At Play in God’s Creation: An Illuminating Coloring Book



I enjoy adult coloring books. As a psychologist, I am keenly aware of the healing power of art therapy and how it can help reduce stress and tension and allow the person to focus and to express their emotions and their creativity. When I color, I feel relaxed and youthful again in the sense that I am allowing myself to play, to have fun, and to be like a child again. It is a wonderful escape from the everyday stresses of work, home, and family life.

At Play in God’s Creation:An Illuminating Coloring Book  (written by Tara M. Owens and illustrated by Daniel W. Sorenson) is a beautiful coloring book that contains intriguing illustrations of flowers, trees, mountains, valleys, shells, butterflies, animals, oceans, and many scenes from nature. It guides you through arched pathways, intricate mazes, and open fields, providing spiritual direction along the way, with each drawing containing a quote from scripture, the saints, or mystics who guide you on the contemplative journey.

Spiritual contemplation is the purpose of this coloring book, which makes it uniquely different and superior to the average coloring book. At Play in God’s Creation was designed “to provide a window into the gifts of God for the people of God made manifest in God’s beautiful, glorious, and colorful world.” The author encourages you to “play, pray, and to experience the goodness of God’s creation.” When we color, we learn to focus and we become still and calm. It is in this stillness that we find God and experience peace. This is contemplative prayer, which the authors hope to instill in those who use this book.

This is no ordinary coloring book. I would suggest that when you use this book, you find a quiet spot, like the Adoration chapel or a private room, to receive the outpouring of graces that contemplative prayer offers. Be sure to read the suggestions that the author provides which will remove stress, put you in peaceful frame of mind, and guide you in contemplative prayer. There is also a wonderful directory in the back of the book which provides a biography of each the mystics in the book, which includes: St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Francis de Sales, St. Francis of Assisi, and many other great mystics.

At Play in God’s Creation is a delightful coloring book that would be beneficial to use in group retreats, contemplative prayer groups, or simply for individuals who desire to seek a closer union with God. It is a joyful and creative way of finding holiness.

You can find At Play in God's Creation at Franciscan Media, Amazon, or your local Catholic bookstore.

This review has been shared with  My Scribbler’s Heart Open Book Link-up.
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Comments

  1. Carolyn Astfalk11/4/16, 8:11 AM

    That looks wonderful! I love to color, but haven't made time for it even though I received a coloring book at Christmas last year. The added spiritual dimension in this book would make it even more worthwhile! Thanks for linking up with An Open Book!

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