DK Super Cuties Colouring Books Review – Cosy Colouring for All Ages

Autumn-themed coloring page with leaves, acorns, chestnuts, and hedgehogs, surrounded by markers and crayons for kids' learning activities.

There’s something wonderfully relaxing about settling down with a colouring book, a favourite set of pens or pencils and a little time to yourself. Add a cosy blanket and a warm drink, and you’ve got the perfect way to spend a chilly autumn afternoon!

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We’ve been enjoying two absolutely delightful colouring books from DK’s Super Cuties collection, illustrated by Rosie Bay: A Cosy Autumn Colouring Book and A Cosy Bookshop Colouring Book.

Both are packed with charming illustrations, and I love how accessible they are. The designs are simple enough for complete beginners but offer plenty of opportunities for more experienced colourists to experiment with different techniques. Ignore the age suggestion – this books are suitable for all.

A high-angle view of a dense array of colorful marker caps arranged randomly, showcasing a variety of pastel and bright ink colors.

I’ve been using my Ohuhu alcohol markers to explore blending, layering and shading, and I’ve really enjoyed the experience. I have the Honolulu S which means you get a brush tip one and and a chisel tip that is ‘soft’ the other end.

Busy Busy Learning image featuring colorful children’s book covers with cute animal characters, a bookstore scene and autumn coloring themes for SEO.

DK kindly sent us copies of both colouring books with no obligation to review. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, our own.

Meet the DK Super Cuties Colouring Books

A Cosy Autumn Colouring Book

By Rosie Bay | Published by DK | RRP £9.99

If you love autumn, this book is full of wonderfully seasonal illustrations to enjoy. Think crunchy autumn leaves, cosy accessories, woodland-inspired designs and adorable animal characters enjoying the season.

The illustrations are sweet without being overly complicated, and there’s a lovely mix of scenes and individual objects to colour. I particularly enjoyed colouring the page featuring autumn leaves, acorns and conkers. It’s a brilliant example of how even simple illustrations can offer opportunities to experiment with colour and shading.

Colorful autumn-themed learning sticker sheet featuring leaves, acorns, a chestnut, and a green spiky leaf creature on white background.

A Cosy Bookshop Colouring Book

By Rosie Bay | Published by DK | RRP £9.99

This one is an absolute treat for book lovers! Which we totally are. It’s packed with charming bookish illustrations, from cosy reading scenes to bookshelves and decorative book-themed designs.

A cartoon worm wearing glasses sits on a large open book, reading intently with stacked books nearby in a simple line drawing.

There are some particularly sweet illustrations in this book. I love the little bookworm curled up reading on a stack of books, and the page featuring decorative bookmarks is another favourite.

Something I particularly like about the bookshop edition is the opportunity to add your own patterns and designs. Some of the larger areas are perfect for experimenting with stripes, dots, florals or other decorative details. You can follow the illustrations exactly as they are or use them as a starting point for your own creativity.

Illustration of a notebook with decorative bookmarks, paint tubes, stacked cups with arches, a plant stem and vertical lines, in a sketch style.

It’s a lovely way to make each finished page feel a little more personal.

What Makes These Colouring Books Special?

Sweet, Simple Designs for Different Abilities

One of my favourite things about these books is that nothing feels too intricate or overwhelming. The illustrations have lovely bold outlines, with plenty of space to colour.

For someone completely new to colouring, this makes them a really approachable starting point. You don’t need lots of experience or expensive materials to enjoy them. However, the simplicity doesn’t mean they’re only suitable for beginners.

More experienced colourists can explore blending, layering, shading, adding patterns and creating texture. I think that’s what makes these books so appealing. You can spend five minutes enjoying a little colouring or settle down for a much longer creative session.

Busy Busy Learning booksets on a wooden floor with colorful autumn leaves, featuring cut-out pages and activity scenes for children.

Lovely Thick Pages and a Postcard Surprise!

Another feature I particularly like is the quality of the pages. These aren’t the thin sheets you sometimes find in colouring books. The pages are made from lovely, substantial card with a smooth surface that feels wonderful to colour on.

Each page is also perforated, making it easy to tear out your finished artwork. And there’s an extra little surprise! The reverse of each colouring page has a postcard-style design, so you can share your finished creations with friends and family.

I think this is such a lovely idea. You could send someone a little piece of artwork, pop it into a letter or display your favourite finished illustrations. It’s worth noting that as is quite standard with alcohol markers they will show through onto the back.

Creative children's art activity with markers, color swatches, and autumn themed stickers for Busy Busy Learning, showcasing classroom art supplies and a cozy learning environment.

Can You Use Alcohol Markers in DK Super Cuties Colouring Books?

Yes! I’ve been experimenting with my Ohuhu alcohol markers in these books, and I’ve really enjoyed using them. The pages have a lovely smooth surface, and the generous spaces in the illustrations make them particularly enjoyable for exploring different colouring techniques.

I’ve been experimenting with building up depth, shape and shadow using blending and layering. For example, on my autumn colouring page, I used different shades of green to add depth to the acorns and leaves, while the warmer browns and oranges helped create that lovely autumnal feeling.

A vibrant assortment of marker caps in various colors and labels arranged in a dense cluster.

Do Alcohol Markers Bleed Through the Pages?

Yes, they definitely do! As you’d expect with alcohol markers, the ink bleeds through the card, even though the pages are lovely and thick. This isn’t something that put me off using them, but it is worth knowing before you start.

I simply placed a plastic folder between the pages to protect the next illustration, and this worked well. Alternatively, you could remove the page using the perforated edge before colouring.

Children's educational art activity with painting leaves and acorns in a notebook, markers and crayons nearby.

One thing to bear in mind is that using alcohol markers will also affect the postcard design on the reverse of your colouring page. If you’re planning to send your finished artwork as a postcard, you may prefer to use colouring pencils or other materials that don’t bleed through.

Busy Busy Learning image showing a colorful coloring book titled Super Cuties with a library storefront, cute animals and autumn leaves for kids, suitable for classroom use.

A Lovely Way to Experiment with Colouring Techniques

Something I’ve particularly enjoyed about these books is the freedom to experiment. I love trying different pens, pencils and colouring techniques, but sometimes the thought of having to draw something first can take away from the relaxing experience.

With a colouring book, that pressure disappears. The illustrations are already there, so you can concentrate entirely on exploring colour, blending, shading and adding your own creative touches.

You can experiment with different colour combinations, try out new materials or simply enjoy colouring without worrying about creating a drawing from scratch. For me, that’s a big part of the appeal. I also love that both my daughter and me can use the books together.

Who Would Enjoy the DK Super Cuties Colouring Books?

I think these books would appeal to a lovely range of people.

They’re particularly well suited to:

Complete beginners looking for approachable illustrations that aren’t too intricate.
Children who enjoy colouring and want something a little more substantial than a traditional colouring book.
Adults who love cosy colouring and relaxing creative activities.
Book lovers who would enjoy the charming illustrations in A Cosy Bookshop Colouring Book.
Creative explorers who want to practise blending, layering, shading or adding their own patterns and details.

They’d also make lovely little gifts, particularly when paired with a set of colouring pencils or pens.

Our Thoughts on the DK Super Cuties Colouring Books

I absolutely love these books! They’re charming, cosy and wonderfully relaxing to spend time with. The illustrations are sweet without being overly complicated, the pages feel substantial, and the perforated postcard-style design is a lovely extra feature.

I’ve particularly enjoyed using them to experiment with alcohol markers, and I love that the designs offer opportunities to build up shading and depth without feeling overwhelmed by tiny details. Whether you’re completely new to colouring or already enjoy exploring different art materials, there’s plenty to love about these books.

They’re just perfect for curling up under a blanket, getting comfortable and spending a little time unwinding creatively.

A wonderful pair of cosy colouring books that I’d happily recommend.