The first coloring book was invented in the 1880's by the McLoughlin Brothers and Kate Greenaway. The Little Folks' Painting Book appears to be the first of many coloring books produced by The McLoughlin Brothers.
According to Judith Maginnis Kuster of Minnesota State University, coloring books are just one form of materials that can be adapted for speech-language therapy.
According to Carolyn Harris, author of Tonsil Season, featured in The American Journal of Nursing, a coloring book proved useful in helping children deal with hospitalization and tonsillectomy.
Health professionals have used coloring books to help limit trauma, aid recovery and aid in the rehabilitation of patients. Coloring books have also been used to aid those with autism, teach about diseases like diabetes and help children cope with cancer.
Coloring books are one of the first mediums people use in art, but coloring books are not just for art class anymore. The Anatomy Coloring Book is just one educational coloring book available for graduate level students.