Book Review

The Art of Play: Ignite Your Imagination to Unlock Insight, Healing, and Joy

by Joan Stanford

When She Writes Press contacted me to do a book review, I did what most people do, I did a search to find out more about them. I liked what I saw and asked for more information. They sent me a press release about Joan Stanford and her new book The Art of Play: Ignite Your Imagination to Unlock Insight, Healing, and Joy. And to my delight her book arrived in the mail.

First I really enjoyed the message and tone of this book as it aligns perfectly with The Art Prescription philosophy. I told my husband, “this is like the book I’ve always wanted to write.” A book about the healing attributes of art with fun prompts to encourage creativity.

The Art of Play invites the reader to return to the childlike quality of seeing the world through our senses. Most important a sense of play. Joan reminds us to listen and pay attention to imagery throughout our day. “Allow yourself to reclaim that lost delight.”

Joan shares her personal journey of rediscovering the joy of making art and talks about ways to overcome our resistance. The book is full of Joan’s poetry and art. I found her images engaging with rich emotion, and her “Process Note,” honest and insightful.

Throughout the book you will find creative suggestions to jump start your muse. This book will resonate with everyone as Joan’s poems and works reflect universal themes of life, growth, fears, loss, and joy. The tips called “Playtime” lean towards art therapy in a way that appeals to anyone wishing to explore the therapeutic benefits of art.

Joan Stanford is a board-certified art therapist and full-time innkeeper who has been facilitating creativity groups for over twenty years, encouraging people of all ages, especially non-artists, to expand their awareness through playing with art materials.

I applaud Joan for bringing this book into print and hope my readers will pick up a copy.