PRESS HERE by Hervé Tullet

I was randomly browsing the kids section in the MoMA store and discovered this book. Attracted to the imperative PRESS HERE, I immediately began reading and followed all the instructions of this wonderful children’s book by Hervé Tullet. The book gives you the sensation of things actually happening as a result of your actions on the page (press here, shake the book, tilt it to the left etc.) and it feels magical. The first couple of times literally gave me a feeling of power. With a touch of my finger this dot will multiply!

I was so engaged with what was happening and the effect each turn of the page had that it hardly bothered me that I was laughing, clapping (acting a little loony) in the MoMa store. All I can say is that PRESS HERE is very compelling and makes the reader a key part of the book. The book is simply illustrated in primary colors with a raw quickly drawn style. Perusing through Tullet's equally playful site, PRESS HERE fits in very well with his body of work.


Chronicle Books released a book trailer for it as well showing children being very amused with the book. But only watch it if you’re not planning to go to a bookstore and read it because the video gives away most of what happens. And you wouldn't want to ruin reading it for yourself.

what did we read: i was told there'd be cake

I have just begun reading I Was Told There'd Be Cake, Sloane Crosley's debut book published in 2008. And by just begun I mean that I have only finished reading the first essay "The Pony Problem" and almost all of the second essay. This means I'm not yet qualified to write a review of the collection and not even really certified to voice an opinion. After all, it's a collection and not just one story.

Extrapolating from what I've read so far—I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

At the same time, I'm realizing the dangers of picking up a book because of really good reviews of it... Having expectations before diving into something isn't my typical approach to things, but that's how this book ended up in my Amazon cart.

The book was a best seller and, of course, on her site, there's only glowing praise. The Los Angeles Times calls it "exquisite" and Details declares it "truly well crafted and genuinely funny." Her recent second book, How Did You Get This Number?, has also accumulated solid reviews as well.

I suppose with no one saying bad things, I began this book hoping for the best and wary of being disappointed. With any luck, I'll find myself ordering How Did You Get This Number? by the end of the week.

what did we LOVE: bembo's zoo

"...the picture book debut of deVicq de Cumptich, should delight collectors of stylish picture books and aficionados of the graphic arts." - Publisher's Weekly

BEMBO'S ZOO



The entire alphabet A - Z of animals from "Antelope" to "Zebra," with things like iguanas, octopuses and flamingos in between, crafted entirely out of the Bembo typeface. It's pretty much amazing. This man (Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich) has skills beyond belief in having been able to make the likenesses of 26 animals out of the letters in their names. Recommeded for viewing by my type core studio teacher. Was a children's book before it became an entertaining flash website! Would love to own it though just clicking on the site is fairly satisfying.

to be read: invisible cities

invisible cities - italo calvino
this short 165 page book composed of just 9 chapters is framed around the setting of marco polo telling the stories of his adventures and travels to kublai khan in a time when the khan's empire is coming to an end. each chapter contains a number of sections, each section only around a page long devoted to describing a different city. the book as a whole is fascinating, creative, and gives the imagination a thorough workout. i love what the book says about human existence, about memories and desires and how speech and writing affects those things. calvino speaks of cities with an entirely fantastical manner that conveys truths, questions, provocation of thought all at once. i wish i could illustrate each city he speaks of in the splendor and detail i envision in my head. invisible cities carries a particular impact for me while i'm away from the city i call home and will do the same for any traveller or resident when the place you live is placed under scrutiny.

"Memory's images, once they are fixed in words, are erased," Polo said. "Perhaps I am afraid of losing Venice all at once, if i speak of it. Or perhaps, speaking of other cities, I have already lost it, little by little."