Watermark Books and Cafe

“Press Here” by Hervé Tullet (Chronicle Books, ISBN 9780811879545, $14.99) 

"Press Here." 

My sister followed the book’s instructions and pressed the yellow dot before turning the page. A grin formed on her face when the next page featured the presence of another yellow dot, and following the same directions, she flipped forward to reveal more of the magically appearing dots. Growing more excited by the minute, she would do as the hand painted text told her, tapping on yellow dots to turn them blue come the next page, then shaking the book to mix them all up and even blowing on the pages to rid them of the black paint that appeared when, by pressing all the yellow dots at once, she “turned out the lights.” At the end of the book, my sister, reading the book near the bookstore counter, started clapping to make the dots grow bigger (though I was surprised Tinker Bell didn’t show up) and handed the book back to me, laughing in glee at the five minutes of fun the book afforded her.

Did I mention that my sister is twenty-three years old? 

Hervé Tullet, a French artist known as the “prince of pre-school books,” has crafted a picture book for children of all ages. The simple, primary colors and easy-to-follow directions make “Press Here” an ideal picture book, and it is artsy enough to be given as a gift to your more “mature” friends. Watch that maturity melt away after they “Press Here.” 

Review by Cat Connolly =^..^=