THE GAME OF TOPS AND TAILS

Tullet continues to expand his Let’s Play Games! series.

Publishing simultaneously with three other books, the titular game is simple enough for young children to enjoy but complex enough to keep design-oriented adults engaged (and therefore reading with their children). Split pages combine in multiple wordless combinations to illustrate prepositions—on, under, above, below, etc. The images line up neatly, sometimes creating surprising juxtapositions, from an acrobat balanced on a mountaintop to an elephant carrying a truck to a finger pointing at a camel. Bright, primary colors and thick, black lines make for arresting, attention-getting compositions. The Game of Lines features split pages cut on an angle and shocking yellow and pink lines that create myriad patterns; it will capture the attention of even very young babies. The Good Morning Game comes with instructions to adults to draw faces on their fingers, sticking them through die-cut holes in each page as puppets—ideal for playing with children ready for text. The Trail Game also features split pages and is the least successful of the quartet; the trails do not always line up, making for a simple matching game.

Suffice to say, if Tullet can conceive it, adults and children will both enjoy it.