Press Here: Board Book Edition: 1 (Herve Tullet)

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Original questions and guidelines for philosophical discussion by Ellen Duthie. Edited June 2020 by The Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics. A dot is such a simple thing. A simple thing that turns into something magically fun in this marvelous new book by Hervé Tullet.

Philosophers of art have tried to explain this paradox in different ways. Some have suggested that, with fiction (at least with good fiction), we enter a special state whereby we willingly suspend disbelief and–at least momentarily– embrace it as “real.” Others suggest that it’s not entirely accurate to say we are moved by fictional characters or events. When we say we feel sad for a character in a book, what we are really saying is that we feel sorry for people in real life who could be in that situation or in a similar situation. Others suggest that it is another form of “pretending” or make-believe (that is, we don’t “really” feel sad or frightened, we are just pretending). It works as a teaching tool and at first, it is just the reader doing all of the actions. But in no time, the child learns to point, understands clapping, counting, colors and how every action has a reaction. For further speech and language goals to target using Press Here by Hervé Tullet, see the list below. The paradox of fiction refers to people being “moved” (normally emotionally) by fictional characters, events, or situations despite knowing that they are fictional and not real. How can we explain that we feel sad for a character in a book even though we know that they do not really exist? Or that we feel frightened by a monster in a film, despite knowing that no such monster exists? Or, in the case of Press Here, that we reach out and press, or blow, or clap, despite knowing that we are not really making anything happen when we do so? I would contend that Press Here is actually more interactive than many digital picture books. Touching, rubbing, shaking, blowing, tilting – can you name an app that registers all those different actions?

PRESS HERE, MIX IT UP!, LET'S PLAY!, and SAY ZOOP! Collect all four interactive books from Herve Tullet. Does experience of seeing two events occurring one after the other again and again confirm that there is a causal link between them? How many times do you think you have to see two events together to conclude there is a causal link between them?

Is Press Here different from other books you have read? In what ways? What makes it different? What do you like about it? How can we know when two things are linked through cause and effect? If you pressed a doorbell and you suddenly felt ill, would you think it was an effect of having pressed the doorbell? Why? I was Stunned. The first time I read it with her, she was already familiar with it. I could see her anticipating what was coming next. She was captivated by the idea of doing all of the necessary things to make the book work. Yes, This is NOT a Romance book or even a Mystery/Thriller. Yes, my reviewing a children's book is quite unusual. Well, sometimes I will experience something so impressive, I cannot stop myself from telling everyone about it. It is recommended for children from 4 years to 8 years. I can truthfully say, you can start with this book much much younger.The philosophical questions raised by Press Here are quite abstract and may suit slightly older primary school children. Younger children will still enjoy thinking about some of the questions about the paradox of fiction though. Questions for Philosophical Discussion The paradox of fiction