Educational Books
Press Here by Hervé Tullet
Press Here – A Tactile Adventure in a Book
Hervé Tullet’s Press Here is more than a read—it’s an experience. A simple tap on a yellow dot becomes an adventure in colour and number that’s full of surprise and delight. Children are invited to shake, tilt, clap, and press their way through an energetic, imaginative journey—no electronics, no flaps—just the magic of print and participation.
As children follow the prompts, they’re not only reading—they’re exploring colour recognition, basic counting, cause and effect, and most importantly, the joy of engaging directly with a book.
The design is bold yet minimal: large dots in primary colours, clean typography, and intuitive directions. The hardback edition, with its glossy pages, feels durable and inviting—perfect for small hands. While there’s also a smaller board-book format, the original size allows the artwork and movement to breathe, making it ideal for story times and shared reading.
One of the loveliest things is watching children who aren’t used to this kind of freedom with books. There’s often a flicker of disbelief—Am I really allowed to do this? —followed by delight. I once shared Press Here with a six-year-old reluctant reader who was instantly captivated. Her joy was so real, I bought her a copy to take home.
Known in France as the “Prince of Preschool,” Tullet has created over eighty books, but Press Here remains iconic. He refers to his books as “unfinished,” waiting for children to complete them. That spirit of collaboration and play is what makes this title so memorable—and so loved. Tullet has given us a masterclass in interactive storytelling.
📚 Recommended for: Ages 3–6, especially tactile learners, preschoolers, and reluctant readers.
Chronicle Books. Hardback. 2011.
ISBN 978 0 8118 7954 5
Twenty Bears: A counting story by Kathryn Simmonds. Illustrated by Alison Brown
Twenty Bears, One Big Mess – and a Masterclass in Counting
This exuberant counting book is a delight from start to finish. Each of the twenty bears attempts to tidy up a messy house, but their well-meant efforts often end in delightful disaster. The rhyming text is fun to read aloud, encouraging children to count along and predict the mounting chaos.
The illustrations are the real star here—rich, colourful, and full of detail. Every page rewards close inspection: quirky outfits, expressive bear faces, and a cheerful sense of anarchy fill the spreads, inviting interaction from the child. Each bear is named and a further game for a child would be identifying each bear. There's a spider to spot on every page and plenty of opportunities for a child to ask questions and spot what's gone wrong (or right).
This is a book where design and text work in perfect partnership. It is full of movement, humour, chaos and heart—an ideal read for early counters who don’t mind a bit of mess along the way.
📚 Recommended for:
Children aged 3–6, especially those learning to count and who enjoy books with rhythm and repetition.
Bloomsbury Childrens Books Hardback 2025
ISBN 9781526671400