The Best Coloring Books

January 5, 2009 · 20 Comments

Someone left me a comment asking what are my favorite coloring books. Actually until I had my princess loving daughter I was never a big fan of coloring books and my two boys never really used or seemed to enjoy them. I always felt a plain piece of paper was the way to go, but my four year old loves plain old fashion coloring books—the more princesses the better. So for her I have scummed.

For older children my favorite coloring books are a series of clever books by Susan Striker, The Anti-Coloring Book: Creative Activities for Ages 6 and Up

The pages of these books are filled with open ended questions to get a child thinking and creating!

Often times a blank page is intimidating for a child. These books provide a nice prompt for getting the imagination flowing! You may try some free sample pages of Susan Striker’s books here.

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20 Responses to “The Best Coloring Books”

#1 Nicole January 5, 2009, 5:05 pm

What a great book! I’ll be getting that one for sure!
#2 Letti January 5, 2009, 5:51 pm

I love these coloring books. I love that it makes your child use their imagination and they have to think too.
#3 Holly January 5, 2009, 6:28 pm

Along the same lines, Taro Gomi has a series of “coloring” books that prompt imaginative thinking and creativity. And they’re huge! Doodles, Squiggles, and Scribbles are the ones with which I am familiar.
#4 Melissa January 5, 2009, 6:47 pm

LOVE IT!
#5 Tere January 5, 2009, 6:57 pm

nice, thanks for sharing
#6 misschris January 5, 2009, 7:16 pm

Terrific! Thanks so much…
#7 Eleanor January 5, 2009, 7:23 pm

Hello there
I had one of these when my eldest was young, (he’s now 20) and he, and in turn my daughter and younger son all enjoyed it (I had the (unusual for me in those days, oh the things I’ve learnt) foresight to photocopy it the first time around, and so still have most of the pages of the original, including the one referring to the year 2001 as if it is way in the future, much to my youngest’s amusement).

Another which has been a hit, as in fact all Klutz books are, is The Only Coloring, Puzzle, Game, Dot-to Dot Activity Book You’ll Ever Need.

I am enjoying your blog.
Happy New Year.
E
xx
#8 Julie January 5, 2009, 7:27 pm

I haven’t seen this coloring book. I’ll have to print off some sample pages and try them with my kids. Looks wonderful!
#9 pam January 5, 2009, 8:19 pm

I’ve never seen these before, how fun
#10 Arlene January 5, 2009, 8:34 pm

Great tip…will be getting some of those for the Grandma stash. I love them.
#11 Emma January 5, 2009, 9:24 pm

What an awesome Idea. I have always hated coloring books and have preferred just paper. This is a great find!
#12 Vanessa January 5, 2009, 9:29 pm

this is great, I think a blank page can be intimidating for an adult! I almost want to get one of these for myself to prompt me to ‘color’

fantastic! thanks for sharing.
#13 Elizabeth January 5, 2009, 11:07 pm

I love the anti-coloring book series to use w/ my middle school students! They also love the intricate designs of the stained glass window books.
#14 Katie R January 6, 2009, 12:15 am

TOO COOL! Thank you so much for the suggestion! I always look for unique coloring books, since I loved them so much as a child, but my daughter definitely likes to do her own thing — these books are right up her alley!
#15 Robyn Haas January 6, 2009, 1:14 am

great book! Love it! Thanks for the idea for my nephew! Happy new year too!
#16 Melissa Gutierrez January 6, 2009, 2:51 am

This is really cool. Thank you so much for recommendation. I just got a new box of crayons and can’t wait to get started!
#17 Heather January 6, 2009, 3:05 pm

I have these!! They are wonderful. Used to use them in my classroom when I taught — kids loved them.
#18 Mindy January 6, 2009, 10:45 pm

Love this idea. So much more fun and creative!
#19 Amber January 12, 2009, 3:20 am

Brilliant! I have a bug who does love to colour-in but also does his own unique creations so I’m not too worried about him colouring-in as long its a quality design – these look great. I have also liked the look of these http://www.rosieflo.co.uk/

Something I will do if Hug-bug wants to colour-in is do a quick google search for *mandalas*. You can find some great ones online for free & it’s a kinda spiritual experience
#20 Family Friday: Best Activity Books « August 14, 2009, 7:02 am

[...] Photos of the Anti-Coloring book courtesy of Skip to My Lou. [...]

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The Best Coloring Books

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20 Responses to “The Best Coloring Books”

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