Toy and Movable Books
Subject & Descriptive Cataloging | Children’s and Young Adults’ Cataloging Program (CYAC)
What are Toy and Movable books?
The Library of Congress follows special guidelines for works we identify as Toy and Moveable Books. These are materials in unique formats that involve reader participation such as moving illustrations, pushing buttons to play songs, or manipulating the book in various other ways. They are also called “action books” or “special effects books.” Toy and movable books is the general subject heading used for these types of books, so they are easy to find in online catalogs. You may also be able to search by subject headings for specific types of toy and moveable books such as : Scented books; Lift-the-flap books; and Musical books.
A full instruction sheet on Toy and Movable books can be accessed at our Children's and Young Adults’ Cataloging Manual PDF Files: https://www.loc.gov/aba/publications/FreeCYAC/freecyac.html
Examples of Toy and Movable Books
Board Books
Board books feature a cover and inside pages that are of the same sturdy paper-over-board construction and minimal binding. These materials are considered toy and movable books when they require additional reader interaction. Instructions for cataloging board books without toy and movable aspects are found in C 700 Specialized Formats
Toy and movable board books may be described in a note. Examples:
500 ## $a On die-cut board pages with clock face and hands appearing through all pages.
500 ## $a On board pages shaped like a school bus, with plastic wheels that turn.
Use the appropriate LCSH and CSH subject headings for Board books as well as the general subject heading Toy and movable books and the appropriate LCGFT. Example:
650 #0 $a Toy and movable books $v Specimens. 650 #0 $a Board books. 650 #1 $a Toy and movable books. 650 #1 $a Board books. 655 #7 $a Toy and movable books. $2 lcgft
Glow-in-the-Dark Books
Books with pages that glow in the dark should be cataloged as any other. Include a note explaining this aspect, if needed:
500 ## $a Each illustration incorporates glow-in-the-dark images.
500 ## $a Plastic stars attached to back cover glow in the dark.
Include the following subject heading:
650 #0 $a Glow-in-the-dark books $v Specimens. 650 #1 $a Glow-in-the-dark books. 650 #1 $a Toy and movable books. 655 #7 $a Glow-in-the-dark books. $2 lcgft 655 #7 $a Toy and movable books. $2 lcgft
Pop-up Books
Books with illustrations engineered to stand up as pages are turned are called pop-up books. Catalog these as any other books, and include a note about the illustrations, if needed.
500 ## $a Includes pop-up illustration of a decorated Christmas tree. 500 ## $a Consists chiefly of pop-up illustrations, some triggered by pulls.
It is also acceptable to incorporate the pop-up aspect into the summary. Examples:
520 ## $a Teddy Bear, Puppy Dog, Baby Bird, Daisy Dolly and Kitty Cat are playing in the garden, inviting the reader to see which pop-up character is hiding behind each flap.
520 ## $a Pop-up illustrations and easy-to-read text emphasize that the listener is loved, for being a burst of joy, the colors of the rainbow, and more.
Use the appropriate LCSH and CSH subject headings for Pop-up books as well as the general subject headings for toy and movables and appropriate LCGFT. Example:
650 ## $a Pop-up books $v Specimens. 650 #1 $a Pop-up books. 650 #1 $a Toy and movable books. 655 #7 $a Pop-up books. $2 lcgft 655 #7 $a Toy and movable books. $2 lcgft
Additional Examples
For examples of Scented books, Sound books, Split-page books, Textured books, 3-D books, Books with holographic or lenticular illustrations, Light-up books, Puzzle books, Sticker books and Toy books, See instruction sheet C 96 (Toy and Movables)
