Customer Reviews

The Second Coloring Book for Big Girls: Spirits and Goddesses--10th Anniversary Edition

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I didn't think Ms. Rakusin could top the first book but much to my surprise she has. Not only is the intricate artwork outstanding and inviting, but the themes seem so universal, important, and inviting that I am compelled to pick up my crayons and play. How exciting to find art that encourages us to participate and grow. Isn't this the essence of what good art should be?

I bought Ms. Rakusin's second coloring book for holiday gifts for my friends, sister, and niece -- most as sequel gifts for the first Coloring Book for Big Girls I bought a couple of years ago.
I wrapped them up with a box of watercolor pencils, and still feel great about the choice. My friends color privately, as a way to enhance their own journaling. They take them on group campouts, pass them around at parties, as an ice-breaker for classes, and in the dorm room for everyone to contribute.

But this book is not for everyone. Those looking for more white space to color, need only buy a tablet of plain paper. To find "light" women with sensual curves, tiny waists, full yet sag-free breasts, and delicate features, they need only buy a Cosmo or Seventeen magazine. And Ms. Rakusin's coloring books would be wasted on those who are looking for such female images.

Like the first Coloring Book, this second one is a celebration of REAL women, SPIRITUAL women, and our legitimate boundless vision. Ms. Rakusin demands that we think beyond the media's perception of women's bodies in 2002. Her book is more than a coloring book -- it is an invitation to color outside the lines, and to add whatever we bring to the drawing. It is a rare opportunity to validate our perceptions. You can't help but want to sign it yourself and hang it up!
Most importantly, it is the perfect daily devotional. I can't wait until the third one!

Sudie Rakusin's coloring book does two things that I think are very important. First, she provides a creative outlet for adult womyn by presenting rich drawings to be enjoyed via crayon-therapy. Second of all, she captures a variety of body styles, moods, and charateristics through her depictions of spirits and goddesses, rather than presenting any one conventional or sterotypical female figure. Together, these drawings weave the rich tapestry that makes up the female gender--no matter how you spell it (women, wommin, or womyn).

I hate it when an artist doesn't trust anyone to color her creations. If you're going to color in all the parts you think "should" remain black, why are you making coloring books?

The pictures to color are good, but the paper is too thin if your coloring with pencils; the picture on the reverse side's colors will transfer onto the page opposite it. You have to put a sheet of paper between in order not to ruin the pictures already colored. I have colored other books where the paper is much thicker and this doesn't happen.

Loved this book! Sudie Rakusin once again has given a coloring book that heals the inner child! Loved the Goddesses and all their wisdom. I found it empowering and beautiful! I recommend it to all my girl friends!
I am looking forward to Sudie's next adventure! Thanks! DRV

If your a liberal spirit minded adult, and you love to color, treat yourself to a coloring book by Sudie Rakusin. I try to color almost every day, my inner child calls out for a time to color. It is like meditation for me. If you like to color, give her coloring books a try. I have ordered, and reordered, and filled every book. I have just ordered another set of her two coloring books, and I'm wishing there was a third book. They are very addicting.
coloring addict in Michigan

I found the art work in this book to be sub-standard and wish that I had seen it before purchasing. Total waste of money in my opinion, was purchased as a gift but will not give it to intended recipient. Thought about placing it in the thrift store bin but don't want to offend anyone. Perhaps I am not 'enlightened' enough, but seriously, I am not an artist and my personal drawings are very similar. I would be embarrased to ask for money if I were this 'author'. Will never buy from her again.

With all the shading and black areas in the coloring book, it is very difficult to actually 'color' much of anything.

Also, I am not crazy about the artist's style. Theoretically, I am all for the "Love and Accept the Body Nature Gives You" school of thought, and this book certainly portrays women (wimmin? wimmyn? womyn? Whatever!) who are not conventionally attractive. Me, I prefer secondary sexual characteristics in my wymmin. I like curves; bosoms and hips, graceful hands and feet, feminine faces.

The womyen and ghoddesses in this coloring book are all rather lumpy and mannish, with big square hands and big galumphing feet, and I don't care for them at all. Also, as I said, with all the shading, texturing, and black areas the artist has put in to the pictures, it is not very easy or satisfying to color what little *can* be colored in these unattractive pictures.