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| Moodles - doodles that change your mood. |
What is a Moodle and why is there a series?
The Moodle books were written and illustrated by Emily Portnoi. She describes the books as:
"...a new concept in therapeutic doodling - fun doodle books for adults or children, with the power to change your mood" -- Emily Portnoi
Ms. Portnoi is a Designer, Art Director, and Illustrator. I think that her enjoyment of aesthetics and fun art is easy to see in the pages of her book.
Why I recommend the Moodle Stressed Volume
Since I admitted that this is a book that I would have leafed through then left behind on the bookstore shelf, why would I now recommend that very same book? I recommend it because one of my "kids" recommended it. And I watched as this young person "Moodled" into calmness.
There is nothing new about coloring, doodling, and fidgeting (keeping the hands busy while focusing on a task) as a means of relieving stress or anxiety. Ms. Portnoi writes that her books are a new concept in therapeutic doodling. I don't fully agree with that statement. Doodling/drawing is something that I've done with the kids I work with for just over two decades now (wow, time flies!). Some of the doodles in the Moodle book were very similar to things I've done with the kids over the years.
Are you still wondering why I recommend these books? I can see why you would be wondering that. Let me explain a little more.
- The size of the book is a handy size (approx. 6" x 7.8").
- The bold print of the illustrations is eye-catching and Ms. Portnoi's illustrations are fun and engaging.
- What is new about her books is the variety of activities. All of the suggested doodles are open-ended and can be as brief or detailed as the user chooses.
- The page corners are rounded and smooth
- The pages are thick and a slightly "slick" paper stock (I am not a publisher, so I am unsure of the correct terminology). Not too slick for pens and pencils, but not regular rough paper stock.
- The feel/texture of the pages were clearly pleasing to the youngster I was with while we colored in the book.
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| A few quick photos I took of some of the pages in the Stressed volume to show the variety of activities |
The book is suitable for pencils, pens, and colored pencils. I did note that my young friend was using markers and gel pens. Some of the most vibrant and "wet" ink markers/pens did slightly bleed through the pages while some of the gel pens did not.
While this book was not my cup of tea, it was clearly very enjoyable for this young person. The activity did in fact improve mood and release stress in a remarkably short period of time.
As we sat and colored, I realized that I should stock up on some of the books in this series. I think that the book series will be helpful for folks who need to calm, focus, release stress, and improve mood. In my mind, I created a list of some of the people I will recommend the book to - including folks on the Autism Spectrum and who have difficulties with symptoms of anxiety, impulsivity, and ADHD.
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| The Moodles series offered on Amazon - including Moodles Happy |
Related Link
I enjoy coloring and doodling and was recently reminded of the importance of carrying supplies with me. I prefer mandala style coloring pages and discovered these small on-the-go adult coloring books.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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