When was the last time you sat down with a box of crayons and lost yourself inside a coloring book?

When I was a kid, Saturday afternoons often meant a trip into town with Momma to run errands. And, if we were lucky, we’d end up at Sterling Five and Dime. Before Walmart came to town, Sterling was the place for toys and candy. Honestly, it was almost impossible to not go into Sterling! The hot cashews and buttered popcorn lured in everyone milling around the courthouse square.

My sister and I always made a beeline for the coloring books. We’d flip through the new arrivals and admire the beautiful Barbies, too. Barbies were strictly a Santa Claus gift, but coloring books didn’t cost much, and Momma was occasionally willing to buy us one. Looking back, I realize she bought them for herself as much as for us. A new coloring book kept us happily occupied for hours while she cooked supper or did laundry.

Tom & Jerry. Barbie. Peanuts. The Wonderful World of Disney. Scooby Doo.

Television cartoons were reserved for Saturday mornings, but coloring books let us keep the fun going all week long.

And that box of 64 crayons with the sharpener in the back? My sister and I shared one and thought it was just about the most magical thing in the world—second only, perhaps, to a week at the lake.

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I still love to color!

What’s not to love?

Why Coloring Still Matters

According to Mayo Clinic, coloring is a simple yet effective way to nurture mindfulness, reduce stress, and let go of perfection. By focusing on colors and shapes, you anchor yourself in the present, calm your mind, and give your body a chance to relax—sometimes even improving sleep, easing anxiety, and boosting focus. Best of all, coloring isn’t about creating something perfect; it’s about enjoying the moment, free from judgment or competition.

We need this!

Imagine if everyone took thirty minutes a day to color. No phone scrolling. No television. Just a little time with crayons and paper. The world would feel calmer and maybe even be kinder because coloring promotes peace in the simplest way.

It’s a lovely thought, isn’t it?

Well, I think it’s totally doable!

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

To make the idea even more fun, I’ve created coloring books to accompany each of my novels. Each includes twenty illustrations printed on creamy paper reminiscent of vintage coloring books.

Take a look:

 

#1
The World of Gracie Lee Coloring Book

Step back into Gracie Lee’s childhood with whimsical illustrations
that capture the charm and nostalgia of Arkansas farm-girl life.
For real, don’t you miss Boon Chapel?

#2

Adventures with Bernice Coloring Book

From small-town charm to runaway shenanigans, this coloring book
lets you color your way through Bernice’s big adventure.
Possum pie. The laundry fiasco. John Marvel. Relive all the fun inside
these pages!

#3

The Nature of Theo Gruene Coloring Book

Bring Theo Gruene’s story to life with twenty of the plants and animals
from the book, including their scientific names!
Coloring + Nature = Bliss.

How about a coloring party? Wouldn’t that be fun!?

As always, my books are available on Amazon and through my website store. (FYI: Until I receive my inventory, which is on order, you’ll receive them faster through Amazon.)

Need Crayons?

Can’t you just look at this picture and inhale the nostalgic wax aroma?

Treat yourself to a brand new 64-pack (the one with the sharpener in back!) by clicking HERE.

One More Thing

I recently bought a 24-pack of Crayola Colors of the World pencils, and they are fantastic. Remember how, back in the day, shading in skin tones was impossible? These pencils fix that problem beautifully. Now there’s a perfect shade for each character in my coloring books, and they will be handy for phenology journaling too. Fun and much needed! Get yourself a set [HERE] and you’ll be all ready to color.

💙 💚 💛

So, what do you think? Could coloring really nudge the world in a more positive direction? I believe it can—and my book-themed coloring books are a cheerful place to start.

Happy coloring,

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.