The Subversive History of Adult Coloring Books

On the Media | Mar 2, 2016

Three of Amazon’s top 10 bestselling books of 2015 were coloring books for grown-ups. Together, Johanna Basford's Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest coloring books have sold more than 13 million copies worldwide. It's not the first time adult coloring books have captured the nation's attention. In 1962, sales of adult coloring books reached $1 million, topping the New York Times bestseller list and inspiring Barbra Streisand to release a song titled "My Coloring Book."

But while today’s coloring books are marketed as therapeutic outlets for creativity, the coloring books of the 1960s were decidedly more subversive. New Republic associate editor Laura Marsh talks with Brooke about her recent deep dive into the political history of adult coloring books.

Mort Drucker’s JFK Coloring Book spent 14 weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list in 1962.
(Mythili Rao/WNYC)

 

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