REACH IN!

Tullet brings his interactive fun to board-book format, complete with pleasingly tactile flaps, folds, and die-cuts.

This chunky and inviting work is filled with the same imaginative, out-of-the-box fun as the author/illustrator’s previous texts, but with paper engineering that creates additional layers of exploration. After opening on a tempting circular die-cut with directions to “enter here,” readers are invited to complete myriad tasks, including some familiar favorites. Tullet’s oft-seen hand motif appears, along with plenty of positive reinforcement (“Wow!”), prompts to “follow the line,” and encouragement to smudge paint or otherwise touch the page to effect change. The addition of flaps creates new opportunities for participation and open-ended play, making the format feel fresh. Tullet instructs readers to “find the prettiest dot”; turning over two flaps reveals a variety of cheerful circles—a chance to ponder and discuss. Other flaps, including a striped triangular fold-out, feel like interacting with a piece of modern art, especially given the book’s stylish primary-colored tones. Made from delightfully robust paper, the flaps are compelling and unexpected. A staircase-shaped flap begs to be traced by small fingers. A jarringly “poke-y” red flap has just the right amount of triangular bite. Two lengthy fold-outs present two dots on opposing sides of the page, with a dramatic amount of white space between them. Assembling these types of books can be fiddly, but Tullet’s pieces fall into place seamlessly.

Preschoolers, you had your turn—now there’s a terrific Tullet for the toddlers, too!