Friday, July 28, 2017

Book Review :: Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal

I was an immediate fan when the Gratitude Coloring Journal came out, and I am equally excited about the new Tranquility Coloring Journal

The Tranquility Coloring Journal is sold as a hardcover, but the cover is really unique. It is like a paperback book with two hardcover panels on the front and back covers. The corners on the open edges of the book have rounded corners. This unique cover treatment means that the spine is smaller than the open edges of the book. This cover treatment creates a sturdy cover with the flexibility to be able to lay the book open where the pages lay almost flat (perfect for getting into all the nooks and crannies when you are coloring).
The cover is not the only unique part of the Tranquility Coloring Journal. It is also unique in how it approaches the "coloring book" portion of the pages. The Tranquility Coloring Journal isn't all black and white line art as you would find in most coloring books. Some pages have colored backgrounds with black and white line art to color in, some have partially colored designs on the pages (you can fill in the rest), some have colored lines for the artwork (instead of plain black lines), and there are a few pages included where there is nothing obvious to be colored in (the pages look finished with lots of color already). The styling and artwork is just beautiful, and if you choose not to color anything in it will still be pretty to look at.

The Tranquility Coloring Journal uses 2-page spreads for each topic. Most of the 2-page spreads feature a short (one paragraph) prompt that is written to God, from the perspective of reader. They are very short, but still thought provoking...like a 30-second kick in the pants. There is also a verse (or verses) to read and some lines to write/respond. The Tranquility Coloring Journal has 41 of the 2-page spreads described above. After a set of three of the previously described 2-page spreads, there is a 2-page spread with a different approach. These spreads have some open, unlined space and a simple prompt/idea on how to use it (some variation of collage, writing, and/or drawing). There are 13 of these spreads. At the end of the Tranquility Coloring Journal is one lined page for notes. If you do one entry per day, this book will take you just under 2 months to complete.

I have been really impressed with both the Tranquility Coloring Journal and the Gratitude Coloring Journal - inside and out. They are great books to purchase for yourself or to give as a gift. 
FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

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