Adult colouring books are incredibly popular in the UK at the moment. One book or another will sometimes top the Amazon chart for weeks on end, and even if an adult colouring book isn’t taking the first-place spot, one won’t be far behind. I can’t remember a single day this year when the Amazon top 100 list wasn’t awash with adult colouring books.
It was an eye-opener to us that colouring books, even though traditionally for children, can really be objects of beauty that will appeal to anyone who loves gorgeously produced books. Many adults are drawn to especially beautiful children’s picture books and I feel this is the next level of that. Since then it’s just been a whirlwind and very exciting to be a part of.
Why have they become so popular?
The main thing I hear is how relaxing and stress-relieving colouring in is. I think that is the real heart of the matter in terms of their popularity. Many people find it very difficult to relax – they might sit down in front of the TV after work with their iPads in their lap and their smart phones in their hands, but their brains are on overload all the time and they never switch off.
What’s great about colouring in is the way it forces your mind to slow down and focus on just one thing. And what’s important about this type of focusing is that it is not mentally taxing. It’s simple but absorbing all at the same time. And if you aren’t colouring alone, it’s great to chat to others who are doing it with you.
Coupled with that, I think readers love that they can easily be creative when they might ordinarily assume that they’re not. They can be proud of producing something artistic, either privately or out loud. The majority of titles out there are also gorgeous books to own – many are covered in colourful foils and bright neons with high-quality covers, so if you like a beautifully produced book, they’ll be really appealing.
I think a large proportion of customers tend to be females aged 15-30, though I don’t think that’s indicative of the kind of person that will enjoy them. They are produced for adults of all ages and genders. Many are also purchased for children who really like a challenge.
How effective are colouring books as a therapeutic tool?
It is commonly said that there is a crossover with mindfulness and also with meditation, in that colouring is an activity in which the brain is engaged just enough to inhibit circular, anxious thinking, but not so much that it’s draining. There has also been some indication from reviewers that those who struggle with dexterity in their hands find it physically beneficial.
I can’t comment on the findings of scientific or academic research. More research needs to be conducted into the health benefits, as I believe right now it is very anecdotal. While that’s encouraging, for colouring books to be introduced as a professionally recommended therapy, publishers would first need to start collaborating more closely with health professionals.
You can read a little more about this issue here:
Tips for libraries
Many colouring in fans have started colouring groups, so naturally it would be beneficial for both the group and the venue to have a public space in which to do this. They have the added bonus of bringing certain people in the community together, particularly seniors who may need more social opportunities.
Libraries could also extend this to groups aimed at parents who want to colour in with their children, or perhaps to adults who want more of an artistic angle and want to learn colouring techniques. Adding to that, a library could host a colouring in competition, perhaps with the opportunity to display pieces. In an academic setting, they could even be used to teach students about anatomy!
Judging by the increase in blogs and articles on this topic, there are a growing number of libraries trying this out. It makes sense to learn from their experience too:
The future
In our experience, the popularity of adult colouring is certainly unique to printed rather than ebooks. To colour in digitally, you need an interactive programme, such as an app. While there are plenty of colouring apps on the market that are fun and doing very well, I don’t think the digital versions offer the pleasingly tactile element of a physical book. And you don’t get to use all the fantastic colouring pens and pencils that the customers seem to love so much. It might also be the case that a digital version would have an impact on any therapeutic benefit of ‘screen down-time’.
We know the majority of these books on the market are of high quality and have been well thought out, but that still doesn’t mean we aren’t surprised that the popularity has continued for as long as it has. Many crazes of this type typically don’t last more than a year, but we have surpassed that with little sign that it is tailing off. The challenge for us is to keep thinking of new and innovative ideas for content that will keep fans interested.
I suspect, like anything that is in fashion, the current heights of the colouring craze will pass. Will it still be just as popular in 10 years’ time? Probably not, but colouring in for adults is certain to have gained many loyal fans who will be buying books long into the future.
Image credit: @OMaraBooks
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