2018
WISE Score
Larry the monster turns a book into a trick-or-treat doorbell, proving that telling a toddler 'don't' is the fastest way to get them to do exactly that.
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This book is a certified preschool banger. It follows the same 'don't do the thing' logic as the classic Monster at the End of This Book, but adds physical interaction that makes it feel like a tactile app without the screen.
It’s short, punchy, and understands exactly how a toddler’s brain works. If you're looking for a Halloween tradition that doesn't involve a sugar crash or a nightmare, this is a very easy 'yes.'
This is the bullseye for the 2-to-5 crowd. It's simple enough for a toddler to 'get' the joke, but interactive enough that a preschooler will feel like they're in charge of the story.
Larry the monster is a harmless, goofy guide through a low-stakes trick-or-treating adventure. It's pure toddler-tier holiday fun with zero mean-spiritedness.
The book treats the physical page as a living interface. Asking a kid to shake the book or tap a 'doorbell' button turns a passive reading experience into a creative game.
It's a board book. No batteries, no tracking, no hidden costs. The 'spooky' elements are limited to costumes and mild monster antics.
Great for building the language comprehension strand of literacy. It teaches cause-and-effect and following multi-step directions while keeping the 'desire to read' high.
Bill Cotter’s Don’t Push the Button! series has basically mastered the art of the 'analog app.' For a three-year-old, the jump from a flat story to a book that 'reacts' to their touch is a massive developmental milestone in how they perceive media.
Kids at this age are testing boundaries 24/7. This book gives them a safe, hilarious place to do exactly that. By telling them not to push the button, it creates an immediate tension that is resolved with a laugh every time they inevitably 'break' the rule. It's a masterclass in engagement for kids who have grown up seeing tablets respond to their every swipe.
We talk a lot about the 'Reading Rope' at Screenwise, and this book hits the language comprehension strand hard. It’s not just about decoding words; it’s about understanding narrative structure, cause-and-effect, and the relationship between a reader and an author. When Larry reacts to the kid’s actions, the kid learns that their participation in a story matters.
If your kid has already devoured Press Here by Herve Tullet, this is the logical Halloween-themed next step. It’s a bit more character-driven than Tullet’s abstract dots, which makes it stickier for kids who like to form 'friendships' with the characters they read about.
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