THE COUNTRYSIDE GAME

The king of interactive picture books (I Am Blop!, 2013, etc.) takes a sideways view of board books.

The cover holds a die-cut window giving readers a preview of what is to come. Once open, the page layout changes to a landscape orientation, and readers flip shaped pages for a wordless adventure through the sunny countryside. In Tullet’s cheerily colored, childlike cartoon style, the journey includes a visit to a small cluster of trees, an encounter with a happy couple out for stroll, a stop at a farmhouse and a view of a mountain range, ending with an ocean vista. When the book is flipped over, readers can retrace their steps, this time at night. It’s an enchanting, quietly instructive (if short) journey. It should be noted that a fine-print warning declaring it inappropriate for children under 36 months due to “small parts” (presumably mountain peaks and other die-cut elements detached by energetic use) appears on the back, but, fortunately, the construction and content of both books make them more appropriate for the over-3 set regardless.

Here’s hoping sophisticated 4- and 5-year-olds, who sometimes feel too grown-up for board books, do not dismiss it and miss out on the playful fun within.  (Board book. 3-5)