Follow Directions...Why?

Don't Push the Button!
by Bill Cotter

In a world where children are surrounded by technology from the time they wake in the morning until they go to bed, Don't Push the Button! is a fun interactive book without the bells and whistles of an iPad app. A lovable purple monster taunts the reader by stating over and over again DO NOT push the button, but everyone knows deep down he WANTS you to push the button. It is merely a matter of reverse psychology!

Exciting things happen (through the illustrations) when the reader "pushes" the button. Nothing really happens as all adults will quickly realize, but to a young child this button is magical because it changes the color of the monster, adds polka dots to him, and then multiplies him across the pages.

Press Here
by Hervé Tullet

Mr. Cotter did not originate this concept, but he did create a new twist by having a cute monster as the main character. Some may know the book Press Here by Hervé Tullet, which is a wonderfully simplified variation of this book published by Chronicle Books in 2011. In Press Here a single dot is object at the center of attention (or off to the side, depending how you hold the book). I have to say I loved the interaction and especially the reaction of the students when reading Press Here during story times or even one on one. I believe the same response will be had when reading Don't Push the Button!

I think pairing the two books, especially at the beginning of the school year, could bring wonderful conversation. It can be an interesting way for children to see what happens when we follow directions (or not follow directions) and the concept of consequences, since one book tells the reader to push the button while the other tells the reader NOT to push the button.

I would recommend Don't Push the Button! for children from age two to grade two. I believe they will not only enjoy the interplay of the book, but also the blob-like characters.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Sourcebooks, Inc., has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes through NetGalley.com.