5 Mystery Coloring Books Perfect for Beginners

Do you want to start mystery coloring but don't know which book to choose to begin with? You're not alone!

When you discover the many books available, it's easy to feel a little lost. Some books are filled with tiny squares, very fine details, and almost identical colors. They are magnificent once finished, but are not necessarily the most enjoyable for a first experience.

To start, it's better to choose a book that quickly makes you want to continue: pleasant illustrations, easy-to-follow color codes and, above all, a universe that you really love.

We have therefore selected 5 mystery coloring books suitable for beginners, with a preference for the great classics and Disney characters that you enjoy seeing appear under your markers.

Why is mystery coloring so popular?

The principle is simple: each page is composed of numbered zones and each number corresponds to a specific color.

At first, it is sometimes difficult to guess what the illustration hides. Then, as the colors are filled in, a face, a character or a scene slowly begins to appear.

It's this mix of coloring and surprise effect that makes the activity so addictive. You start a small area thinking you'll color for a few minutes, and very often, you want to continue until you discover the hidden character.

Mystery coloring is also an ideal activity for relaxation. There's no need to think about color combinations since the code is already indicated. Simply choose your markers, follow the numbers, and enjoy the moment.

How to choose your first mystery coloring book?

The best book to start with is not necessarily the one with the most impressive illustrations.

For a first experience, we advise you to look at:

• the size of the areas to color;
• the number of colors needed;
• the legibility of the numbers;
• the level of detail of the illustrations;
• the universe and characters offered.

Choosing a theme you love is particularly important. A mystery coloring can take several hours to complete. If you're eager to discover the hidden character, you'll naturally be more motivated to finish it.

1. Disney Mystery Colorings – Great Classics, Beginner's Special

Unsurprisingly, Great Classics – Beginner's Special comes in first place in our selection.

This book was specifically designed for people discovering mystery coloring. It allows you to find different Disney characters and films while gradually familiarizing yourself with numbered grids and color codes.

It is illustrated by William Bal and was published by Hachette Heroes in January 2025. Its large format also offers good comfort for coloring.

Why we recommend it

This book is reassuring for a first experience. You don't immediately encounter extremely complex compositions or hundreds of tiny areas.

It allows you to quietly learn to:

• spot the numbers;
• organize your colors;
• color contours neatly;
• understand how a palette works;
• choose the most suitable markers.

The presence of several Disney universes is also a real advantage. Each new page holds a different surprise, which prevents boredom.

Who is it suitable for?

This is the book we primarily recommend for people who have never done mystery coloring before.

It is also suitable for those who have already tried a more difficult book and wish to return to more accessible illustrations to rediscover the pleasure of coloring without pressure.

2. Great Classics – Beginner's Special, Volume 2

Did you like the first volume or do you simply want to discover another selection of characters? Volume 2 of Great Classics – Beginner's Special is an excellent option.

It features Ariel, Jasmine, Simba, and Robin Hood, as well as other characters from the Disney and Pixar universes. The publisher presents the grids and color codes as being suitable for everyone, whether you are just discovering mystery coloring or already have some experience.

Why we recommend it

This second volume continues the first: it allows you to progress without abruptly moving to a much more complex level.

It's also a good choice if the characters in this volume appeal to you more. You absolutely don't need to have finished the first volume to start this one.

The most important thing is to choose a book that really makes you want to open your marker box.

Who is it suitable for?

We recommend it to:

• true beginners;
• people who have already completed a few colorings;
• fans of classic Disney and Pixar;
• those looking for a varied selection rather than a book dedicated to a single film.

3. Disney Mystery Colorings – Princesses, Volume 1

Do you love fairy-tale worlds, colorful dresses, and Disney heroines? The first volume of Princesses should appeal to you.

This book gathers 100 mystery colorings dedicated to Disney's most iconic princesses. You can find Moana, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Mulan, Tiana, Pocahontas, Aurora, and Rapunzel, among others.

Why we recommend it

The advantage of this book is that it brings together very well-known characters. Even when the image remains mysterious, certain clues quickly begin to appear: a dress color, a hairstyle, an accessory, or an element of the decor.

This makes the progress particularly motivating.

The princess theme also allows you to work with many color families:

• pinks and purples;
• blues and turquoises;
• yellows and golds;
• greens;
• browns and skin tones.

It is therefore a good book to start getting to know your markers better and learn to differentiate several close shades.

Is it really suitable for beginners?

The book Princesses – Volume 1 is not exclusively designed for beginners. Some illustrations may therefore be more detailed than those in the "Beginner's Special" volumes.

This does not mean that it should be avoided when starting out.

We simply advise you to flip through the book and choose an illustration with fairly large areas first. There is no need to complete the drawings in order.

Start with the page that seems most enjoyable to you and save the more complex compositions for later.

4. Disney Mystery Colorings – Great Classics, Special Portraits

The book Great Classics – Special Portraits, illustrated by Jérémy Mariez and published by Hachette Heroes, offers a different approach from books composed mainly of large scenes.

Here, the focus is more on the characters and their faces.

Why we recommend it

Portraits are very satisfying to create, as the character gradually reveals themselves before your eyes.

You sometimes start with a few areas that don't seem to represent anything. Then a hairstyle, a gaze, an expression, or a characteristic detail appears. Little by little, the character becomes recognizable.

Having a central subject can also make the illustration easier to grasp than a scene containing several characters, a background, and numerous secondary elements.

Who is it suitable for?

This book is particularly suitable for people who enjoy:

• coloring faces and characters;
• seeing the image take shape quickly;
• rediscovering the heroes of classic Disney;
• working with details and nuances;
• varying palettes from one portrait to another.

Some pages may require a little more precision. To start, simply choose a portrait with sufficiently large areas and few very similar colors.

You can then gradually increase the difficulty.

5. Disney Mystery Colorings – Little Princesses

To conclude this selection, we have chosen Little Princesses, a book with a gentle and original universe.

Through 50 new illustrations by Alexandre Karam, we discover Disney princesses in their younger years, surrounded by their family and friends. Snow White, Aurora, Tiana, and Jasmine are among the characters featured in the book.

Why we recommend it

The universe of this book is soft, joyful and very endearing. The illustrations look less imposing than some complex large scenes, which can be reassuring when you are starting out.

The 50 grids also offer a more reasonable format than a book with 100 illustrations. You feel less like you have a mountain of pages to finish.

Of course, you are never obliged to completely finish one book before starting another. Coloring should remain a pleasure and not become a chore.

Who is it suitable for?

We particularly recommend it to:

• fans of Disney princesses;
• people who prefer gentle illustrations;
• beginners intimidated by very complex books;
• those who want a book of 50 colorings;
• colorists who love tender scenes.

Our ranking of the best books to start with

If we had to rank these five books solely by their accessibility, here's the order we would suggest:

1. Great Classics – Beginner's Special

The most obvious choice for a very first experience.

2. Great Classics – Beginner's Special, Volume 2

An excellent alternative to the first volume, with a new selection of characters.

3. Little Princesses

A gentle universe and a book of 50 illustrations that seems less intimidating.

4. Princesses – Volume 1

A magnificent book for princess fans, with some slightly more detailed pages.

5. Great Classics – Special Portraits

A good choice to start working on faces, nuances, and more precise areas.

This ranking is obviously subjective. Someone passionate about princesses might enjoy the Princesses volume more than a book officially designed for beginners.

The best choice is always the one that matches your tastes.