The Growth Mindset

The Growth Mindset Coach

Annie Brock and Heather Hundley

 This book was written by two teachers for teachers to use in the classroom setting. It is a series of lessons and thoughts that help the teachers reach the students and teach them valuable life and learning lessons. There is a month-to-month program with activities, lesson plans, stories, sample letters, and feedback from other teachers. Each chapter has related stories, examples to implement the idea, questions to get the teachers thinking, and space for writing down thoughts or lesson plan ideas. 

Let me start by saying I'm not a teacher. I work closely with teachers in the field, but have not had the experience of teaching other than being a substitute occasionally. However, I do work with them and have children. I've read through this book and think it is very well laid out. The authors did a great job of writing something that wasn't boring, got me to thinking, gave practical ideas and illustrations, and seemed manageable. I will be passing this book on to my children's school, but from my view it is a great resource for teachers and well worth the read.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Calming Dot to Dot

Calming Dot to Dot

Emily Wallis

Coloring isn't the only stress reliever that adults can now turn to. The artist/author of this book has created some of the most intricate, beautiful dot to dot pictures I've ever seen. Each one can be traced and then colored if the person desires. The pictures vary with a variety of animals, people, buildings, and nature. Each page is on a heavy duty paper that won't bleed should you choose to use markers. The bendable cover and smaller shape makes this a great book for slipping into a purse or book bag to use during those inevitable wait times.

I loved the pictures and the smaller design that made this more relaxing and allowed me to focus. There is a brief instructional description of the book at the beginning that was also helpful to how the author/artist intended the book to be used. This would make a great gift, but I personally intend to keep my copy.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.

Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards

Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards

Wendy Piersall

Relaxation isn't just limited to coloring books. Grab this little book of postcards and share the beauty with someone else. Twenty oversized postcards have flower mandalas on one side and a decorative space for a note on the opposite side. The mandalas are a smaller version of what you will find in the flower mandala coloring book.

I'm a huge fan of Wendy Piersall and adult coloring books so this was a nice addition to my addiction. My children enjoyed coloring a couple of the postcards to send to family who lives in another state. These are small enough to slip in a purse or bookcase and pulled out for those inevitable times one has to wait. If you love to color, I highly recommend these beautiful little postcards.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.

Coloring Bird Mandalas

Coloring BirdMandalas

30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation

Wendy Piersall

Coloring can be relaxing, help you focus, and is a peaceful fun way to unwind. This is the 6th book by this artist and has the same style of beautiful, intricate drawings as the others. Each page is made of thick, white, heavy-duty paper that won't bleed through or show indentions. The artist has created 30 birds that almost completely fill each page and offer a wide variety for the imagination to enjoy coloring.

This artist is my favorite when it comes to adult coloring books. I've looked through, and colored, multiple books and I always come back to these books. The books are easy to use when sitting down on a chair since they use such heavy paper. There is no need for a table or desk. The attention to detail is beautiful and allows me to create my own little work of art. I've used this while listening to presentations, as a way to relax, and while waiting for appointments. If you are looking for a good quality, detailed adult coloring book, I'd highly recommend this one. Well worth every penny.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.

Coloring Ocean Mandalas

Coloring Ocean Mandalas

30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation

Wendy Piersall

 

Coloring, especially the mandalas has been show to reduce stress, relax the mind, and calm anxiety.  Adults are jumping on the trend of coloring to relax and calm them. I've reviewed quite a few adult coloring books, but none of them compare to the artwork drawn by Wendy Piersall. Her attention to detail and gorgeous designs are truly a work of art.

 I use these to focus my mind when I'm listening to a lecture or have to wait for an appointment. My children love to color these as well and I can honestly say that I've seen my daughter's fine motor skills improve as she's colored the intricate designs. These books would also make excellent gifts.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.

Coloring Dream Mandalas

Coloring Dream Mandalas

30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation

Wendy Piersall

Coloring has been shown to relax and help adults focus. Artful drawings with a dream theme fill each page and give the viewer a beautiful picture before it's even filled in with color. Some of the mandalas include inspirational quotes as well.

The artwork that fills this book is amazing. I can speak from personal experience that coloring these mandalas is relaxing and calming. The size is great for sliding into my book binder and the pages stay open while I'm coloring. Although the book is marketed to adults, children will enjoy it as well. Both of my children needed some busy work during a meeting and enjoyed using colored pencils on the mandalas. The book would make an excellent gift. I have several and highly recommend them.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.

Coloring Flower Mandalas

Coloring Flower Mandalas

30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation

Wendy Piersall

 

Remember the fun and relaxing time spend coloring as a child. It isn't just for children anymore. Drawing and coloring have been proven to reduce stress. If you need a few minutes to relax and let the stress of the day fall away, pick up this book and some pencils. The author has hand-drawn gorgeous flower mandalas that will help with mindful relaxation. 

The flower designs are intricate and beautiful. Each page is unique. I can definitely see why coloring is a stress reliever. The book would be an excellent thing to have on a long plane ride or to use while waiting for appointments. It would also make a wonderful gift for that hard to shop for person in your life.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.

Daily Zen Doodles

Daily Zen Doodles

365 Tangle Creations for Inspiration, Relaxation and Mindfulness

Meera Lee Patel

Studies have shown that drawing, coloring, and doodling relax your mind. They are great stress relievers. This small book provides one inspiration quote and doodle for each day of the year. The doodles have been started for you, but aren't finished so you can add your own creative style to the page. 

The concept behind this book is interesting. It does calm me to doodle and think while I'm drawing, so I'm sure that other people will enjoy this as well. The quotes are varied and thought provoking. The book is small enough to fit in your purse or briefcase so that you can pull it out whenever you have a few minutes to just chill. It would also make a great gift.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.

Coloring Animal Mandalas

Coloring Animal Mandalas

Wendy Piersall

Beautiful, intricate circles called mandalas fill each page.Mandalas have been used for meditation and relaxation for thousands of years. The act of coloring them is intended to help the individual relax and focus. Each page has a detailed animal or animals such as the one shown on the cover.

I had no idea what a mandalas was previous to picking up this book. I was in awe as soon as
I opened the first page. The detail is outstanding. My kids were begging to let them color a page. But I think I'm going to be selfish and keep the book for myself. I'm really looking forward to coloring in the pages. I can definitely see why it's used as a relaxation technique. This would make a perfect gift for any of your friends or family.

I received this book free of charge from Ulysses Press in exchange for my honest review.