Hats off to Dr. Seuss!

Fifty years ago, Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, forever changed the way children learned to read—with the help of a rhyming, mischievous and crafty cat. This spring, Random House, New York, is celebrating The Cat in the Hat with an anniversary edition of the classic as well as the release of The Annotated Cat, an illustrated look at one of the most popular kids' series of all time.

In addition, the publisher has launched a national marketing campaign to bring together retailers, librarians, teachers and community leaders, as well as promoting literacy with the National Education Association's Read Across America program and with the First Book organization.

Toy licensees—such as Small World Toys, Los Angeles, and San Francisco-based University Games—are also getting in on the action in 2007 with the release of new Cat in the Hat product for babies and preschoolers, including board games, puzzles, plush, developmental toys and children's accessories.

University Games is re-launching its classic Cat in the Hat preschool game (pictured), which promotes early reading skills, to promote the anniversary of the book, as well as introducing a new Cat title in its 2007 Dr. Seuss puzzle assortment. "The Cat in the Hat Game has a bright new package to celebrate its 10th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the original book," University Games president Bob Moog tells Playthings. "Now in its 15th printing, the game has sold more than 400,000 copies."

Small World Toys' new Seuss offerings include the interactive Rhyme Time Cat in the Hat plush doll, activated by sound or touch (pictured), and the unique Turn and Learn Talk Blocks for ages 2 and up.

Cat in the Hat plush, finger puppets and hand puppets from Manhattan Toy, though not new for 2007, will continue to be widely marketed this year, retailers say, as will a selection of kids' stationery from Peaceable Kingdom Press, Berkeley, Calif. The kids' gift publisher will also debut its new Dr. Seuss Match Up Puzzle Game this year (pictured).