Melissa & Doug Opens a New Chapter with Preschool Board Books

Together with Penguin Random House’s imprint Penguin Young Readers, Melissa & Doug has cooked up the first-ever collection of board books inspired by its classic wooden toys. 

Publishing Oct. 13, the inaugural lineup includes three titles for readers ages 2-5, each blending a beloved Melissa & Doug product with hands-on learning. Whether they’re lifting flaps, searching for toys, or chefing up their own stories, these books encourage preschoolers‘ curiosity, confidence, and critical-thinking skills while fostering a lifelong love of reading. The first three books are available for preorder now, with more titles slated to drop in 2027.  

Leading the collection is The Toy Kitchen Cookbook, an innovative board book created with award-winning chef Sohui Kim. Designed for use with toy food, the hardcover title features 16 pretend recipes that help young chefs practice sequencing, matching, and creative thinking skills as they mix up each kooky creation. The lineup also includes a search-and-find adventure starring Melissa & Doug toys and a lift-the-flap book inspired by the brand’s classic wooden blocks. 

“At Melissa & Doug, everything we create is grounded in the belief that purposeful play fuels imagination and lays the foundation for lifelong learning and development,” says Lauren DeFeo Duchene, President of Melissa & Doug and EVP at Spin Master. “In partnership with Penguin Young Readers, we are thoughtfully co-creating a series of books that extend the Melissa & Doug experience beyond toys, empowering children to explore, pretend, and build real-world skills. Each title is designed to spark curiosity and turn reading into a meaningful, shared experience that deepens family connection.”

The Melissa & Doug board book collection is available for preorder, with an official launch slated for Oct. 13. For more information about each title, visit penguinrandomhouse.com.