Until a few years ago, coloring was for kids. Then adults discovered that it was a wonderful, meditative spiritual practice which required little preparation or equipment. Now there has been a profusion of adult coloring books featuring everything from animals to mandalas. You may think there’s no need for another adult coloring book, but I recently received a review copy of Coloring Women of the Bible from Chalice Press and I have to tell you that this one is different. How many coloring books have “A Theological Introduction” which rails against the implied sexual caste system in traditional readings of scripture and Christian practice?

In Coloring Women of the Bible, the 50 illustrations of women from the Bible by Natalie Turri are accompanied by a short scripture synopsis and commentary from a feminist viewpoint by author Christopher Rodkey. Some of the women included are not those typically found in a Women of the Bible list such as Job’s wife, the witch of Endor, and the women of the Apocalypse.

Coloring Women of the Bible would be an excellent resource for personal reflection, women’s groups, retreats, and even intergenerational programs. A 52-page reflection guide called Dreaming in Color is available as a free download. The guide suggests four ways it can be used: for small group coloring and discussion groups, a retreat, individual use, and creating domestic and sexual violence awareness in the Church. There are also suggestions in the reflection guide for musical selections, liturgical and theological resources, and resources on domestic and sexual violence awareness.

The book is available from Chalice Press; the list price is $14.99 but it is discounted depending on the number of copies ordered. There are also discounted kits of 5 or 10 books. If you’d like to check the book out before purchasing, a preview of the book with a few sample coloring pages is available to download. You can also purchase the book on Amazon for $14.02.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.