Abstract: The present invention relates to children's books and, more particularly, to a book with a mechanical sound producing component that is integral to the book. The book includes at least one page having a page frame component and a movable page component that is movable with respect to the page frame component. A movable sound producing component is attached with one or both of the page frame component and the movable page component, such that the movable sound producing component is positioned between the page frame component and the movable page component. The movable sound producing component is movable with respect to the page frame component, such that movement of the movable sound producing component causes the movable sound producing component to movably engage with one or both of the page frame component and the movable page component to create a mechanically produced sound.

Abstract: Described is a board that is operable as a children's book or puzzle with parts that move, slide or turn on one lateral plane to physically change an illustration or part of the item and, as they slide or turn, activate a noise related to the illustration. The board includes a generally planar top illustrative layer. A bottom base layer is attached with the top illustrative layer. The bottom base layer includes a sensor (e.g., light or touch sensor) and sound generation components for generating a sound based upon actuation of the sensor. A moving component is movably connected with the bottom base layer. Finally, the sensor is connected with the bottom base layer and positioned such that moving the moving component from a first position to a second position exposes the sensor to cause the sound generation components to generate a sound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to children's books and, more particularly, to a book with a mechanical sound producing component that is integral to the book. The book includes at least one page having a page frame component and a movable page component that is movable with respect to the page frame component. A movable sound producing component is attached with one or both of the page frame component and the movable page component, such that the movable sound producing component is positioned between the page frame component and the movable page component. The movable sound producing component is movable with respect to the page frame component, such that movement of the movable sound producing component causes the movable sound producing component to movably engage with one or both of the page frame component and the movable page component to create a mechanically produced sound.

Abstract: Described is a board that is operable as a children's book or puzzle with parts that move, slide or turn on one lateral plane to physically change an illustration or part of the item and, as they slide or turn, activate a noise related to the illustration. The board includes a generally planar top illustrative layer. A bottom base layer is attached with the top illustrative layer. The bottom base layer includes a light sensor and sound generation components for generating a sound based upon actuation of the light sensor. A moving component is movably connected with the bottom base layer. Finally, the light sensor is connected with the bottom base layer and positioned such that moving the moving component from a first position to a second position exposes the light sensor to cause the sound generation components to generate a sound.

Abstract: Described is a board that is operable as a children's book or puzzle with parts that move, slide or turn on one lateral plane to physically change an illustration or part of the item and, as they slide or turn, activate a noise related to the illustration. The board includes a generally planar top illustrative layer. A bottom base layer is attached with the top illustrative layer. The bottom base layer includes a sensor (e.g., light or touch sensor) and sound generation components for generating a sound based upon actuation of the sensor. A moving component is movably connected with the bottom base layer. Finally, the sensor is connected with the bottom base layer and positioned such that moving the moving component from a first position to a second position exposes the sensor to cause the sound generation components to generate a sound.

Abstract: Described is a board that is operable as a children's book or puzzle with parts that move, slide or turn on one lateral plane to physically change an illustration or part of the item and, as they slide or turn, activate a noise related to the illustration. The board includes a generally planar top illustrative layer. A bottom base layer is attached with the top illustrative layer. The bottom base layer includes a light sensor and sound generation components for generating a sound based upon actuation of the light sensor. A moving component is movably connected with the bottom base layer. Finally, the light sensor is connected with the bottom base layer and positioned such that moving the moving component from a first position to a second position exposes the light sensor to cause the sound generation components to generate a sound.

Abstract: Described is a children's book that includes a handle that is bound with the book. The book includes at least two leaves, such as a front cover and a rear cover, with a cord that is attached with the two leaves. The cord passes through a handle mechanism to bind the handle mechanism with the binding of the book, thereby allowing a child to carry the children's book through us of the handle mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a learning apparatus, and more particularly, to a learning apparatus with a housing that includes a means for storing and producing a sound stored therein. The learning apparatus further comprises an interchangeable learning card with a hole therethrough and a means for activating in operable communication with the means for storing and producing a sound. The location of the hole on the card corresponds to a location of the means for activating such that when the interchangeable learning card is attached with the housing, the hole on the card permits a user to activate a desired means for activating, resulting in a sound being produced.

Abstract: A soft book comprised of foam pages bound by a book binding portion and a plurality of page binding portions is presented. A front cover page, a rear cover page, and at least one page, each having a perimeter, are provided, with the pages forming a spine portion, with the book bound such that at least a portion of the perimeter each page is approximately flush with the binding portions. The pages of the book may include impressions or cutouts that may be made in various shapes. Cutouts may provide a puzzle-type game for children. Various binding materials may be used, preferably chosen to provide sufficient support for the flexible foam pages.

Abstract: A concertina-bound foam-based book is presented, comprising a plurality of foam pages, each having a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is opposite the second edge on each page, and the pages are bound along their first edges and second edges in a concertina fashion with a water-resistant binding means. When fully opened, the concertina-bound foam-based book opens as a string of pages and such that when closed, the pages of the concertina-bound foam-based book form a stack of pages. A variety of specific binding means and binding materials may be used in conjunction with the present invention. A method for making the concertina-bound foam-based book of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A book cover for retaining objects is presented including a front panel and back panel hingedly connected to form a book cover. A window extends outward from the front panel in the book cover, forming an enclosure for retaining objects between the cover and a surface proximate to the cover. The window can be clear, displaying the objects held in place thereby, and the book cover may include a closure mechanism to prevent the window from opening and letting the pieces out. The book cover may also be incorporated into an educational activity book comprising a front panel and a back panel connected to form a book cover. Puzzle pieces may be provided in one embodiment for inclusion in the cover of the book in order to assist in teaching children object association and enhancing their coordination.

Abstract: A concertina-bound foam-based book is presented, comprising a plurality of foam pages, each having a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is opposite the second edge on each page, and the pages are bound along their first edges and second edges in a concertina fashion with a water-resistant binding means. When fully opened, the concertina-bound foam-based book opens as a string of pages and such that when closed, the pages of the concertina-bound foam-based book form a stack of pages. A variety of specific binding means and binding materials may be used in conjunction with the present invention. A method for making the concertina-bound foam-based book of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A vinyl lace and bead bound foam-based book is presented herein. The foam book includes a plurality of soft pages made from a foam material stacked together to form a book. The foam pages if the book are perforated with at least one hole therethrough, with a vinyl lace and bead binding retaining the pages at each hole with the vinyl strip of the binding passed through the hole in the pages and the hole in the bead. The vinyl strip is knotted in such a way that the bead and the pages are held by the vinyl strip, whereby the pages may be held in a book-like fashion with the vinyl strip forming a loop-type binding.

Abstract: A soft book comprised of foam pages bound by a book binding portion and a plurality of page binding portions is presented. A front cover page, a rear cover page, and at least one page, each having a perimeter, are provided, with the pages forming a spine portion, with the book bound such that at least a portion of the perimeter each page is approximately flush with the binding portions. The pages of the book may include impressions or cutouts that may be made in various shapes. Cutouts may provide a puzzle-type game for children. Various binding materials may be used, preferably chosen to provide sufficient support for the flexible foam pages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stuffed toy with an integral book. Generally, the stuffed toy includes a body portion with a pack portion for fixedly securing the book to the body portion and a means for keeping the pack portion closed, when desired. The stuffed toy and the integral book is preferably adapted for use by young children. However, both the stuffed toy and the book may be tailored so that the invention may be used by adults as a note pad, a photo album, or a small dryers type pad. In a further embodiment, the pack portion may be adapted as an enclosure portion for securing a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone or a personal digital assistant. Pockets or other securing means may also be provided to allow for the storage of pens, or other objects in the stuffed toy.

Abstract: A book cover for retaining objects is presented including a front panel and back panel hingedly connected to form a book cover. A window extends outward from the front panel in the book cover, forming an enclosure for retaining objects between the cover and a surface proximate to the cover. The window can be clear, displaying the objects held in place thereby, and the book cover may include a closure mechanism to prevent the window from opening and letting the pieces out. The book cover may also be incorporated into an educational activity book comprising a front panel and a back panel connected to form a book cover. Puzzle pieces may be provided in one embodiment for inclusion in the cover of the book in order to assist in teaching children object association and enhancing their coordination.

Abstract: A cloth shape for children comprising a core, a flexible cloth housing, at least one pocket in the housing and the core, at least one object that can be placed inside the pocket of the cloth shape, and a string connecting the at least one object with the cloth shape. A bell may be inserted within the housing of the cloth shape. The cloth shape may resemble a ball, a cube or a pyramid. The soft object may be a stuffed animal.

Abstract: A soft book comprised of foam pages bound by a book binding portion and a plurality of page binding portions is presented. A front cover page, a rear cover page, and at least one page, each page may which may have a perimeter, are provided, with the pages forming a spine portion, with the book bound such that a portion of the perimeter each page may extend beyond the binding portions to provide a soft perimeter for the book so that it is safe, particularly for children. The pages of the book may include impressions or cutouts that may be made in various shapes. Cutouts may provide a puzzle-type game for children. Various binding materials may be used, preferably chosen to provide sufficient support for the flexible foam pages.