Press Here by Hervé Tullet- Reading level: Ages 2 and up
- Hardcover: 56 pages
- Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 30, 2011)
- ISBN-13: 978-0811879545
Back-of-the-book blurb: Press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! Especially remarkable because the adventure occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page, this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages!
She Is Too Fond of Books‘ thoughts: ”It’s not magic . . . It’s the power of your imagination!” states the tagline on the book trailer for Press Here (video at bottom of this post). It’s true – no batteries required, no electronic sounds of ray guns (or angry birds) to entertain your child (and test your patience) … just good old fashioned fun with an unseen narrator who instructs the reader to “Press here and turn the page …”
The early reader (or child being read to) will soon be clapping, shaking, counting, discerning colors, and manipulating the book to the right, the left, and back again. In response, the colored dots on the page line up according to color, multiply, shimmy to the left and right, and grow larger and larger, filling the page as the child follows instructions and turns the pages.
Of course the dots aren’t really moving, and any sound you hear is the giggling and clapping of children and the turning of pages.
Illustrations are as simple as can be – painted dots. You can see the outlines and brushstrokes; no computer-aided design here. The pages are thicker than a typical picture book (they stand up to excited page-turning), and the cover is that of a board book (no paper jacket). The compact size (about 8 1/2 inches square) make it comfortable for a young reader to hold on his own.
Our First Grade son would rather read this on his own than have it read to him (he wants to be in control of the dot pushing and page turning) and I’m thrilled that he is able to do that! However, his independent reading/writing has reached the point where he’s transitioning from all caps to a combination of upper- and lower-case letters. Press Here was designed to be read aloud to a non-reader — all the text is in capital letters; this doesn’t keep us from enjoying the book, but we’re not the target market for it.
The bottom line – ideal as a read-aloud for the non-reading set; they’ll have it memorized and be “reading” it and following the bouncing dots in no time!
One of our favorites of the year. My kids had fun making their own “Press Here” books!
Brilliant idea! Making our own PRESS HERE books will be a super snowy-day activity this winter … thanks for the suggestion!
hey, I pressed the dot on my computer screen and nothing happen!
I got the chance to look over this book in person, and loved it! I don’t have any kids at the right age for this one, but I am thinking about buying it and putting it away for my niece. I know she will love it when she is old enough to enjoy it. Great review! I am glad your son enjoyed it!
This sounds like a fun book. Maybe the little one would like it.
I’ll have to remember this the next time I need a shower gift for a big sister or brother! It looks like a lot of fun.
We’re definitely the non-reading set here and I’m headed to B&N soon. Thanks for the recommendation!
I saw this book in the publisher’s newletter and was amazing. I don’t have children or even a child in the family to give it to, but I wish I did. I could then borrow it and have a blast. Nice review!
I picked this one up for my niece for Christmas. She’s a little young, but it’s so doggone cute.