Book series, movie series… coloring book series?
I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. Back when the books were still coming out, I was that person who would stand in line at midnight release parties to get my hands on the book before anyone else. I pretty much did not come out of my room until I was done reading. I laughed, I cried, I obsessed over my favorite characters so much that I dressed as them for Halloween. I even created my own fan website. I was that devoted.
When I found out that the Harry Potter books were going to be reincarnated as coloring books, I was pretty excited. With the popularity of adult coloring books right now, I knew that this would be bringing back some of the excitement that has been missing about the series since the books and movies ended. I included the book in my list of adult coloring books for book and movie fans.
Right now, it looks like Scholastic is intent on making this a series (YESSS). So far, four books have been planned. At the time of writing, one was just released, and three are scheduled throughout 2016. After the first one, they seem to center around themes — the first book seems to focus on the first book (with a few scenes from later books) and general “Harry Potter” themed pages. In January 2016 a “creatures” themed coloring book is coming out; in March, the next one will focus on magical places and characters, and the final one (for now!) is called “artifacts.”
Amazon categorizes them as “Children’s Drawing Books” but having seen the designs in the first book I think they are definitely for a more adult audience, or at least a patient teenager. There are many intricate details in the pages. If the first is one to judge by, they are printed on both sides of the page, which is a bit of a disappointment but not a dealbreaker, at least for me — my preferred medium is colored pencils (my favorite brand is Caran D’Ache). If you prefer markers, just make a scan and print yourself a copy on heavier paper.
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Amazon is my favorite place to buy coloring books, hands down. Not only do they have the best selection, but in general I have found that care is taken not to bang up or bend the coloring books I purchase from them. If you click through to most coloring books I link to on my blog (at least those that are released), you can see preview pages from the books, either by “Looking inside this book” or by scrolling down to the reviews. Also, where else can I also buy granola bars for my lunch next week at the same time?
Anyway… let’s get to the books!
The Official Harry Potter Coloring Book #1
It may not come as a surprise that the day this book was released it was already a #1 bestseller in its category.
The cover alone really gets me into full-on Harry Potter nostalgia mode. Look at that hippogriff! That Quidditch gear! Hedwig! Dobby!
I think an important thing to specify about these coloring books is that they really do follow in the tradition of the movies, not the books. They are not re-imaginings of the characters — they reproduce the likeness of the actors in the films, sometimes down to the exact shot.
I don’t think that’s a bad thing — in fact, had they not done it this way, would we necessarily have recognized every character in every scene? Also, it means that if you want to be really exact with it, you can revisit the movies and color the exact scene you see in this coloring book. There are even some frames and artwork from the movies in the back of the book to inspire you.
Scholastic likely got a variety of illustrators for this book; the styles are mixed throughout the book. Some designs stretch across a whole spread while others are confined to a single page. Some are repeating, tiled patterns, almost like a wallpaper. Some are scenes from the stories. Some are important motifs from the Potter universe, such as the house crests. It’s a really fun mix!
Here’s the description from Amazon:
From the heraldry of the four Hogwarts houses to the extravagant wares of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, the world of Harry Potter overflows with radiant color. Filled with intricate illustrations and elaborate designs used in the making of the Harry Potter films, this book invites you to imbue the wizarding world with color in your own explorations of Hogwarts Castle, the Forbidden Forest, and much more. You will also find pages of magical creatures and iconic scenes from the films, from the Sorting Ceremony in Harry’s first year, to the unforgettable final battle between Harry and Lord Voldemort, as well as some of the marvelous props used in the movies, such as The Quibbler, Quidditch World Cup posters, and the Triwizard Cup. Also includes sixteen pages of full-color art from the movies to inspire you as you draw.
Click here to add it to your Amazon cart!
The Official Harry Potter Coloring Book #2: Creatures
This book is available for preorder and will be released on January 26, 2016.
This second installment in Scholastic’s Harry Potter coloring book series puts its focus on the creatures of the Potter universe. What lies below the surface of the Great Lake, deep within the Forbidden Forest, or in Hagrid’s tender and loving (if misguided) care?
From dragons to merpeople, you’ll love reliving the Harry Potter books through the images you color of its creatures.
Here’s the description from Amazon:
This gorgeous coloring book is filled with detailed illustrations of the magical creatures from the Harry Potter films. From the ghostly blue merpeople to fiery red Fawkes, Dumbledore’s phoenix, the vibrant creatures of the wizarding world are yours to design and color. Featuring creatures found in the Forbidden Forest and the Great Lake, as well as those from Hogwarts itself, these minutely detailed drawings offer hours of creative and relaxing fun.
Click here to add it to your Amazon cart!
The Official Harry Potter Coloring Book #3: Magical Places & Characters
This book is available for preorder and will be released on March 29, 2016.
While the second book focuses on the creatures of the Wizarding World, the third focus on the people and places that make it tick. Get to know Hogwarts and its occupants inside and out with this coloring book.
Here’s the description from Amazon:
Explore the many places and characters of the Harry Potter films through the magic of color. From the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall at Hogwarts to the garish tones of the Dursley’s living room, this deluxe coloring book is filled with intricate images that bring fan-favorite wizarding locales to life. With pages of designs inspired by the characters themselves, this coloring book has something for every Harry Potter fan.
Click here to add it to your Amazon cart!
The Official Harry Potter Coloring Book #4: Artifacts
This book is available for preorder and will be released on June 28, 2016.
This book is devoted to all the “artifacts” of the Wizarding World, and I have to say, this might be the book I am most looking forward to. JK Rowling really succeeded in painting a vibrant picture of a bustling world full of the trappings of a fictional universe — in our minds, she brought to life Quidditch and Quaffles, Time Turners and Thunderbolts, Hogwarts and Horcruxes.
Now, we get to see these made up artifacts brought to life, and we can decide the colors.
Here’s the description from Amazon:
Featuring intricate line drawings inspired by the Harry Potter films, this stunning coloring book gives readers the opportunity to color their way through over eighty pages of detailed artifacts and props. From wands, potions bottles, and brooms to Voldemort’s Horcruxes and the enchanted textbooks and paintings of Hogwarts, the complex designs in this coloring book offer hours of relaxation and artistic fun. Quirky and imaginative, this incredible follow-up to the best-selling Harry Potter Coloring Book is the perfect gift for fans of all ages.
Click here to add it to your Amazon cart!
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