The Development of Coloring Books: From Kids to Adults and Return

In recent times, grown-ups have turned to more youthful methods for stress relief: fidget cubes, slime, life simulator and sandbox games such as *Animal Crossing* or *Stardew Valley*, and, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, coloring books. While often focusing on abstract subjects like mathematics, these adult coloring books serve as nostalgic tokens of our youth—and the days when we confidently competed for the crayon box. However, what many may not realize is that coloring books were initially created for adults, long before they started targeting children.

Take the 17th century, for example; Michael Drayton’s 15,000-line poem, *Poly-Olbion*, featured illustrations of engraved maps of English counties, adorned with sea creatures, nymphs, and royal figures, along with other whimsical elements. These maps were presented in black-and-white, and, as noted by specialist mapseller Tim Bryars, hand-colored versions do exist from that era. Art historian Anne Louise Avery, who edited a reissued edition of *Poly-Olbion* for Unicorn Press, mirrored this idea, stating that it became “quite fashionable to hand-color [the book] yourself.” Furthermore, Henry Peacham’s *Compleat Gentleman* from 1634 discussed the potential advantages of coloring such maps, enabling aristocrats to refine artistic skills like movement control and color selection.

“I could wish you now and then, to exercise your Pensill in washing and colouring, which at your leasure you may in one fortnight easily learne to doe: for the practise of the hand, doth speedily instruct the mind, and strongly confirme the memorie beyond any thing else,” insisted Peacham.

By the 18th century, these texts became even clearer in their intentions, actively urging readers to hand-color the illustrations they contained. One notable book was Robert Sayer’s *The Florist* published in 1760, which included 60 engraved flower illustrations paired with detailed instructions on mixing colors and painting accurately. Importantly, Sayer specifically targeted the book for the “use & amusement of Gentlemen and Ladies Delighting in that Art,” highlighting how coloring was an endeavor meant to foster an aristocratic sensibility and intellect. Sayer’s *The Compleat Coloring-Book* resembles *The Florist*, yet covered a broader range of topics, including engravings of faces, animals, birds, and landscapes.

The perception that coloring in these books was a pastime of the elite largely stems from their cost and significance. Producing and printing these editions involved substantial investment and effort, as did maintaining an extensive library of art materials. It wasn’t until the 19th century, when lithography became widely used, that coloring books became more accessible, leading to an increase in titles aimed at younger audiences.

Often regarded as the inaugural coloring book for children, the *Little Folks’ Painting Book* debuted in 1879, featuring line drawings by Kate Greenaway and published by the McLoughlin Brothers. The book showcased whimsical illustrations of everything from mushrooms and princesses to farmhouses and walking tea kettles, closely associating each drawing with nursery rhymes, parables, and other fanciful tales. The McLoughlin Brothers produced several *Little Folks* coloring books, broadening the genre to a larger audience, even if they weren’t the first to print them. Today, of course, coloring books have once again revisited their origins, attracting not just children but adults as well.

For those interested in *Little Folks*, and in contrasting it with contemporary coloring books, the volume is available to view and download on the Internet Archive. The history of the coloring book is more surprising than one might assume—it was initially meant for aristocrats before later becoming popular among children.

Many view the *Little Folks’ Painting Book* as the first coloring book aimed at children, featuring illustrations by Kate Greenaway and published by the McLoughlin brothers. The *Little Folks’ Painting Book* helped popularize the genre, pairing playful illustrations with nursery rhymes and tales.