Are you looking to purchase one of the best anatomy coloring books? If so, you’re in the right place, because this guide can help you do just that.
As I’m sure you know, studying anatomy and physiology can be boring at times. So the best way to avoid this problem is to infuse studying with a bit of fun.
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Our Top Recommended Anatomy Coloring Books:
Best Anatomy Coloring Books for Purchase:
This coloring book is one of the most sought-after and well-received by students and avid coloring fans alike for over 35 years. It’s organized in an easy-to-read, logical order of the anatomical systems to facilitate the learning process.
It has 384 pages and can be bought as a paperback, a spiral-bound version to prevent pages tearing out, or as an eBook.
This book is a great tool to help you understand the explanations, memorize the vocabulary, and learn how it’s spelling, all by learning via your sensory receptors.
Pros:
- Lets you color in the structure as well as its name
- Easy-to-read texts
- Clear pictures
- Guided coloring instructions
- Detailed and accurate descriptions, labels and drawings
Cons:
- Some drawings and texts are too small
- Some diagrams are missing correct labeling
- Paper is quite thin for markers
Netter’s anatomy coloring book should be part of every student and anatomy lover out there. This book is part of the Netter’s anatomy family of visual studying.
These highly admired and valued publishers have proven themselves capable of providing an educational coloring book that contains everything you need in a comprehensive anatomy coloring book.
Pros:
- Includes review questions and quizzes at the end of each section
- Easy to follow coloring guidelines
- Illustrations can be easily traced
- Includes ‘Clinical Notes’ which explain the function of anatomy with regards to medicine
Cons:
- Is a bit heavy
- Takes up quite a big space in your bag
- The paper is too thin for markers or they’ll bleed through
Of all the anatomy coloring books we’ve reviewed, Kaplan’s is the one with the most realistic illustrations. With over 450 illustrations, covering 352 pages, each of them is accompanied with clear, descriptive texts and terminology.
Each 2-page spread has a coloring guide to make understanding and studying the material easier. There’s a detailed explanation regarding physiological information on cells, tissues, muscles, organs, and body systems opposite each drawing. The main terminology in each section is placed in boldface.
Another unique feature of this coloring book is its 96 muscle illustrations on flashcards so you can easily take them with you.
Pros:
- Includes microscopic views of tissue membranes and cells
- Flashcards are convenient for studying on the go
- Sections are broken into smaller lessons for a more comprehensive approach
Cons:
- Paper is quite thin
- Some have reported that their book contains inaccurate terminology on certain illustrations
- Doesn’t include individual muscles
The Princeton Review offers invaluable studying techniques through coloring. The correlative process of coloring and studying at the same time guarantees a boost in your ability to focus and memorize terminology and concepts. It makes visual recall easier and faster.
The book contains 336 pages and 126 illustrations. Each illustration is thoroughly explained with the help of detailed descriptions of its structure, and its anatomical concept.
A great addition to this coloring book is its 2 appendices. One discusses injury, and the other is all about the different kinds of ailments.
Pros:
- Includes an introduction with terminology definitions for easy reference
- Coloring guide to facilitate studying
- Includes glossary at the end of frequently-used anatomical terms
Cons:
- The quality of paper is not as durable as other books
Coming in at #5 on our list is none other than the The Human Body Coloring Book.
This coloring book follows an interactive approach to learning the anatomy of the human body. It works in making memorizing the concepts and terminology easy and fun. It also makes it easy to later recall information.
It contains 256 pages of state-of-the-art illustrations.
Each section is divided into lessons of each system to present a fully detailed coverage of the entire human body, starting at the cells, going all the way to all the body systems.
Pros:
- Detailed illustrations
- Well-written, easy-to-read descriptions
- Comprehensive explanations
- Includes reviews and answer keys
Cons:
- Some labels are inaccurate
- Certain diagrams are outdated
- Doesn’t include coloring guide
With over 250 anatomical drawings, this coloring book is full of creative and fun learning techniques. It’s a great way to boost your understanding of the human body and retain all the information.
Its 256 pages include individual chapters for every body system. Additionally, there are separate chapters that deal with cells, tissues, and the senses. Each chapter contains interactive activities to review what you’ve learned. There are also case studies to link what you’ve studied with actual cases.
Pros:
- Comprehensive explanatory texts accompanying each illustration
- Detailed drawings
- Contains more drawings than other coloring books
Cons:
- Poor layout compared to other anatomy coloring books
- Some users found pages missing
Being the most expensive coloring book on this list, it’s also the largest with a whopping 416 pages. It also features many types of activities besides coloring and end-of-section reviews.
This coloring book offers crossword puzzles, matching and fill-in-the-blank exercises. There are also self-assessments and quizzes to boost your knowledge of anatomy and physiology. All these work together to provide you with an interactive, unique approach to learning through fun and engaging techniques.
Pros:
- Easy to read
- Well organized
- Different types of exercises to help you retain information
- Informational while being fun
Cons:
- Price is a bit high
- Not as much coloring as the name suggests
- Some drawings are too small
So now that you know all of the best anatomy coloring books, let’s discuss a little more about them and their top benefits.
What is an Anatomy Coloring Book?
The best anatomy coloring books are those that are divided into sections and subsections. This aims at organizing their content to help develop your understanding of each topic progressively.
The science behind anatomy coloring books is that through the coloring process, your subconscious is absorbing the vocabulary and explanations. This is known as long-term retention. They’re also a great tool to boost your memory and strengthen your study skills.
For example, it can suggest you color a certain structure in one color and its corresponding terminology in the same color. This is a great visual learning technique.
Why Adults Should Use Anatomy Coloring Books?
Coloring has always been part of our lives. As children, we used coloring as a way to express ourselves and let our creativity shine.
Now, as adults, we rarely find the time. However, studies show that coloring can help ease anxiety and decrease stress levels.
Nowadays, we live in a high-stress culture with levels of depression and nervous disorders soaring. Using coloring as a form of relaxation and as a means of bringing back feelings of well-being is crucial to our health.
Here are some more of the primary health benefits of coloring books:
- Steers your attention away from stress-inducing problems and disturbances
- Exercises both sides of the brain (the right side responsible for creativity and the left side responsible for concentration and focus)
- Stimulates creativity
- Allows you to practice mindfulness, similar to meditation
- Gives you an outlet to express yourself
- Encourages you to pay attention to detail
- Improves memory
- Used as a form of therapy for certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, epilepsy, and even some cases of cancer
Final Thoughts
Our review of the best anatomy coloring books found some of the finest learning tools ever published. These books are great learning tools for healthcare students. They’re also educational and fun for those who work in various other professions and, likewise, enjoy adult coloring books.
To get the best learning experience through the fun and interactive practice of coloring, then you should give The Princeton Review Anatomy Coloring Workbook a try. Its price is moderate, providing you with great quality for your money. Plus, it’s thorough, engaging, and provides extensive descriptions and diagrams.
If you’re looking to pay a little less, then why not try Netter’s Anatomy Coloring Book Updated Edition? The diagrams are clear and easy to read with explanatory texts, labels, and notes. A good number of illustrations are dissected. Others are magnified to provide an even stronger understanding of human anatomy, while giving your brain a colorful break.
Thank you so much for reading, and as always, breathe easy my friend.
Written by:
John Landry, BS, RRT
John Landry is a registered respiratory therapist from Memphis, TN, and has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier and live a healthier life.