Don't Push the Button!: A Funny Interactive Book For Kids

Don't Push the Button #1

by Bill Cotter

There's only one rule in Larry's book: don't push the button.

(Seriously, don't even think about it!)

Even if it does look kind of nice, you must never push the button. Who knows what would happen?

Okay, quick. No one is looking... push the button.

Uh, oh.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Humor, Monsters, Fiction, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Bill Cotter is an artist who lives in Brooklyn, NY. Bill spends his time teaching art and music to children, playing live music around the city, and perfecting his ping pong skills.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't push the button! Things happen when you do...great book for children - and maybe some of our politicians? On second thought that is not fair to children! This book could be a good test to see if a small child will follow instructions - as such it is a great way to teach a valuable lesson.

[April (Aprilius Maximus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My four year old is currently OBSESSED with this book. Asks to read it a million times a day 🤣

[کیه!؟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

بسم الله...

کودکانه

سر کلاسهای داستان نویسی خانم "ژوبرت"، "فاطمه مطهری" برایم تعریفش را کرد.

از نمونه کتاب های تعاملی که بچه ها علاوه بر اینکه آموزش میبینند بازی هم میکنند.

هنوز برای پسرک نخوانده ام تا واکنشش را اینجا بنویسم اما خودم خوشم آمد... حتی کودکانه وقتی باید کودک، کتاب را تکان دهد تا دایره های تن این غول کوچک که عکسش روی جلد هست بریزد، کتاب را محکم تکان دادم و بعد ورق زدم ببینم چه اتفاقی افتاد... :)

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: At this point we have read this book many, many, many times. Countless times. We have read this book so many times I have started to change its words just for fun. I say "Hi, my name is Robert", and my youngest one yells "No! He is Larry!", because he doesn't read but of course knows every single word in this book. "There is only one rule: Don't pick your nose". "No! Don't push the button!". I would give this book 5 stars all over again...



Original review:

How not to push the big, red, tempting button???

Specially if the ONLY rule in Larry's book is do not push the button?!?!?!

The book is simple, funny, and very interactive. I can't imagine a kid not liking it. We laughed each time we pushed the button (yes... we did push the button...) and something funny happened to Larry. Hilarious!

Warning: You might want to go on pushing every button you see after closing the book.

Age range: 2 to 6 years old.

Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun in terms of the interactive element but I'm glad it was just a library check-out and for my home library will gravitate to other titles in the genre that don't encourage doing something you're not supposed to do (though there are consequences and it could be a good springboard for discussion). I can see older kids would be "in" on it but it might send mixed messages with very young ones.

[Storywraps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun, interactive book stars Larry, the purple monster. He is friendly, happy and completely non-threatening. He is having a meltdown because he has privy to a red button and he knows you are not to push it. He agonizes over the fact that that button is off limits...but oh he wants you to push it sooooooo badly. He tempts the reader to just give it a little tap and of course when that happens Larry's world changes. His beautiful purple turns him yellow, them gives him spots and then multiplies him. Larry gives the reader verbal instructions: push button, push it twice, shake the book, scratch his tummy, all in the hope of turning him back to normal again.

Kids will love this book and the fact that they can interact with this adorable little monster. The illustrations are big and vibrant and very expressive. Toddlers and pre-schoolers will giggle and laugh as they are instructed to work with Larry to change him back. The suspense and tension Cotter builds up pushes the narrative forward in such a fun, entertaining way.

The premise is very similar to "The Monster at the End of This Book", starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover and "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," but no matter how many ways this dilemma is portrayed it is always a hoot and kids just love it.

I particularly liked Bill Cotters dedication: To Mom and Dad
for always encouraging me
even when I was pushing
their buttons.

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my toddler’s nap today. This book is cute. The bear said don’t push the button but couldn’t listen to his own advice and decided to push, once then twice then more and each time he push the button, he changed and multiply. A bit of an interaction with readers.

Read from kindle unlimited.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more Picture book reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

"There's only one rule in Larry's book: don't push the button. (Seriously, don't even think about it!) Even if it does look kind of nice, you must never push the button. Who knows what would happen? Okay, quick. No one is looking... push the button."

My nephew played with this book the entire week we had it... Since I knew his anticipation was building to read it we waited until it was the last book left... and boy did that pay off!! He had sooooo much fun play-, I mean reading, this book. We loved how interactive the book was as Larry tempts the reader to give the red button a little tap... My nephew adores books that talk right to him and act like the are in conversation with him... tap the button, push it twice, shake the book, scratch his tummy... Each instruction changes Larry!

The words are simple and easy to follow... but honestly this isn't about reading... A message-less book that also teaches comprehending instructions and following through with them it becomes this unique book that even while not a 5 out of 5 stars I would still suggest buying for a home library. Especially for children that struggle not to disobey, with comprehending consequences and following instructions. I can see a child "reading" this over and over again cementing the ideas connected with his actions...

My nephew LOVED the spread with Larry after we shake the book and get rid of some of the extra Larrys! Drawing that was simple but quite fun for him... and he did really well adding the title... right?!

BOTTOM LINE: A fun INTERACTIVE book for kids who don't enjoy reading!

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it's an awful lot like Press Here, and almost as good. But that instruction is framed positively, and this negatively, so imo that one wins. (Also, I like that the other does not have a character guide, and also it does make me giggle out loud every time I 'play' it.) I do hope to find more by the author of this, though.

[Payam Ebrahimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

مشت نمونه‌ی خروار کتاب‌هایی از این دست که هیچ نکته‌ی جدید، جالب، خلاقانه یا هرگونه ارزش افزوده نسبت به کتاب‌های مشابه نداره.

[Vidya Tiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts: Don’t – well of course, means ‘Do’; and ‘not push buttons’, well, not going to happen. That is exactly what this book expects from its readers – the title makes sure of it, the words tempt us, and the bright, super-cute illustrations seal the deal.

This book is temptation for the littlest readers – the cute little devil that prompts them (and even us) to do all that parents do not want us to do – I am sure looks like Larry.

I can just hear the giggles resulting from reading this book with a room full of little ones and of course, all the pushing (the button, of course), the shaking, the tickling too. This can be a great book to read with a do what ‘Larry-Says’ type of activity for kids for play-time or just about any time! It is a great book for siblings to read together.

My 10 year old’s comments – “Humorous, last picture with all the monsters dancing around, Even though for younger kids, even older kids will enjoy it. Nice book, all in all”

My 7 year old says of the book – “Really fun, love the polka dots and love Larry, and can we push the button?”

Rating: A
Reread Level: 5/5
Reading Level: Up to 7 years (but as I said earlier, everyone has fun reading it!)

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Bill Cotter. I received a e-ARC of the book for review. These are my honest opinions of the book.

For a giveaway of the book - http://myrandrspace.blogspot.com/2013...

[Sue Edwards]

It starts on page one when Larry the monster warns the readers “Don’t push the button.” The warnings get stronger and stronger until Larry just can’t stand it. He has to know what happens when someone does push the button. What could possibly go wrong?

Larry has all the sass of Mo Willem’s Pigeon (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus) and just as clearly recognizes both that sass and a few defiant tendencies in young readers. But don’t think he is just Pigeon in a monster suit. Although Larry speaks directly to the reader, as does Pigeon, the reader actually gets to take part in Larry’s story.

Seriously, be ready for some eager button pushing once your young story lover discovers that pushing it once changed Larry from purple to neon yellow and pushing it a second time gives him spots. You may have to brace the book. I’m not joking.

Cotter’s mixed media art work is bright and engaging. Young readers will be attracted to both the fun, bright colors but also the simple forms. As is so often the case, the eyes have it — emotion that is. The drawings may be simple but Larry manages to be happy, sincere and scared all at appropriate times.

Because, as with all great picture books, this is about more than who can really push a button. It is a story about consequences, exploration and adventure all wrapped up in a very simple package.

Originally reviewed on The Bookshelf: What We're Reading.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got Don't Push the Button! and Don't Touch This Book! from the library at the same time, and I just read both in quick succession. I have to say, I think that this one is the weaker of the two, despite being the book that started it all.

We meet Larry, a purple monster, who introduces himself and shows us the button, which we're not supposed to push. We're not given a reason why. We're just told that we shouldn't. And what happens when someone tells you not to do something (especially when they don't give you a good reason)? You just want to do it more.

The rest of the book shows us the results of pushing that button. It's a cute gimmick, but I thought the execution was a bit weak... especially once I read Don't Touch This Book!

This is cute enough, but if I were to give it as a gift, I'd probably want to give it along with Don't Touch This Book! Reading the two books together would make for a fun storytime for kids.

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't want to like this as much as I did. There are quite a few books floating around already that are interactive. We have Press Here as well as Tap the Magic Tree. There's also the fact that Don't Push the Button! owes much credit to The Monster at the End of this Book (Sesame Street). I've never been a fan of riding the coattails as they say.

However, this is the first of the mentioned four fourth wall breaking books that I have decided that would work well with a large group of children (sorry Grover, you're too long), Press Here you were here first and I love you in a one on one context but with a classroom full of kids, not so much. Tap the Magic Tree, you're a lot cooler in the fall.

But Don't Push the Button! has Larry(s) and he's funny, he's melodramatic, and he tempts us with something forbidden.

Kids will delight in all of the aforementioned books, but this one will fit in best with class full.

[Nathalie Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute interactive book to read!

[Danielle Robertson Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3-year-old loved this so much he made me read it 3x in a row!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and silly! A great interactive book to share with little ones. Recommended for preK-2

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't Push the Button! by Bill Cotter is an interactive picturebook schedule for release on November 1 2013. Larry is a monster, and he has only one rule; that no one press the button in the book. However, curiosity becomes too much for Larry and he urges the reader to press said button when no one is looking. Pressing the button has some unexpected consequences, which leads to more button pressing, book shacking, and all sorts of fun.

Don't Push the Button! has delightful illustrations and a fun premise. who does not want to press a button, particularly after being told not to? the very visible results lead to lots of interactive fun for the reader. i think a one on one reading session with an adults and young child or an older child reading to a younger would will bring the most enjoyment out of the story. It reminded me of the joy I always for in There's a Monster at the End of the Book, where the main character directly interacts with the reader in a fun way. Even though the button is just a picture rather than an actual, press-able button, I think children will have fun pressing the button and seeing the result on the following page.

I would recommend Don't Push the Button! to picturebook fans, particularly those that enjoy monsters and interactive tales. I think it could be a good discussion starter about consequences or for guessing just what might happen next. I think everyone can find some fun and enjoyment in this picturebook and plan on giving it as a gift this holiday season to at least one young child.

[Coranne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few books that I am so enamored by in the children's book world that I will actually get the e-arc version (because typically e-arcs and children's books don't tend to play nicely together. I think that the reverse psychology that is used in Don't Push the Button worked so well that it got me to request this book!

Don't Push the Button follows the idea of past books like The Monster at the End of this Book, the Pigeon series, and other books that break the third wall in kids books. I love books that interact with the child- and man, can I tell you, little kids go gaga over books that interact with them. The images are adorable (and do I spy a hint of Japanese anime/ manga influence?) and the book is so simple.

I absolutely know that this book is going to be on my son's Christmas list (and I don't say that lightly- have you SEEN how expensive kids books are?) This is a book you won't want to miss and you will LOVE reading with your child!

**Giveaway coming up on October 7th for this book- US/ CA- check out my site! thebestbooksever.com

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and interactive children's book.

This is about curiosity and what child does not want to push a button, especially when they have been told not to? Larry the monster gets too curious and encourages the reader to push the button when no one is looking. But from pressing the button, Larry gets a shock and perhaps is a warning to all the kids who want the push the button in future....

This is a perfect story to share with children as adults enjoy it too, its full of fun, it's bright and colourful and interactive to engage the reader.

I would recommend this book for any young curious child who happens to like monsters.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending it to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Karly Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book that would be great for early readers. There are not too many words on the page and is highly entertained. The author did a really good job at keeping as few words as possible to a page. The colors used in the book contrast with each other creating a visually appealing picture book. Kids will be highly entertained as the book interacts with them while being able to "push the button" and seeing the consequences that follow with it. It will allow kids to not only practice their reading, but also have fun doing it too. The pictures are simple with contrasting colors next to each other. I highly recommend this book to kids to read and enjoy.

[Julie Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my two year old who was absolutely in riots throughout the book! Very fun and interactive! He loved seeing what would happen when he pushed the button. The illustrations and text were simple and engaging. Highly recommend to anyone with young children!

[Ethan & Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to give this 5 stars because this book makes me giggle and laugh. The beginning of the book is hard for me to handle because when my mom reads the word "Don't," I react with a mini-tantrum because I think I'm in trouble. Please consider a second, revised edition of the book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books keep Aiden entertained (I know..the book lover in me is dying) but this one had him engrossed. He even shouted, "Oh no!" after pushing the button. So this one's a winner.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun and interactive. Some of it was lost because my son is a little rebel who started breaking the rules on the first page. 😂

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story! I have had to purchase this story more than once, as it’s a favourite with my students! My youngest students really enjoy the interactive text and will be giggling only a few pages in! I have also purchased the sequel to this story, Don’t Touch this Book!

[Olivia Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the main character charismatic and relatable. On its surface the book seems to center around the complex dialectic that there is “good” and “bad” in all of us. But if you dig deeper I wonder if the author is pointing to the arbitrary lines that society draws around “good” and “bad”, encouraging us to question the very schemas that many of us cling to for comfort.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Today, we read Don’t Push The Button! by Bill Cotter, a delightful interactive book that’s full of laughs and surprises.

There’s only one rule in Larry’s book: don’t push the button! Even though it’s a really cool-looking button. I mean, nobody’s looking, maybe you could just push the button once – uh oh! Now there’s all sorts of problems that you and Larry must solve!

This book was so much fun! Interactive books, when done well, are always a treat for little readers, and this one was especially great for baby bookworms like JJ because the instructions are all very simple: push the button, shake the book, etc. The text is lively and lots of fun to read aloud, the illustrations are fun and colorful, and the length is just perfect for little ones. We loved this one! Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Jos M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, if slightly derivative of Press Here, Larry the monster dares the reader to press the button and watch changes occur. It's just not as strong as Press Here's vibrant primary colours, and Press Here's metatuxtuality is so striking, making YOU the character in the book, whereas I think having an avatar figure kind of detracts from that somewhat.

In addition, I question why Larry is a male monster rather than simply non-gendered? I suspect there is meant to be a comic dissonance to his mundane name and ridiculousness, having said that, this may be my politics showing, but it is tiresome with what frequency the only named character in a book will be male in this age bracket of literature. If that's the joke it has to be waaaaaaaaaaay stronger to justify it.

Having said that, I am sure this is still a fun and enjoyable reading experience for the preschooler age bracket.

[gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that both allows and encourages my son to poke and shake it is going to come out on top of the Bedtime Favorite Reading List each night. He couldn't get enough of this book and had it memorized by the time it was returned to the library. And god help you if you forget any of the words. Poor Grandma who's eyesight and exact reading of picture book words is not exactly the best, may have gotten a good talking to about reading the book right. From the three year old LOL. Definitely recommend. ALso a great book to make monsters "not scary" to young children.