Disney Mystery Colorings Book - The Little Mermaid : Review

Quick facts

• Title: Disney Mystery Coloring - The Little Mermaid
• Illustrator: William Bal
• Publisher: Hachette Héros
• Coloring pages: 50
• Total pages: 112 (solutions included)
• Format: A4
• Printing: Single-sided (recto only)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Paper: Premium, thick
• Content: The Little Mermaid 1 and 2 (with Melody)

The big difference: single-sided printing

This is the most important feature of this volume, and it changes everything: the pages are printed on one side only. The back of every sheet is blank.

That's why there are only 50 coloring pages instead of 100 - same number of sheets, but only one face per page is used. In return, you can use any material without worrying about bleed-through, including alcohol markers that are normally off-limits in double-sided books.

This is a genuine advantage. If you have Copic markers or alcohol-based tools sitting in a drawer because you've been afraid to use them on your coloring books - this is the volume for you.

The scenes inside

The book covers both films: The Little Mermaid (1989) and The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea, with Melody. No 2023 live action - animated versions only. I personally prefer the first film, but the Melody scenes from the sequel are beautiful too.

My favorite scenes in this volume:

• Ariel signing the pact with Ursula - one of my favorite pages in the entire book. The colors are spectacular: Ursula's purples and pinks, the contract glowing in warm golden yellow, the magical warm light that fills the whole scene. Stunning once colored.
• Ariel about to kiss the Prince - just before transforming back into a mermaid near the end of the film. An emotionally charged scene.
• Ariel holding baby Melody - from the second film. Very soft and tender, a complete contrast to the action scenes of the first movie.

What tools to use?

In this volume, I used everything I own. My Caran d'Ache pencils, my Tooli Art markers, my Polychromos, my Prismacolor, and even my pastels. Not a calculated choice - I just love The Little Mermaid and wanted to give every page my best.

The single-sided printing makes all of this possible without a second thought. Whatever tool you pick up, the back of the sheet is blank - no risk of ruining anything.

The progress tracker

This volume includes a progress tracker at the end of the book: a grid with the number of every coloring page. When you finish a page, you check off its number. No need to flip through the whole book to see if you missed one.

I use it. It's not essential, but it's a handy little feature - especially on a book you don't color all in one go.

What I loved

• Single-sided printing: every material works, including alcohol markers
• Thick premium paper - real quality
• Well-chosen scenes spread across both films
• Vibrant palettes faithful to The Little Mermaid's universe
• The Ursula pact scene - absolutely spectacular once colored
• Progress tracker included

What to keep in mind

• Only 50 coloring pages (vs 100 in double-sided volumes) - the trade-off for single-sided printing
• Some white zones have lines running through them - keep an opaque white marker handy
• A varied palette is recommended - plan several shades per color
• No 2023 live action film - animated versions only

My final verdict

This is one of my favorite volumes, and it's not just because I love The Little Mermaid. It's a genuinely well-made book: beautiful scenes, beautiful colors, quality paper, and single-sided printing that opens the door to any material you want to use.

If you're a fan of the film, don't think twice. And if you have alcohol markers you've been afraid to use on your other coloring books, this is the perfect opportunity to bring them out.