I think letting them take turns with page-turning isn't a bad idea, unless you think they're easily excited and will tear it up. Me, I don't trust my kids. I control the materials in the classroom, and I enjoy dramatic page turning
If they want to see the book up close, I will lay it down on a table or the floor, and they can gather around and look at it.
Re: first time teaching almost 3 year olds 
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