This time of year, maybe it's the anticipation of mangling every gift-wrapped item, but I get excited about a hands on holiday. Perhaps it's because we carry more, cook more, put up more—put up with more—that I get a little giggly at the idea of myself as an elf in Santa's workshop—busy, busy, busy. True, in my vision, it's also a reality show in which the elf who finishes the most toys with grace and charm is crowned the winner. But, I digress.

Hands on, doesn't have to equal mad frenzy. Or a circular saw. Me? I like to colour. I like to sit down with a child—cue imaginary friend—and let rip. It's the perfect zen activity for someone who doesn't consider herself an artist. In Lynda Barry's book Picture This, she asks why it is that we don't consider colouring an art form when to sing another's work is still song. Is it all about the act of creation? Or is it about the impulse to use something other than words and language to express ourselves? And that a template is outlined for us has little to do with how we fill that space.

So, this holiday, when I have some time to myself, I'm going to take a colouring book to my favourite cafe, order myself the largest hot chocolate on the menu and bust out my crayons. How long do you think it will take before someone joins me . . . ?

Watch the below video to learn about the four books I'm getting handsy with this holiday.

While you're here, check out our Comics & Graphic Novels category for some great illustrated works. And get to know just some of the Canadian creators behind them:
Marta Chudolinska
Joe Ollmann
Pascal Girard
Olivier Martini
Chester Brown
Seth
Kate Beaton
Janice Nadeau
Line Gamache
Rebecca Kraatz
Julie Morstad