  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2017 *Starred Review* The creator of Press Here (2011), Mix It Up! (2014), and Let’s Play (2016) here enhances his explorations of color and motion by adding sound to the mix. To be clear, there’s no actual audio present; instead, Tullet conveys auditory cues through visual symbols. He begins with a single blue dot (Oh) whose volume varies with his size. Oh can count, change speed, vary his pitch, shiver, and cry. The introduction of a similarly accomplished red dot (Ah) allows the two to interact: conversing, singing, roaring, arguing, and making up. Finally, they are joined by Waahoo! (a yellow dot surrounded by smaller yellow dots), and real play begins. The three display characteristic movements (bouncing, spiraling, and jumping), imitate animals and cars, and experiment with creating language. Once again Tullet achieves what should be impossible using only dots, lines, primary colors, and a few simple phrases. As in the earlier titles, text is kept to a minimum, consisting mostly of “Oh,” “Ah,” and “Waahoo!” and a few simple directions (“Put your finger on this dot and say OH!”). He makes good use of size (indicating volume) and comic conventions (signaling emotions and movements), resulting in a creative and interactive experience for toddlers and their caregivers. Who needs bells and whistles when you have a Tullet? - Copyright 2017 Booklist. School Library Journal - 07/01/2017 PreS-Gr 2—Tullet's latest interactive offering encourages readers to experiment with sound. The author/illustrator tells children to say "oh!" each time they see a blue dot. The size of the dots changes: a large one prompts kids to let out a loud "oh!"; a tiny one, a soft "oh." Tullet spreads the dots far apart on the page to slow things down and groups them together to speed things up. When a red dot enters the mix ("say 'ah!'?"), the words and illustrations become wonderfully wacky. What would it sound like if the blue dot had a conversation with the red dot? Or if they were tickled? Blending elegance and whimsy, Tullet artfully places simple shapes against a white background, letting the images turn delightfully chaotic at times. An argument between the two circles has a frantic, Jackson Pollock—esque feel, while a scene in which the narrator asks readers to pretend that the dots are jumping on a trampoline evokes the joyful energy of Keith Haring's graffiti. Visible smears on the spots add a painterly charm. The enthusiastic text matches the lively visuals. VERDICT Whether shared in a group or one-on-one, this dynamic selection will make a boisterous read-aloud. Consider using it to introduce youngsters to the concept of musical notation. Pure fun.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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