The short answer
Small Victories is the better first choice if your main goal is quick completion. Inklings is the better first choice if you want a newer compact Johanna Basford book with a cheerful mix of small motifs and single-page designs. Both books are source-verified as 80-page, 6 x 8 inch Penguin Life titles by Johanna Basford, so the decision is less about size and more about the kind of short-session coloring you want.
Sources were checked on July 30, 2026. This comparison is based on publisher facts and editorial interpretation. It is not a hands-on review. No physical paper, binding, or media testing has been recorded for either book in this editorial process.
Quick comparison table
| Factor | Small Victories | Inklings | Reader-fit takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher | Penguin Life | Penguin Life | Same publisher imprint. |
| Author | Johanna Basford | Johanna Basford | Same artist, so expect related inky illustration language. |
| Publication date | November 7, 2023 | March 3, 2026 | Inklings is newer. |
| Page count | 80 pages | 80 pages | No page-count advantage either way. |
| Dimensions | 6 x 8 inches | 6 x 8 inches | Both are compact. |
| Publisher framing | Pocket-sized, single-sitting pages, motifs and vignettes | Pocket-sized, floral motifs, fairy houses, cakes, butterflies, small illustrations, single-page designs | Small Victories is more completion-framed; Inklings is more motif-celebration-framed. |
| Best fit | Short breaks and completion momentum | Charming small designs and quick coloring fixes | Choose by motivation. |
Choose Small Victories if finishing matters
Publisher-verified facts: Penguin Random House lists Small Victories by Johanna Basford as an adult coloring book published by Penguin Life on November 7, 2023. The listed format is 80 pages and 6 x 8 inches. The publisher describes a pocket-sized book with multiple individual drawings, little vignettes, smaller motifs, and pages that can be completed in a single coloring session.
Editorial interpretation: Small Victories has the clearer promise for adults who want to finish something. That does not mean every page will be easy for every person, but the book's premise is built around shorter creative windows. If you often abandon large 10 x 10 inch pages, this is the more defensible first pick.
Who it is for: adults with limited time, commuters, busy parents, nightstand colorists, and Johanna Basford fans who want small wins instead of sprawling scenes.
Who should skip it: readers who want large immersive spreads, broad backgrounds, or a grand connected-world feeling.
Hands-on observation: none recorded.
Choose Inklings if charm and novelty matter
Publisher-verified facts: Penguin Random House lists Inklings by Johanna Basford as an 80-page Penguin Life paperback published on March 3, 2026, with dimensions of 6 x 8 inches. The publisher describes floral motifs, fairy houses, cakes, butterflies, dozens of small illustrations, and single-page designs for quick coloring.
Editorial interpretation: Inklings is the better choice when you already own Small Victories or when the subject list sounds more appealing than the completion-first framing. The motifs named by the publisher lean sweet, whimsical, and decorative. That can make the book feel giftable and easy to dip into.
Who it is for: Basford readers who want a newer compact title, adults who like charming decorative subjects, and colorists who want a light book for short breaks.
Who should skip it: readers who want a catalog-profiled book already evaluated by this site, or anyone who needs original sample-page notes before deciding.
Hands-on observation: none recorded.
Which is better for beginners?
Based on publisher descriptions alone, either book could suit a beginner who wants a small adult coloring book, but neither should be described as beginner-proof without hands-on page review. Smaller formats can reduce the intimidation of a blank page, yet tiny details may be harder for people with low patience, poor lighting, or imprecise tools.
For a true beginner, the safer decision is to choose the book whose subjects feel most inviting. If finishing one or two motifs is motivating, pick Small Victories. If flowers, fairy houses, cakes, and butterflies sound more fun, pick Inklings. Pair the book with colored pencils instead of wet markers until the paper has been tested.
Which is better for travel?
The format facts are tied: both are listed at 6 x 8 inches and 80 pages. For travel, the difference is psychological. Small Victories is more directly positioned around short, completeable coloring. Inklings is positioned around joyful small illustrations and quick fixes. If you will color on a plane, train, lunch break, or waiting room chair, either format is more practical than a large square book.
Use a small pencil case, a contained sharpener, and a protective sheet if you might use pens. Avoid liquid media when you do not have a flat surface, drying time, or a tested page.
What this comparison cannot claim yet
This comparison cannot say which book has better paper, which lies flatter, which handles colored pencils better, or which tolerates markers. Those require physical copies, evaluation notes, and original evidence. The current comparison can only defend identity, format, publisher, page count, publication date, and reader-fit interpretation from publisher descriptions.
Bottom line
Buy Small Victories first if you want a compact Johanna Basford book built around finishing small pieces in short sessions. Buy Inklings first if you want a newer pocket-size Basford book with charming motifs and quick single-page designs. The format is effectively tied; the better book is the one whose motivation fits your coloring habit.
Sources
- Penguin Random House, "Small Victories" by Johanna Basford, checked July 30, 2026: penguinrandomhouse.com
- Penguin Random House, "Inklings" by Johanna Basford, checked July 30, 2026: penguinrandomhouse.com
- Coloring Book Hub prior article library and catalog, checked July 30, 2026.