When we were offered the chance to review the Train Convertible Book I jumped at it, as we already have the Spaceship, Boat and Fire Engine. Monkey received them as gifts for Christmas last year and we both love them. Anything which increases his imaginative play gets a big thumbs up in my book and the fact that they are compact is even better. We even took our copy on holiday with us!
The idea behind the book is simple, made from several pieces of sturdy thick cardboard and joined with fabric tape it can be assembled into the vehicle that the book is all about.
First of all we read the book. The train one talks about the running of a station, what trains get up to day to day, how signals work, the train depot, broken track and fallen trees. I did have to chuckle (commuters will probably join me) when the book mentions fallen leaves on the line! It sparked a lot of discussion around what trains are used for and expanded his vocabulary with words such as depot, signals and turntable. There are two simple sentences on each page, with the big enough words for Monkey to follow as I read.
He really enjoyed pointing out what the sentences were talking about as well, such as the bridges above. After we had read the book he was very eager to try out the train, to be a driver! Assembling it is easy, clear plastic straps attach one end of the book to another with velcro fastenings. The same straps hold up the front of the train. His face says it all, as he suddenly become a train driver chuffing around the tracks:
Once we got home from our holiday Monkey fetched a toy train and used the book as a play mat as well. Great for when there isn’t time to get the train track out!
Things we love
- Bright and colourful pictures that bring the subject matter alive
- That its not fiction, we have so many picture books it’s great for Monkey to learn more about trains before he pretends to be a train driver for the day
- It’s so versatile – a book, a play mat and a role play toy
- They are big enough to fit two 3 year old children in
- Helps to expand his vocabulary further
Things we are not so keen on
There isn’t anything we don’t like about the convertible book series, we now have four of these books and they have stood the test of time including two little boys fighting over who was going to drive the fire engine first!
They make fantastic Christmas presents for children aged 3-6 years old and there are ten different vehicles to choose from:
- Spaceship
- Fire Engine
- Pirate Boat
- Train
- Tractor
- Princess Carriage
- Pink Car
- Bulldozer
- Four-Wheel Drive
- School Bus
They retail at £17.99 but at the moment there is 20% off on the Miles Kelly Website here, making them £13.49 each.
What will be on your kiddies Christmas wish list this year?
24 Responses
Wow this looks really amazing! I wasn’t expecting it to be like that when the post started x
This convertible train looks like so much fun my sister would love it, especially since it is bright and a bonus for being educational. Great read x
Now that is brilliant. Would have never expected it to turn into a little train. Brilliant little invention. Hours of fun too xx
what a great multi-purpose toy. All littles seem to love boxes so this would be ideal. I will look at this for my nephew.
How clever! I’d not seen these before and it sure does bring a whole other feel to the story.
wow how amazing. I haven’t heard of this book series before. I know little J would love this especially as it turns in to a train. very clever
Wow, this is so cool! I’ve never seen a convertible book before – what a great idea. There are so many different ways to learn & play here. Great review hun! x
This looks really cool! Like others have said I’ve not seen a convertible book before! #TriedandTested
That’s an amazing book. Not only does it has a fab story but the track looks great for playing on and the buildable train is super cute!
My toddler LOVES trains atm, and this would be perfect. Thanks for a great review, I’m off to purchase one of these for her right now! x
They are very good and they do girlie options too 🙂 X
Always on the lookout for educational elements! Lol thanks for stopping by x
They really are brilliant! Thanks for stopping by x
Aw great 🙂 good discount at the moment too xx
They have lots of options too 🙂
Aw thanks 🙂 xx
They are great and there’s lots of options to choose from, thanks for stopping by xx
What an amazing idea – my son would love this! Wonder if they do a digger one – he is obsessed with diggers! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
Oh I have just had the fire engine one for Pickle – it looks amazing. Great review. Kaz x
They are a brilliant series would highly recommend xx
Aww thank you for the nice comment, hope she has lots of fun with it! Xx
They do a bulldozer one? 🙂
I am sure Pickle will love it. Monkeys favourite is still his fire engine version xx