My boy's collection of books is large. In fact over the last two years we have had to get another bookshelf to hold all of the books. Family and friends love to buy little gifts and books are the one "little something" that I actively encourage as I feel reading is a vital part in a child's development even at a young age. The titles in our collection vary, however we do have a very large amount of books from the Fiona Watts "That's not My...." Range". One of these includes "That's Not My train".

The selling price of "That's Not My train" and the other titles from this range is £5.99. Which I do feel for such a short story is quite expensive. However my boys get a lot of pleasure out of this range of books and the titles in the range which is why I can't help myself but buy more books from this range. A large number of retailers sell this series including Waterstones, WHS Smiths at the £5.99 cover price but if you shop around at the likes of Asda, Tesco and Amazon you can purchase books from this series including "That's Not My train" for between £3-£4 depending on the special offer.

The book is published by Usbourne, written by Fiona Watts and illustrated by Rachel Wells as are the other books from the "That's Not My..." series.

"That's Not My train" is a sensory book which includes different textures on each page for a child to explore. The suggested age range for this book and the other titles in the "That's Not My...." Range is up to 3 years. The story is very basic and short as the number of words on each of the 5 double pages is limited, therefore there is very little reading involved with these books. Personally I feel that for children nearer age 3 these books may be a little too simple and not engage and interest them in the same way they do with younger babies and toddlers, especially as the books in this range are very similar and repetitive.

The title of the book "That's not my Train" is repeated on the cover and on the first 4 pages inside of the book. This includes different reasons as to why the train on each of the pages is not the correct train. This includes the train's windows being too shiny on the first page and mirrored sections on the page. On the second page the trains funnel is too rusty and there is a sandpaper type material section. On the third page the train is too bumpy and there is a bumpy cardboard section on the page. The fourth page includes the roof being too rough and there is a raised textured section on the page. On the final page the story ends with the correct train being found. The reason for this being the correct train is its engine is so glossy and there is a large glossy section on the page for a child to touch.

All of the sections are fine for a baby to touch but my main criticisms of the book is how repetitive many the reasons on each page are used in the different titles and there are not many original reasons. If you have only read one or two titles in the series you probably won't notice but for example the bumpy corrugated cardboard is used in "that's not my snowman" in addition to this title. The textured sections are durable however and my boys have touched them over and over again with sticky hands without causing damage or wear.

There are a variety of titles in the "That's not my range" some of which I feel have a unisex appeal whereas others aimed at boys and girls. Personally I feel that this title is unisex and would buy for a boy or girl however those with more traditional views may feel because of the vehicle feel this may be aimed more at boys than girls.

The book has a bright yellow background and on each of the pages in the book there is a large bright clear image of a train, each with a different textured section. On each of the pages the image of a mouse is hiding somewhere on the page which occurs throughout the "That's not my range". This adds another dimension and not only does your child have textured section to feel but also a chance to spot the mouse character. My boys started reading books from this range at around 9 months and at this age they loved to look at the bright coloured illustrations on the page and I would put their hand to the textured section. By 12 months old they were reaching out for the sections on their own. We first started reading "That's not my train" when my boys were 15 months old and they would turn the pages and say words like "train" and shout "choo choo". At 24 months old my boys like to sit on my knee and read the book but are more independent than previously and turn pages and say "no train" on the pages where it is not the correct train and on the final page say "there it is" when we get to the correct train.

The book is made from a thick hard wearing and durable cardboard. The outer cover is made from a wipe able material which is means if sticky fingers get onto the books any marks can easily be removed. There is also a textured section on the front of the book. Each cardboard page is around 3mm thick which makes it impossible for children to tear the pages, either by accident due to uncoordinated movement, or when fighting over books which is a regular occurrence in our house. The spine of the book is also very durable meaning even if it is bent over on itself pages do not fall out or the book is ruined by doing so. The thick pages also make it very easy for little hands to turn the pages.

"That's not my train" is a book I would definitely recommend to other parents of children aged between 9 months and 2 years old. Although because of the vehicle focus the book is slightly boyish but in my opinion I do feel that the book still has unisex appeal and girls would enjoy te book as much as boys. I do feel older children up to age 3 would still be interested in reading the book however to get the most benefit from the book I would say at the quite expensive price it is best to purchase when they are under 2 years old. The good news for parents is the book has a happy ending but a downside is the book becomes very repetitive especially if you have a number of titles from the "That's not my series"!.