Adult colouring books big seller at Calgary art store

Chances are the last time you used a colouring bookyou didn't have a mortgage, a family or even a job.

But a new trend is emerging that has adultspicking up their pencil crayons and smelly markers once again.

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Adult colouring books are flying off the shelves at Mona Lisa Artists' Materials in Calgary and store managerJennifer Beegersays she sells at least 50 per week.

"Lots of people want to revert back to their childhood and their happy places, and colouring was one of those things for a lot of people," said Beeger.

"I think it's partly ameditationalor relaxation type of a thingbecause we're in such an instantaneous society. Bytaking the time and colouring, it just takes your mind off all of the pressing things that are right at your fingertips, literally."

Adult colouring books come in a variety of themesfromanimals to paisley designs.

They're also far more detailed than children's colouring books.

"Depends on how much patience you have," saidBeeger."You could spend hours doing one colouring [or]you could work a week on some of them."

While most of hercustomers colour withpencil crayons,she wouldn't be surprised if some decided to use crayons.

"Some people like the smell of crayons, it makes them thinkof elementary school," she said.

Scottish illustratorJohanna Basfordmade headlines recently because her colouring book,Secret Garden, hassold well over a million copies worldwide.