Guest post: www.readbrightly.com
Books Like Press Here: 10 Interactive Stories for Hands-On Kids
by Janssen Bradshaw
Janssen Bradshaw
In her pre-child life, Janssen was an elementary school librarian. Now she stays home with her four little girls and is constantly maxing out her library card with picture books, cookbooks, and young adult novels. She’s anxiously counting down the days until her girls are old enough to read the Little House on the Prairie books. You can find Janssen over on her blog, Everyday Reading, where she celebrates modern motherhood with a practical twist.
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I clearly remember the first time I saw Press Here by Hervé Tullet.
My first baby was only a few months old, so she had no interest in it, but my husband and I looked through the whole thing together, completely awed by the creativity and cleverness of the concept of an interactive book.
It’s been over 10 years since it came out, and I’ve discovered a whole host of other interactive books similar to Press Here. They are some of my children’s favorites, getting read over and over again.
And why not? When a page turn makes it seem as if you’re controlling the action on the page, it’s just a magical reading experience!
Here are ten books like Press Here that are favorites at our house.
by Jon Burgerman
Get ready for all kinds of messiness! Turn the pages to get a pie straight to the face or experience an onslaught of water balloons. Parents will appreciate that the comedy in this book requires no actual cleanup; kids will love the laughs and playful take on what a book can be and do.
(Ages 3 - 5)
by Ashley Evanson
My family is obsessed with this book! Using your “magic finger,” you say magical phrases for each page and make ships disappear, books turn enormous, and fireworks go off. The illustrations are bright and fun, and this book instantly became my new gift of choice for young children.
(Ages 3 - 7)
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Lea Redmond, illustrated by Sanne Te Loo
Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s legacy of creativity and originality lives on in this new book that’s perfect for kids looking to take charge of their story. Here she teams up with Lea Redmond to create a Mad Libs-style adventure where readers are asked to fill in key pieces of the story. Using the stickers at the back of the book, or their own found objects, kids can make and re-make the story, with hilarious results.
(Ages 3 - 7)
by Lucie Félix
This one is so clever, with a puzzle piece that comes out on each page and then fits into a new opening, turning it into something completely different. Even my 2-year-old loves removing and replacing the pieces very carefully and watching each image change.
(Ages 3 - 7)
by Cirocco Dunlap, illustrated by Olivier Tallec
The bespectacled, bow-tied mouse narrating this book is doing his darndest to make sure the reader has a peaceful time of it — despite all the shenanigans going on in the background (including a Word-Eating Flying Whale!). Don’t worry, assures the mouse, this book will be no fun at all! Or will it be the most fun?
(Ages 3 - 7)
by Jory John, illustrated by Bob Shea
Jory John always delivers the laughs, and this toothy story is no exception. A grumpy monster blusters and pleads and warns the reader that he’ll give them a chomp if they don’t stop reading. You see, the monster has a secret treasure inside that he doesn’t want the reader to find. The silly monster makes himself ever sillier as he falls behind until the funny, delicious end.
(Ages 3 - 7)
I Can Draw it Myself, By Me, Myself
by Dr. Seuss
All Dr. Seuss books are keepsakes, but this one’s doubly so: kids are invited to get out their art supplies and complete the illustrations that Dr. Seuss left unfinished. First, they’ll draw Fred a head, then Pete some feet, and then they’ll add flourishes to Seussian creatures like Sneggs! A must-have for budding artists.
(Ages 3 - 7)
by Mike Boldt
Fergus the bear has many talents, but hide and seek isn’t one of them. Prepare for some belly laughs while Fergus hides in all the most obvious places. At the very end, Fergus finally figures it out — in a two-page, fold-out panoramic that will test readers’ seeking skills for real.
(Ages 3 - 7)
by Bill Cotter
Of course you’re going to want to touch this book. But you really can’t. Larry knows you’re thinking about it and he knows it’s tempting, but just don’t. Okay, maybe if you just use one finger. But whoops! What just happened? On every page, things go hilariously awry as Larry learns to share his beloved book.
(Ages 4 - 8)
by Keri Smith
The bestselling creator of Wreck This Journal has brought her creative energy to picture books, culminating in the ultimate interactive experience. Reading is an active experience, Smith says, and books are meant to engage all the senses — so get ready to sniff, shake, tap, smell, hug, and even wear this one-of-a-kind book.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2021.
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