This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching the feely patches.
Fiona Watt is an Editorial Director and writer at Usborne Publishing. She started working at Usborne in 1989 and has written and edited hundreds of books including baby and novelty, sticker, art and craft, cookery, science and activity books. Fiona graduated from Exeter University with a B.Ed. (Hons.), specialising in Psychology and Art and Design. After university she worked as a researcher and writer for a company which published educational material for places where children went on school visits (zoos, museums, stately homes etc). She then taught seven, eight, and nine year olds for five years; three years at a state school in Sevenoaks in Kent, and two years at The British School in the Netherlands in The Hague.
Having joined Usborne in 1989, Fiona became an editorial director in 2003, largely responsible for writing baby and novelty books, as well as art and activity titles. She has written over 100 titles for Usborne Publishing, perhaps most notably the, ‘That’s not my ….‘ touchy-feely series.
Some of the feely parts in the book aren't that interesting for tiny hands - the smooth tusks and the leathery trunk are rather subtle textures - but the rough ears on the front cover and the tufty tail made my daughter very excited. As always, the illustrations are adorable, but this wasn't the best That's not my... book that we've read together.
I really enjoy these books! I must admit, I thought the tail was going to be fluffy instead of tufty. Haha! O had fun with the different textures too. It is also different enough from That's not my otter and that's not my cow to stay interesting for me, but familiar enough for O to still have fun.
"That's not my elephant. It's feet are too squishy"
This is yet another great success from the That's not my series that introduces babies and toddlers to enchanting textures, ordinary textiles repurposed to describe strange animals and objects. Elephants, intelligent and gentle, are a charming addition to this this series. I really enjoyed the use of Velcro for the rough ears, and have possibly met my new favourite texture in the squishy feet. Even better, on the bumpy toenails page there is a delightful curious little baby elephant depicted in a pastel grey-purple. The illustration really captures that shy curiosity that always comes through from baby elephants (when they're not adorably falling over). The animal titles in this series are especially special, and I will be looking out for more instalments and vetting them for Baby J! Will you help me read the baby books, my loveable husband, Adam?
We're so happy you read "That's Not My Elephant" by Usborne. This charming book teaches us about recognizing and appreciating differences. Each elephant in the story is unique, just like every person you meet. This helps us understand that everyone is special in their own way. Remember, when you meet new friends, to appreciate what makes them different and special. This idea will help you be a kind and understanding friend, celebrating the uniqueness in everyone, including yourself.
I choose this book for one of my 3 baby books. The book describes the details about the elephant that make the author ( the perspective from whom this book is written) decide that this is not their elephant. It is a great book for toddlers because it is a "Touchy-feely" book. The illustrations are colorful and big and are attracting to the eyes. The book is fun to look at, feel and read.
Allows the baby to touch 6 body parts of the elephant and feel 6 different textures. Each patch feels uniquely different, so babies will have a field time exploring all of them. Can't wait to make memories with my baby through this book so that I can introduce him to the The parable of the Blind Men and an Elephant when he grows up!
I wanted more of a twist ending for this book. I would have loved if the elephant were in some way remarkable (like by being purple), but it wasn't my book to write or edit, so that's out of my hands. A subtle unlikely friendship story between a mouse and an elephant. The mouse looks through the herd for his elephant, but each elephant is has some feature that is "too" something. Touch-and-feel books are always a nice surprise.
Easily a solid 3 1/2 stars. I keep thinking it's not quite a 4 star, but I did thoroughly enjoy reading it.
The toddler I babysit loves this book! Elephants are one of her favorite animals too! She repeats after me that the elephant's whatever is "too rough, bumpy, squashy, etc". She likes to find the mouse on each page and say "squeak squeak". Overall adorable book, it is a fave!
Mabel like this book. She like the elephant mouse the best. I like the scratchy ears on the elephant which is on the front cover that was not the elephant of person writing a book.