Colouring book fad catches on at Audreys

The long lost days of revelling in the details of an elaborate colouring book are back in vogue … for adults. Audreys Books is capitulating to the tidal wave by offering a night for grown-ups to channel their inner children. It’s set to host not one but two Colouring Parties next week and it will be bringing along some special guests to make it even livelier and more literary.

Audreys’ co-owner Sharon Budnarchuk said that the response was so overwhelming that a second event was necessary to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend.

“We can’t quite fit 98 people colouring in the store,” she admitted.

“That’s why we did a second night and told people to pick one. We’re pretty excited actually! We’ve never had that kind of response to anything we’ve ever done. Even big authors take a little time to sell out. This was overnight.”

The well-heeled bookstore has seen a dramatic rise in the number of mature readers purchasing colouring books for themselves over the last few years. Budnarchuk traces that interest back to illustrator Johanna Basford who released her colouring book Secret Garden two years ago. Aptly subtitled, “An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book,” it’s filled with wondrous and intricately drawn images.

Many readers have since spent many hours and many pens and pencils fleshing out the colours of those pictures as a form of meditation and relaxation. It’s still on Amazon’s bestseller list, which is where it sits along with several other adult colouring book titles in the top 20 spots.

“I think it was happening and a lot of booksellers didn’t know about it,” Budnarchuk noted, adding that they can barely keep Secret Garden in stock. “They’re constantly reprinting it. Constantly.”

Basford followed up that success with her recent release, Enchanted Forest, this time dubbing it, “An Inky Quest and Coloring Book.” It has become just as popular, solidifying the craze and marking it indelibly on the cultural landscape. Dover Publications, one of the genre’s biggest publishing houses, reportedly has sold more than three million such books.

Finding colouring as a form of art therapy and stress relief makes sense to Budnarchuk.

“Not everyone can be an artist and draw their own picture. This is a relaxing way to just enjoy yourself, think about a few things, and have a quiet moment. There are lots of moms at home that are doing this, and I can understand that.”

As a way of offering inspiration to the assembled masses, Audreys has lined up a slate of authors and illustrators who will do readings and presentations. That list includes Astrid Blodgett who will read through a new short story, something that she says is “about a woman who doesn't want to reveal her favourite colour to the new man in her life and how it drives him crazy trying to find out.”

Other presenters include authors Wendy McGrath, Laurel Deedrick-Mayne, Metro Libraries’ current regional writer in residence Gail Sidonie Sobat and illustrators Mike Boldt and Spyder Yardley-Jones.

Budnarchuk noted that they are people who will talk about art and creating but they’re not “overly esoteric.”

The colouring parties take place on Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. each night.

Attendance is free and everyone is welcome but showing up early is recommended as space is limited. It is all based on a first come, first served basis.

“My staff is so hyped up,” she said. “They can hardly wait!”

People can bring their own books but the store will be offering 10 per cent off its colouring books during the events. The parties are described as ‘bring your own pencils and markers’.

Audreys Books is located at 10702 Jasper Avenue in Edmonton. For more information, call 780-423-3487 or visit the store’s Facebook page.