Color me amused . . .

 Crayons and coloring books were a staple of my childhood. The books could be had for $.25 or less at the local variety store and a box of 8 crayons was about $.79.  We spent hours filling in the blank outlines with bursts of color as well as bickering with our siblings or friends over the use of particularly popular colors. Remember, this was a predominantly TV-less life back in the 50's . . . and if there happened to be a television, it offered up four channels in black, white and shades of gray. Color was in our crayons.

The girl or boy who brought a box of 16 Crayola crayons (or gasp! a box of 64) to school, in a world of 8 fat crayons with a flat side, was the object of second-grade envy. Then coloring books lost popularity as "coloring outside the lines" became a popular mantra. "They" said that coloring books stifled creativity in developing children and kids should be given blank pads along with their crayons. Well, guess what. These creativity-stifling books are back  - for adults - and they are everywhere.

Browse the book area at BJ's after buying your super size whatever and this you will see -

Walk into Michael's  and this display is facing the entrance . . .  the sign reads "On Trend - Coloring Books for Adults" . . . hmmm . . .

 Back to BJ's . . . for a mere $8.99 each, you can purchase and take home something that promises to color you happy, calm, or relaxed. You can choose to color "amazing" mandalas, "beautiful" blossoms, as well as  Chinese or Japanese designs for fun and relaxation. 

"Magic" seems to be popular in coloring book titles and there are designs of the orient in Eastern Magic, beautiful floral designs in Blossom Magic, amazing mandalas in Mandala Magic and fantastic flowers in Magic Garden. The Mindfulness Coloring Book offers "anti-stress art therapy for busy people."  OK, then.

When I stopped at Michael's for magnetic clasps for my doll necklaces (more on that another time), I photographed the display facing the entrance shown above.  I had spent way too much time (IMO) looking at the coloring books at BJ's, so walked on by. I have my own stuff to color at home.

The adult coloring book phenomenon has not gone unnoticed in the media.  The librarian me has found some articles for those of you interested in "reading all about it."  

The Huffington Post article published April 21, 2015 is titled 10 Adult Coloring Books to Help You De-stress and Self-express.

The CNN featured article published April 24, 2015, leads off with  Adult coloring books topping bestseller lists. 

The New Yorker magazine published  Why adults are buying coloring books (for themselves) in the July 12, 2015 issue. 

And most recently posted on August 19, 2015, mbg (mindbodygreen.com) website offers a selection of six coloring books for readers with descriptions in their article The Anxiety-Reducing Activity You Haven't Tried Since You Were a Kid. (Click on the titles to link to the articles.)

Dover Publications has been selling coloring books for children and adults for decades as well as sponsoring coloring contests. The coloring books section of their website offers numerous themes including one called "Creative Haven," a best-selling series of coloring books for adults. Dover mentions articles in CNN, Fox News, and The Huffington Post, touting coloring as a great way for adults to relax and beat stress.

So, from stifling creativity to relaxation and beating stress.  Change happens. Color me amused!

Cheers!