. So, if you like to work with the side of the point or don't carry your sharpener, you will probably have to find a way around the doodle you want to color, or change your idea while you're at it. However, the quality of the content and the intricacy of the drawings are superior to most coloring books I've seen in grocery stores and even craft stores.

I could use this book as a prompt for a devotional time; in this sense, I can see it as a good gift for somebody who is starting to explore the blessing of spending time with God. I would definitely not use it instead of study or prayer time. Maybe it could also be a good tool for those who have been walking with God for a longer period of time, but need some encouragement or are going through some kind of challenge. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Book Publishers, in exchange of an honest review. My opinion was not biased by this.