Press Here by Hervé Tullet is pure picture-book genius. It is interactive and engaging and yet so creatively simple. The first page greets you with a dot...a single yellow dot and the instructions, "Press here and turn the page." As the reader turns each page and follows each new set of directions, the dot changes in an unexpected way. Both my preschooler and 18-month old were totally drawn in right from the start. I think it made them feel powerful, as if they were the ones controlling what was happening in the book. It was a bit magical to watch their faces light up at each page turn.
Press Here is also surprisingly educational. It is obviously great for teaching kids to follow directions but additionally introduces concepts such as patterns, right vs left, and color mixing. While it perfect for a parent-child read-aloud and discussion, it unfortunately isn't ideal for reading to large groups (unless you had a copy for each child). It is definitely a hands-on kind of book!
In summary, Press Here was a delightful change from the usual picture story book, and I was excited to learn that there are two similar interactive kids' books by Hervé Tullet: Mix it Up! and Let's Play! We will definitely be looking for these at our next trip to the library!
