Coloring books, so long reserved for children, have found a new audience with a flurry of coloring books for adults. These books are usually in a variety of styles, from flora and fauna to familiar design patterns and even stories (somewhat like graphic novels, with drawings left to color). Many of the designs are sophisticated, images appealing to adult tastes. This wider range of selections shows no signs of losing their appeal, adults often using them as a form of meditation. The new line of paperback coloring books is created by Sketchbook Artist Designs in a variety of styles to please both adults and children.

I Love It When You Tickle My Pickle - 3 Stars
The first in the series is I Love It When You Tickle My Pickle. Most likely for adults, the risqué title is followed by more measured pages, each spread with its own quote, the opposite side allowing a personal touch. For instance, the lefthand page says "The opposite of love is not hate/ it's indifference." The facing page leaves room for a personalized response. That theme continues throughout. Pages can be colored to add to the appeal. A bright green cover with a "pickle" graphic and the title suggests a book that can be a little bit naughty or a little bit nice.

2018 PLANNER - 4 Stars
This clever planner, with its colorful flowered cover, is one of the most attractive of the series. Prefaced with a yearly overview, listing the calendar dates for both 2018 and 2019, the facing page "Quick Reference Information" is dedicated to personal and emergency information. Each month is preceded by a spread with the month's grid, followed by individual dates with plenty of room for notes. Each month is presented this way--the grid first, followed by individual days per month. (* Note: The entire month of January 2019 is included, a nice bonus to cover the changing of years.) The paper in the planner is smooth and easy to write on, the flower-decked pages attractive and inviting.

SKETCH BOOK FOR BOYS/ SKETCH BOOK FOR GIRLS - 4 stars
Each of these sketchbooks has an appropriate cover--space travel for boys with a blue background, funny face for girls with a pink background. The books are filled with smooth, high-quality paper, suitable for drawing and coloring with colored pencils or pens or crayons, maybe even watercolors. These books seem simple; actually, these bright-colored choices are quite tempting for a child with a box full of crayons or markers.

VALENTINES CARDS FOR KIDS - 5 stars
This is my favorite of this collection, a "Creative Valentine Card Coloring Book" featuring charming designs of hearts, birds, and adorable animals in Valentine designs. Each page is a Valentine, with a drawing on the front, the opposite size with a space for addressing the card. This is a perfect design for any little girl (and boys, too!), choosing a particular design and coloring it, then removing the page, ready to give to a Valentine. This is a really cute idea and sure to please parent and child, a more personal way to celebrate a favorite holiday.