Need a gift with a wow factor for that young child with a summer birthday or kindergarten graduation? These books offer hands-on play, and lots of art and interactive properties.

"Madeline 75th Anniversary Edition" by Ludwig Bemelmans; Viking Juvenile; 56 pages; $25.

To celebrate the 75th birthday of the beloved classic "Madeline," Viking is issuing a gift set complete with a beautifully slipcased anniversary story edition, plus a sturdy freestanding panoramic pop-up spread of Paris. Madeline's house pops up, as do all the familiar Paris landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower. Fans can then play with the diorama or display it as a tabletop decoration.

The perfect gift for any Madeline fan, young or old, this 75th anniversary set is tres chic.

"Maisy's Placemat Doodle Book," written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins; Candlewick; 104 pages; $11.99.

Mouse Maisy fans can color, doodle and draw until dinnertime with these 50 large-sized and tear-out pictures, which can then be used as placemats. On one page, tots can "draw the fruits and vegetables at the farm stand," and on another, they can draw elephant "Eddie's amazing new banana-patterned pants." With lots of colors and creative prompts for finishing pages, this doodle placement book is an ingenious way to keep small hands busy before lunch or dinner.

"Play-Doh in the Jungle" and "Play-Doh Under the Sea" by Susan Amerikaner; illustrated by Kara Kenna; from Silver Dolphin; 10 pages; $14.95 each.

Each of these play sets includes an oversized sturdy 10-page book plus four one1-ounce cans of Play-Doh. In "In the Jungle," a claymation story is featured, and at the bottom of each page are picture instructions on how to roll and concoct each of the five Play-Doh animals (from a giraffe to a lion) featured in the story.

"Under the Sea" tells an ocean-exploring tale about a friendly octopus. Kids can gaze at the self-explanatory directions and make the characters, including a shark, starfish, seahorse and clownfish, come to life with the enclosed Play-Doh.

Perfect birthday presents or accompaniments to vacations in the jungle or at the beach, the entire line of Play-Doh activity books is tactile and fun.

Play-Doh's "The Wheels on the Bus" is a colorful sing-along book, without accompanying dough, but with a musical button that plays the preschool classic. Many others are available, too, including "My First 100 Words: On the Move!" that features playful Play-Doh illustrations with word labels to help tots develop vocabulary skills.

"Design Line: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" by Chris Oxlade; illustrated by Mike Lemanski; Big Picture Press; 16 pages; $17.99.

This visual history of modern transportation features 100 iconic designs of rocket ships, double-decker buses, pirate ships, bicycles and the requisite racecars. Illustrated with a midcentury modern look, the book folds out to a 6-and-a-half-foot diorama that can stand alone. Each vehicle is also described on the back of the foldout, with details about what unique qualities it has brought to the transportation story.

A cool look at the fascinating evolution of transportation design, this gift book also includes a timeline to see how the story of moving vehicles has progressed.

"The Bear's Sea Escape" by Benjamin Chaud; Chronicle Books; 32 pages; $17.99.

"The Bear's Song" was applauded for its sweet tale and exciting seek-and-find elements. This follow-up sends Little Bear mistakenly off on a last-minute journey to a tropical island, with Papa Bear frantically on his heels. As in "The Bear's Song," Little Bear is featured on every long, tall page spread, and Papa Bear — and young readers — searches for him among busy, colorful, witty, funny and detailed scenes beneath the sea, on a bustling wharf and even on a busy, busy cruise ship.

Attractively designed with adorable details and hues, "The Bear's Sea Escape" is not to be missed.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.