The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride Review – Is This the Right Coloring Book for You?

Quick Verdict

The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride is a coloring book that quietly surprised me. I expected another generic illustrated collection, but the moment I opened it on a slow Sunday afternoon, the whimsy of the line work pulled me in. The interconnected story of Mr. Murray McBride and his wishes gives each page a purpose beyond simple decoration. If you're looking for a coloring book that tells a visual story while you color, this one is worth considering. I'd rate it a solid 4.3 out of 5 — it earns that score through charm and consistent quality rather than flashy features.

What Is The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride?

At its core, this is a coloring book built around a quiet, contemplative narrative. The character Mr. Murray McBride appears throughout the illustrations, and each of his five wishes unfolds across different spreads. The concept isn't revolutionary, but the execution feels deliberate — the artist clearly thought about how the story and images would interact on the page.

The book doesn't try to be a novel or a pure activity book. Instead, it occupies that satisfying middle ground where the act of coloring becomes part of the storytelling experience. Each illustration hints at what Mr. McBride wishes for, and coloring in those hints adds a layer of personal investment that standard coloring books lack.

Key Features

• Story-driven illustrations centered on Mr. Murray McBride's five wishes
• Single-sided pages to prevent bleed-through with wet media
• Detailed line art suitable for colored pencils, gel pens, and markers
• Standard US letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) for comfortable coloring
• Whimsical artistic style with varied page layouts
• Softcover binding with lay-flat ambition

Hands-On Review

I grabbed my Prismacolor set and a cup of coffee, then spent a couple of evenings working through roughly thirty pages. What struck me first was the line weight — the outlines are dark enough to guide your coloring without being so heavy that they dominate the finished piece. There's a fine balance there, and this book walks it well.

By the second evening, I'd found my rhythm. Pages with smaller, intricate details demanded patience and a light hand; larger spread designs let me experiment with gradients and color blending. The variety kept things interesting. I won't pretend every page is a winner — a few designs felt overly busy, almost cluttered — but the ratio was better than most coloring books I've tried.

What surprised me was how the narrative thread affected my coloring choices. When a page depicted Mr. McBride's wish for companionship, I instinctively reached for warmer tones. When loneliness appeared in the imagery, cooler blues crept in. That's a subtle thing, but it made the experience feel less mechanical. Will I keep using it? Honestly, yes — but I'll probably skip the busier pages on future sessions.

The paper handled my colored pencils without complaint. Gel pens glided smoothly. I tested one page with a brush marker just to check, and while there was slight warping, the single-sided printing meant no bleed-through to the back. That's a practical win if you prefer working with markers.

Who Should Buy It?

Buy this if you enjoy coloring books with a narrative hook. The whimsy appeals to creative adults and older teens who want something with personality rather than endless geometric patterns.

Buy this if you prefer intricate, detailed line art over simple shapes. The complexity rewards attention.

Buy this if you give coloring books as gifts. The charming concept and quality presentation make it memorable compared to generic alternatives.

Skip this if you want quick, simple designs for stress-free coloring. Some pages demand real focus.

Skip this if you primarily use heavy watercolor techniques. The paper handles light washes fine, but aggressive wet media will cause buckling.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If the story-driven approach appeals but you want simpler designs, Secret Garden by Johanna Basford offers immersive illustrations with a more meditative pace and less visual density.

For readers who prefer a wider variety of illustration styles in one volume, Color Quest provides a broader mix of subject matter with intricate negative-space designs that challenge your color choices differently.

Those who want a more robust spiral binding might consider Anti-Stress Coloring books from Flame Tree Publishing, which use lay-flat binding specifically designed for hands-free coloring.

FAQ

Final Verdict

The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride earns its place on the shelf by offering something genuinely different — a coloring book that tells a story while you color. The line work is consistently good, the paper quality supports most mediums, and the whimsical tone keeps the experience lighthearted rather than clinical. It's not perfect: a few pages overcomplicate their designs, and the binding could be more accommodating. But those are minor complaints against an otherwise well-crafted product. If you're in the market for a coloring book with personality, this one delivers.