By Xavier Deneux - Touchthinklearn: Opposites

by Xavier Deneux

Introducing TouchThinkLearn books, a format unlike any other. Combining scooped-out die-cuts with raised, shaped elements, each book is designed to offer the youngest learners an irresistible opportunity to explore their universe in a hands-on, multisensory way. Seeing the image, tracing its shape, saying its these modes of perception combine in a dynamic way to stimulate understanding of essential concepts. Experience green both in the beauty of a raised leaf's surface as well as in the caterpillar that munches on the leaf's edge. Celebrate a moon rising into the night, while simultaneously a sun sets deep into the mirroring page. Translating abstract thought into tangible knowledge, groundbreaking TouchThinkLearn books give early learning new dimension.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Hardcover

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

Xavier Deneux studied at Beaux-Arts de Paris. He has worked as a graphic artist, creating posters and decorations for various industries, and has illustrated more than forty children's books. He lives and works in Paris, France.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BB that teaches small children how to look at opposites. Very simple to understand, this book gives examples that will be very relatable (night is moon and day is sun). This is a nice way to illustrate that there are differences that can be noticed. A BB that I am sure will be read again and again. Very simple illustrations that are easy to understand.

[Darshana Khiani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. However I didn't think some of the illustrations conveyed the meaning of the word well.

[Iluze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un bel imagier basé sur les contraires ! En carton bien solide et avec un chouette design.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple but fun take on opposites where each page fits into the other page. fun. baby and up

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

lily summer reading 2018, board book, opposites, touch and feel,

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the examples used for opposites seem to be too sophisticated for the young crowd.
Otherwise, this is a nicely constructed book.

[Rosalind Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the wild animals book. Good high contrast.

[michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Loved the simplistic design and the raised and inset images. Also, hard paged books are always perfect for drilling children -- less easily damaged or ripped.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "first" book that explains some basic "opposites" with colorful and textured illustrations.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie enjoyed reading this one to us.

[Leo]

Not a favorite for 10 month old Leo or Mom.

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronicle Books has introduced two board books to TouchThinkLearn, it’s wonderful series for toddlers. Opposites helps little ones learn the concept of how things relate to one another. For instance, a kitten is shown at the top of a ladder to demonstrate high, and a mole is shown underneath the ground to illustrate low. Some of the other opposites portrayed include outside/inside, night/day, big/small, and heavy/light.

Colors shows bright vibrant colors while also showing familiar things that may portray them. For instance an apple is red, a teddy bear is brown and a leaf is green.

Several features make these books great for kids. First, the pages are sturdy and thick, so little fingers can turn the pages over and over without tearing them. Second, the illustrations are cut out, with one page showing the raised shape that looks cut from the other. In the apple example I talked about above, the left hand page has a raised apple shape with leaves and a stem drawn on, while the right hand page shows a cut-out space where the apple would be. You still see leaves and a stem above the shape, and the cut out shows apple seeds. In the Opposites book, a full black left-hand page has a raised white crescent moon shape to show night, while the right-hand page is white with a round yellow cut out to show day.

The illustrated shapes are compelling to look at and to touch. The books are recommended for ages 3 and up, but moms and dads can have lots of fun holding their babies and letting them touch the die-cuts while talking to them about what’s shown on the page. These books will definitely be at the top of my gift list for anyone who is having a baby.


The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Gillis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heel mooie uitvoering, maar ik vind dat de illustraties de begrippen niet altijd voldoende duidelijk illustreren. Lijkt mij eerder verwarrend dan verhelderend.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites by Xavier Deneux is a picture board book for ages three and up. This book is a great hands-on think, touch, learn approach. Several opposites are introduced in this text with colorful pictures and raised and cut out textures. I scored this work overall five stars. Each page is colorfully illustrated and organized with only one opposite on each page with the corresponding on the adjoining page. Simple words and concepts are used making this book very age appropriate for very young readers. The stocky design of this board book really adds to the shelf-appeal. This would be a great book to share in a preschool classroom when teaching about opposites. Pairs of opposites covered are white/black, high/low, full/empty, caged/free, outside/inside, night/day, big/small, heavy/light, and one/lots. This book will appeal to young readers as they are encouraged by its design to touch and feel each page while exploring animals, shapes and objects.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

For young readers, this title in the Touch, Think, Learn series is sure to please. Die-cut illustrations add to the appeal as one side shows the concept and its representation on a form that appears to have been cut from the facing page. The two fit togehter perfectly, and readers learn about opposites, including white/black, high/low, full/empty, caged/free, outside/inside, night/day, small/big, heavy/light, and one/lots. The colors and shapes are gorgeous and guaranteed to delight young readers while they experience these important concepts.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent two books in the TouchThink Learn series: Opposites and Colors and I was so impressed with both books. Very minimalist in nature, the books are imaginative, fresh and fascinating. Each two page spread features a raised die cut on one page and a scooped-out shape on the other. The pages invite little fingers to touch and explore the shapes. A very unusual approach to the basic concept book. I'm eager to test these on my 3-year-old grandson.

[Terry]

My son enjoyed the book and wanted to touch all the raised and indented pages. He pointed out the pictures that he liked.

The pictures are adorable and offer a visually pleasing way to teach opposites.

The book goes beyond the typical set of opposites you see in books for this age group.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joyful, tactile exploration of opposites.

This was a selection for the Butler Center's Mock CaldeNott - considering only picture books for children published outside the United States. Even though I wasn't able to attend the discussion, I got hold of all ten of the shortlisted books and quickly devoured them.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book's texture is pretty awesome. From the outside, you can't tell that part of the next page is cut out and used to make an image. For example, on the first page, you have the word white with a polar bear inside an igloo that has been glued onto the page. The igloo fits into a mouse hole on the next page labeled "black."

Great for toddler storytimes.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board books don't tend to impress me, but this one did. A combination of simple-but-beautiful illustrations, simple-but-alluring textures, and solid foundational concepts make this a great pick for the very youngest readers. Recommended for infants to pre-K.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool board book and concept book about opposites.

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh take on that board book staple, a book of opposites. Incredible die cuts.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave 5 stars because I liked the "caged" and "free" images of the lion.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son loves the 3D elements and simple text of the book. Perfect for young toddlers.

[Elena Traduzioni Oceano Mare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this book! Beautiful!

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful board book of opposites. Great contrast; bright colors; simple illustrations. Fantastic for toddlers.