Poetry Collections and Coloring Books: 7 Scenic Pairings
Poetry and coloring have more in common than you might think. The two mediums have grown in popularity throughout the past decade, and it’s easy to see why. Both have been known to boost creativity and improve mental health. Moreover, the quiet concentration that poetry and coloring require offers the perfect refuge from worries and responsibilities. Collect your colored pencils and turn to a book of delightful designs based on your favorite poetry collection.
1. If you love Amanda Lovelace’s The Princess Saves Herself in This One, dive into Thomas Kinkade’s Disney Dreams Collection
There are many different takes on fairy tales. While Disney presents a more classic interpretation, Amanda Lovelace’s beloved collection injects fairy tale symbolism with feminism and empowerment. Despite their differences, these two imaginings of what princesses can be feel uniquely adventurous and regal. Those inspired by Lovelace’s heroines will enjoy illustrating the fiercely independent Mulan, Tiana, and Jasmine.
2. If you love Taisia Kitaiskaia’s Ask Baba Yaga: Otherworldly Advice for Everyday Troubles, find artistic inspiration with Believe in Magic
Tarot cards, mandalas, and herbs celebrate ritual and healing in the stress-relieving Believe in Magic coloring book. Ask Baba Yaga channels a similarly mystical tone, guiding readers toward self-fulfillment and sanctuary. Those who appreciate Ask Baba Yaga’s balance of ancient wisdom and modern witchery will approach Believe in Magic as an artistic and whimsical oracle.
3. If you love Anne Carson’s Autobiography of Red, explore The Mysterious Mansion
Carson’s famed Autobiography of Red is one of today’s best examples of an epic poem. Its high stakes and sprawling scenery invite readers into an enticing, unexpected mythology. The Mysterious Mansion is equally transporting, as artists solve puzzles and shade intricate scenes alongside a young girl trying to escape the abandoned, old estate.
4. If you love Ross Gay’s Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, pick up Take Care: Inspired Activities for Gratitude
Oftentimes, poetry can be a mournful genre. Gay turns this expectation on its head in Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, a finalist for the National Book Award in poetry. Like Gay, the creators behind Take Care: Inspired Activities for Gratitude help crafters focus on the positive and embrace gratitude as an ongoing practice.
5. If you love Ralph Waldo Emerson, indulge in Take Care: Inspired Activities for Reflection
If the transcendentalists were around today, they’d see themselves reflected in this title from the Posh coloring and activities collection. Emerson’s poetry encourages readers to be inquisitive and look beyond the surface. Likewise, Take Care: Inspired Activities for Reflection brings light-heartedness to the act of self-examination.
6. If you love Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver, appreciate the details in Take Care: Inspired Activities for Mindfulness
Dubbed “the poet of mindfulness,” Oliver’s work urges readers to recognize the beauty and significance all around us. This appreciation for the simple joys of daily life shines through in Take Care: Inspired Activities for Mindfulness, which breaks down the sacred practice into accessible steps that just might improve your outlook.
7. If you love An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo, stay grounded with Take Care: Inspired Activities for Calm
Harjo’s poetry explores complicated histories and deep struggles but retains an unrelenting connection to the earth despite tragedies and obstacles. Her soothing, reverent tone and atmospheric images have earned her fans from around the globe. Take Care: Inspired Activities for Calm evokes a similar mindset, asking coloring fans to remain grounded and aware no matter what.
Coloring and poetry mark just one of the connections between verse and art. Discover more about ekphrastic inspiration.
