Review: Let’s Play Games! by Herve Tullet

The Game of Mix and Match
The Game of Let’s Go!
The Game of Mix-Up Art
The Game of Finger Worms
The Game of Light
The Game of Patterns
By Hervé Tullet
Phaidon
$8.95
Ages 2-4
In Stores

When you crack the cover of a book by Hervé Tullet, it is instantly apparent that this is the work of a creative guy. Before hitting the New York Times bestseller list with 2011’s Press here, the Frenchman has steadily accumulated a large body of work, dealing in books of the picture, coloring, and activity varieties. Now Tullet has created a series of board books to bring his brand of joy for joy’s sake to the youngest of audiences. Each is unique and engaging. Similar to how Tullet’s outstanding Press Here was best explained by a book trailer, a video camera is the most appropriate way to do these six little books justice as well.

The Game of Mix and Match. Four independently moving sections allow the reader to create any number of picture combinations. A car, a house, a tree, a sun – all can be split up and rearranged.

The Game of Let’s Go! Readers are encouraged to close their eyes and use their finger to follow a fuzzy green line. Things get interesting as the line twirls, loops, and becomes dotted, weaving in and around die cuts.

The Game of Mix-Up Art. Similar in format to The Game of Mix and Match, Mix-Up Art features seven works of abstract art split into three sections, to be reconstructed. Dots, geometric lines, and splatters abound.

The Game of Finger Worms. Kids and adults can get become part of the book, as each page has two holes that allow index fingers to become “finger worms”, swimming in the ocean, crawling out of sewer pipes, and turning into dinosaurs.

The Game of Light. Each page of this bedtime story features die cuts that, when used with a flashlight, cast pictures on the wall of a dark room.

The Game of Patterns. In the grand tradition of “spot the difference” games, each spread of this book contains two similar (but subtly different) patterns. Readers will pore over the details to catch each change.

For the little ones in your life or your library’s board book collection, Tullet’s interactive series is an excellent choice.

Review copy from publisher

Watch a workshop with Hervé Tullet in Paris:

Also reviewed by A Fuse #8 Production, Pink Me.

Find these books at your local library with WorldCat.