Thanks to Rosie and the whole team at Pen & Sword for providing me a hardback copy of this gorgeous book that I freely chose to review.

This is not one of the usual books I review, but over the last few years I’ve become acquainted with adult colouring books through my mother, who loves them, and when I saw this one I realised this was something a bit different from most of the colouring books I’d seen. First, this is a hardback book, and it is not about a subject like flowers, or animals, or even a film. It is a book that promises “an experience of cultural treasures to colour” from Uzbekistan, and it does deliver. The book contains photographs of places, objects, ornaments, textiles… It is divided into distinct sections:

1) Architecture: with photographs of ancient temples, palaces, and modern mosques and other buildings, with brief explanations of the history and the significance of the building, in one page, and in the opposite page, the drawing to colour (in some cases of the reconstruction of the ancient building).

2) Murals. (Here I loved the winged horses and the beautiful geometrical ceiling decorations).

3) Ganch carvings. Intricate and beautiful, this section includes several pages of designs for free colouring, without corresponding photographs. In case you are not familiar with ganch carvings (I didn’t know the name but recognised it when I saw pictures), you can find more about it here).

4) Mosaics. Here, there are some deceptively simple and some incredibly detailed (like the one featured in the cover of the book). I’m a big fan of mosaics and loved this section.

5) Glazed bowls. If you love pottery, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one.

6) The textiles section includes some richly coloured woven carpets, amazing dresses (iroki embroidery) and gowns.

7) Paintings. These are fairly recent and incredibly beautiful as well. Although there are some fairly modern in style, others make one think of the Arabian Nights.

The quality of the print, the paper, the colours, the selection of contents, and the sheer beauty of the book is a joy. It is perhaps such a pretty object that I am not sure that many people will dare to colour it and risk ruining it, but I can see it inspiring many, and also making many people wonder about the country and its history.

If you are looking for an unusual present for somebody who loves colouring book, or simply somebody who might appreciate a beautiful book about the arts, craft, and architecture of Uzbekistan, I’d recommend it.

Harry Potter Maxi Colouring Book - Schol... Enjoyable for Harry Potter fans.

Harry Potter Colouring Book #4 Artifacts... Enjoyable for Harry Potter fans.

 

Come to the cider mill where delightful apples and pumpkins await you. Join in by adding your own pictures to the book and begin your journey on becoming an artist.

Review 5*****

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Autumn or Fall (depending on where you live) is a beautiful season, with trees changing colours and the air becoming colder and crisper. I must admit, on a personal note, that I am not overly fond of winter, and wish that we could keep the autumn season for a lot longer. To The Cider Mill is a wonderful children's story come drawing and colouring book.The cider mill comes alive in the fall, so some of the pictures are based on that season and has apples, pumpkins and scarecrows! This is a very difficult book to review, as there is very little in the way of words to read, since it is more of a pictorial journey to a cider mill. Nevertheless, there is an educational element to the book, and engages the young reader in learning how to draw and use colours to express themselves through art. The story can also help a child with their spelling and pronunciation (depending on reading ability). The beautifully drawn pictures are delightful, and children would be able to spend many happy hours colouring them in. There are pages that the author has purposely left blank, so that children could draw pictures in the book by following the directions on top of the page. I love colouring books such as this, even though I am an adult and supposed to have grown out of such childlike (note: not childish) activities. Give me a colouring book and some crayons, and I would happily while away more than a few hours doing something that gives me pleasure. 

Danna York has created a fantastic book for children that is educational and fun. Her drawings are lovely and convey a story very well. If she decides to create another picture story book, or even a straight children's story with words, I would happily read it.

I highly recommend this book to children aged 3 to 12 years. This book can be used as a birthday gift or stocking filler at Christmas. Unfortunately, this book is not suitable for Kindle due to the interactivity required by the reader, and is available in print only via the author at this time. - Lynn Worton

Link to the author's Facebook page for those of you who are interested in contacting her.

I may be well above the age range that this book is intended for but when I was offered a review copy of this book I jumped at the chance.  There is something relaxing about letting your creative juices flow and I haven't been able to put this activity book down since it arrived on my doorstep.  The book includes a fantastic range of pictures that you need to either colour in or draw / doodle on and I can guarantee there is something in there for everyone - santa, snowmen, reindeer, elves and even angels, if it makes you think of Christmas you'll find it in here somewhere.

You don't have to be an expert at drawing and the pictures will appeal to boys and girls of all ages and abilities.  Everytime I flick through the pages I spot something different that makes me want to dive back in with my felt tip pens.  This really would make an idea christmas present or book to buy to entertain the whole family in the run up to Christmas.  I love the fact that it even has an advent calendar for you to colour in each day (yes I have already coloured in the square for December the 1st!)



I couldn't review an activity book without actually giving it a try so here are a couple of before and after pictures.  First is a Christmas design that just needed to be coloured in.

Before:

After:


Next we have a page of snowflakes that was just waiting to be doodled on

Before:

After:


This is a great quality book that will offer hours of entertainment for the whole family and I would highly recommend it for those cold snow filled afternoons in the run up to Christmas.  It's a perfect way to keep the kids occupied while you're wrapping up the Christmas presents (and something you'll probably want to dip into yourself when they're tucked up in bed for the night).