TouchThinkLearn: Vehicles

by Xavier Deneux

Featuring spreads each with raised shaped objects that fit into scooped cutouts on their opposite page, TouchThinkLearn books 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 name: these modes of perception combine in a dynamic way to stimulate understanding of essential concepts. Discover—and experience a train by tracing the raised railcar on one side and feeling the excavated shape of the track on the other! Clusters of related words on each spread offer parents and children a springboard for further conversations to encourage the language skills so crucial to later successful learning. In a format unlike any other, these groundbreaking books translate abstract thought into tangible knowledge.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

16 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2012

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

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure who was more disappointed in this book my kid or me. It seems tactile like it's going to have flaps or move but it doesn't so based on the library book it looks like some kids just pull on it CONVINCED THERE'S MORE. Alas, there's not.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benji loves vehicles of all sorts, so I thought this would be a winner! It has a unique construction where the items on the left pages are raised and the items on the right pages are indented (so that when you close the book, the raised items fit perfectly in the indented space). Very creative! Each page only offers single terms that are related to the items illustrated: nouns and verbs, so I took it upon myself to make up full sentences with those words to really explain the objects pictured.

[Jordan DiDomenico · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two-year-old mind was enthralled

[Jess Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The design of the book with the cutouts and raised sections is pretty cool! The words on each page are a little odd.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Double-page spreads of different vehicles or aspects of vehicles are featured in this engaging board book. What I really like about it is how the left-hand page has the raised elements that have been cut out of the right-hand page. Readers can touch both pages to recognize what each object is, whether it might be a car, a train, a ship, or something else. My only concern is that there are quite a lot of unfamiliar words included on each double-page spread. While the words are associated with the vehicle, that would make this one more useful when shared between adult and child. Otherwise, I think some beginning readers might be confused by all the print, even though it is smaller than the one identifying the mode of transportation. This is a wonderful way to expand the world of a child, though, both literally and symbolically.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

My two-year-old is always attracted to Deneux's books in the library. She found this one today and brought it to me to read. I think they are very clever, with their raised pages and negative space for the raised portions to fit into. For whatever reason, those blank spaces were stressing L out this time. She kept shouting "Oh NO!" and patting the book. I showed her how it closes up, but she still insisted on thinking the cut out areas were a problem. Having said that, she had a ton to talk about as we read this book, so I would say it was a hit.

[Megababy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! Mom wasn't sure about it when she got it, but she was doing a vehicle theme at the library and this one fit. But it isn't a story, just pictures and words telling what is on the page, and she doesn't like that kind of book.

BUT I DO! Some of the words I know already, like "car" and "choo choo!" My favorite page is the choo choo.

This book is so fun because it has things to touch, some of the things stick out from the page, and some of them are holes, and I like to play with them. When I'm older, I'll know all the words!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listed in CCBC Choices 2016 under Picture Books for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers. One of my favorite board books of 2015! Opposite pages have either raised or recessed shapes, great for tactile enjoyment by babies and toddlers. Sweet Spot: Toddlers

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tactile images of cars, trains, and cement mixers. Great for babies. Simple and brilliant!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our 1.5 year old LOVES this book!

[Grillables · Rating 2 out of 5]

The visual and tactile aspects are appealing, but the text is a bit scattershot and in some cases slightly advanced for the topic and intended audience.

[Tina Denson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just awesome!!!