Single-sided coloring books for kids: why they matter and how to find one
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The short answer
A single-sided coloring book prints each picture on its own page with a blank back, so if a marker soaks through, it doesn't ruin the next picture. To check before you buy, look for "single-sided" in the description and check the inside preview for blank backs.
Checklist
- The description says "single-sided" or "one-sided" pages
- The inside preview shows a blank back behind each picture
- The page count is roughly double the number of pictures
- Pages are big enough to color comfortably (8.5 × 11 inches is common)
- Slip a scrap sheet behind the page when using very wet markers
Full disclosure: we publish the Wild Explorers coloring books, so we use them as examples below. Plenty of other publishers make good books too. Whatever you choose, the checklist works for any coloring book.
Single-sided vs. double-sided pages
| Single-sided | Double-sided | |
|---|---|---|
| Marker bleed-through | Only reaches a blank back | Can spoil the picture behind it |
| Cutting out finished pages | Easy, nothing lost on the back | Lose the picture on the back |
| Page count for the same pictures | About double | Fewer pages |
| Best for | Markers, gel pens, displaying art | Crayons and colored pencils |
Single-sided Wild Explorers books
All six published Wild Explorers books print their coloring pages single-sided, at $9.99 each.
| Book | Theme | Animals include |
|---|---|---|
| Animals of the World | 7 habitats around the world | lions, octopuses, sloths, koalas |
| Ocean Animals | 6 ocean zones | orcas, anglerfish, sea otters, puffins |
| Dinosaurs | Triassic to Cretaceous, plus sky and sea reptiles | Stegosaurus, Triceratops, T. rex, Pteranodon |
| Christmas Animals | North Pole to cozy pets | reindeer, cardinals, puppies, penguins |
| Birds of the World | 6 bird groups | macaws, shoebills, peacocks, barn owls |
| Rainforest & Jungle | 6 rainforest groups | tarsiers, glass frogs, okapis, tigers |
Frequently asked questions
Do markers bleed through coloring book pages?
Many markers, especially water-based and alcohol-based ones, can soak through standard paper. Single-sided pages make sure that doesn't ruin another picture.
How can I tell if a coloring book is single-sided?
Check the product description for "single-sided" or "one-sided," look at the inside preview for blank backs, and compare the page count to the number of pictures.
Are single-sided pages worth it for crayons?
Crayons rarely bleed, so it matters less. Single-sided pages still make it easy to tear out and display finished pictures.
Are Wild Explorers coloring pages single-sided?
Yes. Every coloring page in the six published Wild Explorers books is single-sided.
