4.59

5

May 30, 2015

Are any of you old enough to remember DoodleArt? These were posters that you colored in with markers and if you were lucky, those markers lasted long enough to complete the entire poster. If you loved DoodleArt, then you will absolutely enjoy the Secret Garden Coloring book.

I purchased the French version of the Secret Garden coloring book because my local bookstore ran out of the English version and as an added bonus, I was told that the French version also had 2 posters to color. I'm not sure Are any of you old enough to remember DoodleArt? These were posters that you colored in with markers and if you were lucky, those markers lasted long enough to complete the entire poster. If you loved DoodleArt, then you will absolutely enjoy the Secret Garden Coloring book.

I purchased the French version of the Secret Garden coloring book because my local bookstore ran out of the English version and as an added bonus, I was told that the French version also had 2 posters to color. I'm not sure if the salesclerk told me that just to get me to buy the book, but it really doesn't matter what language this book is in - it is a coloring book for adults or really artistic and patient kids.

The pages are beautifully drawn and the book is a kind of treasure hunt where you look for things hidden in all of the doodles. There are even pages where you can finish the drawings yourself, so be creative.

Personally, I decided to use pencil crayons over markers because I found that pencil crayons come in many different shades of green and we had tons of them left over from when the kids were in elementary school.

The coloring is intricately detailed. The pages are whimsical and elicit thoughts of my own garden. Just the title page took me a little over an hour to color. It was a purely restful hour, one of those peaceful and relaxing moments that bring back memories of childhood.

If you are looking for a stress reliever, check out this coloring book.

Update - Summer 2015 - I gifted 2 copies of this book with a set of pencil crayons to my nieces ages 11 and 13 - both enjoyed the challenging of coloring the pages and looking for the hidden objects. So, the books aren't just for adults.

...more

0

Jan 11, 2016

This is a long review. Please, do not click on "show more" or navigate to the full review if you don't want to download a lot of pictures.

Everything started when my sister gave two books for coloring (this one and Enchanted Forest) BTW, she also has Lost Ocean and something about Mandalas).
Now I'm a proud member of the Crazy Cult Coloring (CCC) society.
She has created a monster.

See my works:
- This was my first one, the tree.

- the bouquet, just experimenting. I don't like it, really.

- the This is a long review. Please, do not click on "show more" or navigate to the full review if you don't want to download a lot of pictures.

Everything started when my sister gave two books for coloring (this one and Enchanted Forest) BTW, she also has Lost Ocean and something about Mandalas).
Now I'm a proud member of the Crazy Cult Coloring (CCC) society.
She has created a monster.

See my works:
- This was my first one, the tree.

- the bouquet, just experimenting. I don't like it, really.

- the garden after sunset: unfinished, but I do like it.

- the shades of blue CCC challenge: I like it when I don't have to choose colors :)

- experimenting with rainbows (Michael was my muse; I love the result)...

- new experimentation : I had to draw the flowers at the right. I still don't know if I'll color the flowers.


I have been doing some crappy uploads of pics in the status updates. I will try to delete them since Goodreads nowadays don't let me edit and fix them. Sorry in advance if by trying I deleted also the comments in them.

I'd love if you also checked others Cult Coloring members's amazing works:
-Alexa's Nature & Lost Ocean
-Cathy's Happy Mandalas
-Karen's Cats in Hats
-Alex's Enchanted Forest
-Michael's Lost Ocean.

All of them are different, lovely and pretty inspirational.

...more

5

Dec 22, 2015

Wonderful art! I love doing these while I listen to audiobooks. It lowers your blood pressure and stress levels. I also have chronic illnesses that cause me to suffer a lot of pain. While it doesn't take away the pain, my brain is focused the book and my hands are busy with fine motor skills and it takes my mind off the pain some. I love these books and of all the adult coloring books Johanna's are among the best. Wonderful creative outlet, not just to color, but also there are pages where you Wonderful art! I love doing these while I listen to audiobooks. It lowers your blood pressure and stress levels. I also have chronic illnesses that cause me to suffer a lot of pain. While it doesn't take away the pain, my brain is focused the book and my hands are busy with fine motor skills and it takes my mind off the pain some. I love these books and of all the adult coloring books Johanna's are among the best. Wonderful creative outlet, not just to color, but also there are pages where you can add your own designs as well. I am so glad I found these! ...more

4

Dec 26, 2015

More than just a coloring book with pictures and patterns, this is also an activity book where you search through the book to locate certain things and in other places, you are instructed what to draw to add to the picture. I can’t draw so that’s not a real plus for me.

With drawings on both the front and back of every page I’m guessing that a change has been made since this book was originally published. Each of the pages are roughly as heavy as construction paper, so when using colored pencils, More than just a coloring book with pictures and patterns, this is also an activity book where you search through the book to locate certain things and in other places, you are instructed what to draw to add to the picture. I can’t draw so that’s not a real plus for me.

With drawings on both the front and back of every page I’m guessing that a change has been made since this book was originally published. Each of the pages are roughly as heavy as construction paper, so when using colored pencils, your completed picture isn’t bleeding through to the back of the page and messing with that picture.

The drawings are both interesting and beautiful.

Got this as a Christmas present. Thank you!
...more

5

Jun 09, 2016

GOSH, I WISH GOODREADS GIVE ME BACK MY EARLY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK!!

So, back then when coloring book trend just started, I buy Secret Garden and review it with gusto. Then Goodreads decide that coloring book is "not a book", therefore removed Secret Garden together with my review! --"

And now they decide that coloring book is a book. I feel so annoyed! :(

Alright, so, I like coloring (even now I rarely do it) and Johanna Basford's coloring book is a blast! I like her illustration, so detail, so GOSH, I WISH GOODREADS GIVE ME BACK MY EARLY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK!!

So, back then when coloring book trend just started, I buy Secret Garden and review it with gusto. Then Goodreads decide that coloring book is "not a book", therefore removed Secret Garden together with my review! --"

And now they decide that coloring book is a book. I feel so annoyed! :(

Alright, so, I like coloring (even now I rarely do it) and Johanna Basford's coloring book is a blast! I like her illustration, so detail, so tricky, so full of wondrous delight!. I have all of her coloring books, included Enchanted Forest, Lost Ocean and the newest installation, Magical Jungle (still pre-ordered). My color pencil, pen and marker love her books too, like its owner ;3.

Please Goodreads, don't delete this review. I gettin' tired write it over and over -.-. ...more

4

Apr 12, 2016

This book kind of bothers me, because some of the pages have a lot of blank space and the author writes, like, "Fill the pond with fish, frogs and lilypads!" First of all, don't tell me what to do. Secondly, you forgot a comma. Thirdly, what the shit?! I bought this book to colour someone ELSE'S drawings, not to be forced to make my own. I can't draw, that's the whole point of colouring books! It's so I don't have to worry about it.

So not as good as Enchanted Forest, but not as bad as Lost This book kind of bothers me, because some of the pages have a lot of blank space and the author writes, like, "Fill the pond with fish, frogs and lilypads!" First of all, don't tell me what to do. Secondly, you forgot a comma. Thirdly, what the shit?! I bought this book to colour someone ELSE'S drawings, not to be forced to make my own. I can't draw, that's the whole point of colouring books! It's so I don't have to worry about it.

So not as good as Enchanted Forest, but not as bad as Lost Ocean. ...more

3

Dec 29, 2015

The details are amazing! It is so beautiful I am almost afraid of ruining it. It is however sad that there are writing on the drawings, but I get the purpose of them and in a way this does add to the feeling of it being a book just for me, and I love that.

5

Jul 10, 2016

This is a wonderful colouring book, with a little hunting game. Adult colouring took over the world and rightfully so. It's an interesting hobby and Johanna Basfords colouring books are a great starting point.

4

Dec 26, 2015

This book was so relaxing to colour in! I recommend it to anyone who wants to de-stress!
One thing that lowered the rating for me was the repetitiveness of some of the patterns, because sometimes I didn't feel like colouring leaves, yet that seemed to be the majority of this book! But I loved it none the less!!

5

Sep 11, 2015

I have the English version of this book, full of intricate and engrossing pictures. Absolutely love Johanna's books and would definitely recommend to all lover of colouring at any skill level.

5

Dec 24, 2015

What a beautiful book. Thanks to my mother for the gift. Really gorgeous and imaginative.

5

Oct 06, 2016

I'm still a hundred years away from finishing this beautiful book! Love Johanna's work <3

5

Sep 12, 2015

beautiful artworks.
the concept is actually easy to understand. colouring.
colouring the minute details, which require focus.
great activity to kill time, and boredom.
most of the time i just flipping through pages admiring the beautiful artworks and not so much colouring.

5

Dec 01, 2015

Well, what can I say that hasn't been said about this ultra-popular coloring book? Oh, this: it certainly gave me a wildly different, wildly better coloring experience than my first book of this kind: Under the sea by Mesdemoiselles.

5

Aug 28, 2017

I got this as a gift. I kept telling myself not to own this beautiful book because I want to create my own coloring books, not use them. But that's like saying I want to write bestselling novels, but not own any. And I was missing out!

5

Jul 26, 2017

This is a great adult coloring book. The author has Inc. hidden items in each design in it and another element to each coloring exercise to find the hidden item. The quality of paper and beautiful designs make this book a keeper. My only regret is that several Pages have words within the design requesting that the colorist draw in missing items. I lose interest in those pages. With the high level of quality that has gone into the printing of this book I wish each design had been print an This is a great adult coloring book. The author has Inc. hidden items in each design in it and another element to each coloring exercise to find the hidden item. The quality of paper and beautiful designs make this book a keeper. My only regret is that several Pages have words within the design requesting that the colorist draw in missing items. I lose interest in those pages. With the high level of quality that has gone into the printing of this book I wish each design had been print an individual pages because they would have made great keepsakes if other designs were not printed on the backside of the Page. ...more

5

Jan 25, 2019

I really enjoyed this book. The detail in the pages are incredible. I found when I was having a stressful day I'd take out the colored pencils and start coloring.

5

Apr 14, 2018

This colouring book is truly beautiful, so intricate in it's designs and artistic in so many ways, hours and hours of fun can be found here. I loved it!

5

Nov 02, 2019

Beautiful drawings to color. High quality paper. I very much enjoyed the entire book.

5

Dec 07, 2017

I love Johanna Bashford's coloring books. I received this one as a gift and have enjoyed coloring the beautiful pictures and finding all the hidden gems.

5

Dec 24, 2017

This was my first Johanna Basford coloring book and although I have more in my collection, this one is still my go to if I want to color something pretty.

5

Apr 10, 2016

It was inevitable - first came Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book then Lost Ocean (both still in process) and now the first book Secret Garden - His&Hers - yes I've roped hubby into joining the colouring mania [insert evil laugh here!] and we have sat of an evening noses in our respective books, glowering over the favoured pencil and the last drips from the cafetière.

We're enjoying. The gardens are as pleasing as the forests. The paper nice quality so you don't have to worry It was inevitable - first came Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book then Lost Ocean (both still in process) and now the first book Secret Garden - His&Hers - yes I've roped hubby into joining the colouring mania [insert evil laugh here!] and we have sat of an evening noses in our respective books, glowering over the favoured pencil and the last drips from the cafetière.

We're enjoying. The gardens are as pleasing as the forests. The paper nice quality so you don't have to worry about the reverse image being damaged when inking. I've bravely attempted water colour pencils to do background without any issue beyond lack of skill.

Fun seeing how differently we pick colours. Expected him to go psychedelic but hasn't so far. I'll update with some pics once we have some finished.

It's relaxing, the pictures are pretty and regardless of if you're carefully shading or boldly inking solids, the result leaves you feeling accomplished.

This book has a little writing on some pages and spaces you're instructed to draw yourself - mixed opinion on that - cynical me had hands on hips demanding why? I'm not the artist! but the rest of me is nervously flicking to those pages wondering how badly I'll mess them with my attempts, and if it's possible to disguise the intrusive writing with ink. We shall see. ...more

4

Sep 06, 2016

The review is from my blog. For a full review and video flip through, go to https://thecoloringaddict.com/2016/08...

So, mine is the 2013 print, it has thin shoddy paper reminiscent of copy paper, not even that really, it’s even worse imho, the 2015 edition that is currently being sold is a LOT better, that one has the familiar paper they use for all of Johanna’s books now. I’m not sure if the crap paper was the case with all the earlier ones or I was just spectacularly misfortunate. I hate the The review is from my blog. For a full review and video flip through, go to https://thecoloringaddict.com/2016/08...

So, mine is the 2013 print, it has thin shoddy paper reminiscent of copy paper, not even that really, it’s even worse imho, the 2015 edition that is currently being sold is a LOT better, that one has the familiar paper they use for all of Johanna’s books now. I’m not sure if the crap paper was the case with all the earlier ones or I was just spectacularly misfortunate. I hate the old paper so much that I’ve pretty much given up on the book. I should buy a new one but.. It feels a bit ridiculous to buy a book I already have, simply because the paper is so bad on the old one. The dilemma always makes me sad when I think about it so I’d rather not.
That said, the images are great. As you can see from my colorings here, these were my first colorings, they’re not all that great. But the entire book is beautiful and filled with breathtaking imagery. Johanna is so popular for a reason.
I also love the covers, the dust jacket hides a gorgeous brown cover with mooore to color.
Overall, who doesn’t love Johanna’s works? ...more

3

Oct 10, 2015

Its ok. I like that the pages are thick so I can use my gel pens and tge pages are off white or cream so you actually use white pens to color. The pictures are very beautiful.
now my gripes. Most of the pages have really small shapes and its a repetitive of tiny tiny shapes for me anyway its just not fun coloring teeny tiny shapes especially using my gel pens because they bleed a bit. Also not a big fan of blacken shapes i like them to be empty so i can color them in. Also I dont get why a page Its ok. I like that the pages are thick so I can use my gel pens and tge pages are off white or cream so you actually use white pens to color. The pictures are very beautiful.
now my gripes. Most of the pages have really small shapes and its a repetitive of tiny tiny shapes for me anyway its just not fun coloring teeny tiny shapes especially using my gel pens because they bleed a bit. Also not a big fan of blacken shapes i like them to be empty so i can color them in. Also I dont get why a page would not be completely drawn on some not all have a picture on it but mainly a blank page. ...more

5

Sep 26, 2016

This is a great adult coloring book! Usually it's hard for me to stay coloring one picture to its finish, but this book kept me captivated. The drawings are great, complex and simple and the same time. It was so much fun to have a treasure hunt AND coloring book all in one! I would recommend to anyone above age 7, not just adults! Small children may also enjoy coloring in small portions.