What's Going On Here?: A Tell-Your-Own-Tale Book

by Olivier Tallec (Illustrator)

In this Tell-Your-Own-Tale book, flip the die-cut pages to mix and match stories, creating countless scrambled characters and funny questions. Each new combination makes a new story! Answer the mixed-up questions, or let the characters inspire your own imaginative story. This one-of-a-kind book will leave young readers giggling, wondering, and telling their own unique tales.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals

28 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Olivier Tallec was born in Brittany, France, in 1970.

Tallec graduated from the École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués Duperré in Paris and worked in advertising as a graphic designer before devoting himself to illustration. His work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines, and he has illustrated more than sixty books for children. Olivier Tallec lives in Paris.

Reviews

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flip and mix, flap and match—this is a book full of tons of possibility and silly fun.

This is a long, solid and ready to use book, which invites to flipping through again and again. Twenty-eight different characters are divided into three sections: hats/tops of heads, faces and arms, and waist down. Each of these sections can be flipped through like it's own separate book, which means that the top, middle and bottom combinations change at will and invite many giggles and matching fun. Both sides match up as the backs are as fun as the front sides.

These creatures are quite original as well as the three parts they are divided into. And no matter how they are mixed or matched, they fit together nicely in the quirkiest ways. There is a short sentence or partial sentence on each section, front and back. These mix and match as smoothly as the creatures and create a vast variety of possibilities, many quite silly. The last of the three statements/sections ends with a question which draws kids into thought or could even lead into a discussion. For example: Everywhere we go, Loud brings his blue googles. What do you do when it's hot outside?

While I found the book entertaining, I noticed that sometimes the sentences didn't really match up with the questions below...in my adult mind. My kids saw this laying on the table and flipped through it saying, "Wow! This is neat!" They spent quite a bit of time flipping through the different possibilities and didn't find anything odd in some of the sentence combinations and their logic. They're reasoning—it's silly. Why does it have to make complete sense?

So, I'm giving this one a solid two-thumbs up because my kids love it, and they're the ones who should.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I've seen other books using this design and concept that I liked better than this one, I still found it amusing and useful. Using illustrations that were created in pencil and acrylic paint, author/illustrator Olivier Tallec poses a series of questions at the bottom of each page. These can serve as story starters or inspiration for some sort of writing. But what makes the book even more appealing is how each page is divided into three vertical pieces that have been cut so that readers can flip them at will, thus, creating all sorts of funny combinations. Of course, some of them make more sense than others, but they all are entertaining. Having the contents bookended by a pensive blue animal wearing underwear on its head adds to the fun as does the fact that the book begins by mentioning what someone might do at the start of the book and then again at its conclusion. There are many possibilities to mine here.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a similar book as a child and loved it so much that I kept through multiple moves and changes, using it with my own children and now grandchildren.

Olivier Tallec's version of this has tall pages all cut into thirds that can be flipped at random to mix and match stories. The top two sections are simple sentences and the bottom asks a prompting question such as What do you do when it's hot? or What's the Scariest Thing You've Ever Done? Each section is wonderfully illustrated with bright and lively drawings of goofy animals so each combination is totally giggle-inducing. Could be really fun to use in a classroom as a story starter or writing prompt or just as absorbing entertainment for an individual child or small group.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "choose-your-own-adventure" for the picture book set.

Translated from French, this book features pages cut into three sections, with the start of a sentence and top of a head on the top section, the rest of the sentence and the face and chest of either a person or creature in the middle section, and a question posed with the belly, legs, and feet at the bottom.

While this is not an original idea, these mixed media illustrations are fresh, colorful, and charming. This could be used to read/reread a story, open a discussion, or as a writing prompt for students. Keep in mind that combinations can be kinda goofy like this one I came up with: "Every day after school, we feel a little sad. Wat's something you have to get ready for?"

Optional for ages 3-7.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple sentences on each page section, and depending on how the readers turn the sections they can read a different story every time.

This would be a great book for traveling when you know you'll have a lot of down time with youngsters, they can try out different combinations, but the bottom section also has response questions that you can spend as much time talking about as you want. If you are going to ask the questions, know your group, as some of them are very personal. (examples: What sneaky things did you do today? Do you have any secrets?)

No content issues.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super silly book that also serves as a great conversation starter. Readers can mix up illustrations in all sorts of combinations to tell a silly story. The questions at the bottom of each page could be great discussion starters, and this book can easily be used as a tool for creative writing. Lots of fun to be had with this book!

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with many possibilities, young children will enjoy turning the flaps and coming up with different stories - even if they don't make sense!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, clever book to read. this would be so much fun to use as a prompt for story writing! Illustrations are as much fun as the text.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novelty book that is sure to lead to fun conversations with a child

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s cute. Worth playing with once.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can flip the flaps to create different stories which was fun. However, if you are looking for a more linear story line, this can get a little confusing.