Book
Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book
📖 Overview
Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book showcases intricate black and white illustrations ready for coloring. The designs are based on the Brodick Castle Gardens on the Isle of Arran, featuring hidden objects and small creatures throughout its pages.
Published in 2013 by Laurence King Publishing, the book became a global phenomenon with over 8 million copies sold worldwide. It has been translated into 40 languages and sparked the adult coloring book movement, leading to numerous similar publications in the following years.
The book represents a shift in how adults engage with art and relaxation. Its combination of detail-oriented illustration and interactive elements creates an experience that bridges meditation and creativity.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise the intricate illustrations, high-quality paper, and creative freedom the book provides. Many note it helps with anxiety and stress relief. The book functions as both art inspiration and mindful activity.
Likes:
- Paper thick enough to prevent bleed-through
- Hidden objects add engagement
- Detailed designs work with various coloring tools
- Both simple and complex patterns accommodate different skill levels
Dislikes:
- Some pages have images printed across the binding crease
- Hidden objects can be too small to color
- Paper shows some ghosting with markers
- Designs may be too detailed for those with vision/dexterity issues
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.7/5 (37,000+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.4/5 (8,700+ ratings)
"The paper quality and printing are excellent," notes one reviewer. "Perfect for colored pencils." Another mentions: "Great for relaxation but some areas are incredibly tiny and intricate - challenging for older eyes."
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🤔 Interesting facts
🌿 The Brodick Castle Gardens that inspired this book date back to the 13th century and feature an impressive collection of rare rhododendrons from the Himalayas.
🎨 Johanna Basford hand-drew every illustration using fine-tipped black pens, refusing to use digital tools, and each page took approximately 25-30 hours to complete.
📚 "Secret Garden" has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 40 languages, helping spark the modern adult coloring book revolution.
🌺 Before creating coloring books, Basford worked as a commercial illustrator designing wallpaper and wine labels, specializing in detailed black-and-white botanical drawings.
🖋️ The book contains nearly 226 hidden objects throughout its pages, including tiny creatures, keys, and other whimsical elements, making it both a coloring book and a sophisticated search-and-find activity.