[I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.  No other compensation was received.]

A simple and joyous story of waking up, taking a shower, eating breakfast, and going off to school makes for a brilliant board book that both my sons love!!!

All of Tullet’s books are amazing.  He solidly blurs the lines of book and toy to make for a gleeful experience full of creativity and giggles for people of all ages.  With The Good Morning Game, you draw a face on your finger and you play while reading about a morning routine.

I had no idea that just drawing a smiley face on your children’s fingers could bring so much joy to both you and your children — but it does.  It is such a seemingly small thing, but it yields for tons of play long after you’ve read the book.  We’ll often play a game of tickle or hiding something or some other random act of silliness and then say, “Don’t blame me.  It must have been Finger Worm!”

I have to warn you that there may be some drama after Finger Worm starts to fade.  My eldest was devastated when his smiley faded.  However, with the drama comes the chance to be the hero — you’ll get to swoop in and draw a new smiley and all happiness is restored!

This book is by far one of my fourteen-month-old son’s favorites.  He will often grab the book from the floor (because it rarely stays on the bookshelf — as evidenced below) and hands it to me to read.  My eldest son also enjoys reading it with him.  Sometimes they follow the story, but more often than not it digresses into a raucous game of peek-a-boo — and everyone has a great time!

I highly, highly recommend The Good Morning Game!  It’s one of the most requested and played with board books we have.  Our reading time just wouldn’t be as rich and playful without it!

All Ages.  Phaidon Press.  February 2015. 14 pages. ISBN:978-0714868752  Fiction. Board book.

Where to Get it:

• [Affiliate Link] Amazon.com
• [Independent Bookstore] Indiebound.org
• [Library] Worldcat.org
• [Publisher] Phaidon.com

You Should Read/Play The Good Morning Game because:

• It is a wonderful way to celebrate the morning routine.  It is cheerful, warm, and all things good!
• It is a perfect book to read with children and adults of all ages.
• It is beautifully and playfully illustrated and superbly designed!  Bold lines and bright colors, well placed holes, and a satisfying size for little ones, turn something usually mundane into a celebration!
• It draws in even the most reluctant or easily distracted children and toddlers and engages them full on.
• It’s sturdy, which considering how often we read this book, is a must.  Again, it has that “not for under 3” warning on it — so note that — but I’m still baffled as to why.  I don’t recommend letting your little ones chew on the book, but that’s true for all books, not just this one.
• There’s a very simple, “Have fun and work hard!” at the end of the book.  I didn’t think much of it, but my eldest son now says it to me when I drop him off at preschool.
• If you’re right handed, then you’ll get to work your right brain as you try to draw a smiley face with your left hand.  It takes a little practice, but by the third time you’ve done it you’ll be impressed with your new-found ability to draw a smiley face with your left hand.  If you’re left handed, then you’ll get to revel in your superior smiley face writing skills from the start.
• This is just one book in a series developed by Hervé Tullet and Phaidon press.  I invite you to take a look at all of them here at Phaidon.com.

From The Good Morning Game by Herve Tullet.

From The Good Morning Game by Herve Tullet.  My littlest one is none too amused that this book is on the bookshelf when it should be in his hands.

Book Trailer:

Author Website:

• Herve Tullet 

Where Obtained:  I received a review copy from the publisher. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

FTC Disclosures:  Some of the links in the post above are Amazon affiliate links and others are IndieBound affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase something, I will receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Which goes to fund my family’s picture book habit.  It’s a vicious cycle, but we manage.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”