Trace Then Color is a series of tracing and coloring books written and illustrated by cartoonist Kevin Coulston. Each book is built around one theme, from baby animals and dinosaurs to robots, aliens, monsters and funny faces. The idea is simple: trace first, color second.
How it works
- Find a character. Each page has one cartoon character, printed in dotted lines.
- Trace the dots. Your child follows the dotted lines with a pencil, crayon or marker. As they trace, the character appears.
- Color it in. Once the outline is traced, your child colors the character however they like.
The finished page looks like your child drew it, because in a real sense they did. They made every line.
Who it’s for
The series is made for ages 3 and up. Younger kids trace slowly and color loosely, which is exactly right. Older kids enjoy the more detailed characters, and some go on to add their own backgrounds and details.
It is especially good for:
- Kids who love coloring but are curious about drawing
- Kids who say "I can’t draw"
- Preschoolers building pencil control before writing
- Kids who get bored with plain coloring books
Why trace first?
Tracing adds a step that builds real skills. Following a dotted line takes focus and control. It practices the same movements kids will later use to draw shapes and write letters. And it gives kids a strong sense of ownership: the character only exists because they traced it. See why trace first and color second.
How is it different from a regular coloring book?
| Regular coloring book | Trace Then Color | |
|---|---|---|
| Outlines | Printed solid | Printed dotted for tracing |
| Skills | Coloring control | Line control plus coloring |
| Ownership | Coloring someone else’s drawing | Coloring a drawing they traced |
The guide tracing vs coloring has a longer comparison.
Which book to start with?
Choose a subject your child already loves:
- Round, friendly animals: Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Animals
- Dinosaur fans: Trace Then Color: Cartoon Dinosaurs
- Little robot fans: Trace Then Color: Baby Robots
Or browse all of them by theme.
Tips for the first pages
- Use a pencil or thin marker for tracing.
- Go slowly; wobbly lines are fine.
- Trace the big outline first, then the small details.
- Color with crayons, colored pencils or markers.
More in your child’s first traced character.
Questions parents ask
Do kids need to trace before coloring?
No rule says they must. Some kids skip straight to coloring, and that is fine. Tracing adds extra skill practice when they are ready.
What should my child trace with?
A pencil is easiest to correct; a thin marker gives a bold, satisfying line. See best tools for tracing.
Who makes Trace Then Color books?
Every book is written and illustrated by Kevin Coulston, a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
