Press here by Herve Tullet

cover image

Allen and Unwin, 2010. ISBN 9781742375281.
(Age 2-6) Highly recommended. Wow! What a wonderful picture book. Press here is an original interactive book that is sure to have children clamouring to follow the simple instructions and work out what is happening on each page. The book begins by asking the reader to press on a yellow dot and turn the page. This makes a second dot appear. The reader keeps following instructions to press and rub the dots, tilt the page and tap the dots. All sorts of wonderful things happen to the dot when the book is manipulated. The book ends by asking if the reader wants to do it all over again, and I am certain that there will be a resounding yes to that question.
Reminiscent of touching on an iPad, this book is very interactive and will have lots of appeal to children who are obsessed with digital toys and those who haven't been exposed to them. It is equally as engaging as looking at a digital book and has the added bonus of the reader being able to feel and turn the pages. The joy of blowing, rubbing, shaking, clapping and tapping and seeing what happens is amazing. The book has a very sturdy cover and thick shiny pages so it is sure to stand up to lots of treatment by eager users.
It is an excellent book to stimulate the imagination and to have fun with. In addition, the very young reader will learn new vocabulary and have counting from 1 to 5 reinforced. The colours, red, yellow and blue are introduced as well as size and order.
This is a magical picture book, which is sure to win awards as well as lots of appreciation from its young readers.
Pat Pledger

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