Does drawing, scribbling, coloring and doodling bring back fond memories of your childhood? Perhaps now is the time to give it a try once again! With coloring books designed specially for adults making a splash in the book market today, more and more people of all ages are discovering the benefits of coloring in their lives.

Samantha Snyder, founder of Doodle Art Alley, has taken the idea of doodling a step farther. In 2008, she began designing one-of-a-kind coloring pages of inspirational quotes, sayings, proverbs, and words incorporated into images that are just plain fun to color! More recently, Samantha began publishing collections of more intricate coloring pages, forming the series of Doodle Art Alley Books. The first book in the series, ‘Imagination Will Take You Anywhere’, contains 50 doodle art images including quotes from Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Shakespeare, and motivational words such as FAITH, COURAGE, HOPE, and CREATE.

According to Samantha, “A quick glance at a doodle may show scribbles, random lines and shapes with no meaning or significance. However, with a little love and direction, these drawings have the potential to compete with some of the best artwork there is! Doodling is so much more than simply drawing on a post-it or unconsciously scribbling on your notebook paper during an especially boring lecture. With the right care and approach, beautiful pictures can be created. Geometric and abstract designs along with the wonderfully detailed artwork can grow from one simple, single line. Even emotional and mental healing can stem from a tiny little mark. The ideas and creative pathways are endless. ”

A few of the many proven benefits of coloring include:

• First and foremost… It’s fun!

• It’s a free expression of art – the perfect creative tool.

• As a relaxation technique, doodling and coloring often can’t be beat.

• The practice of coloring generates wellness and quietness.

• It also stimulates areas of the brain that are usually underworked.

If you would like to get started on the fun, addictive, empowering activity of coloring, I encourage you to give Doodle Art Alley coloring books a try. These books are perfect for beginners as they contain simple images that can be completed in a short amount of time, (depending on your level of perfectionism!). Each member of my family that I shared this book with was delighted – and you will be too! Don’t hesitate to check out Doodle Art Alley right away – you won’t be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, courtesy of AKA Associates Inc., and Word Slinger Publicity. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.