Play Smart Baby ABC and 123 NAPPA Awards Winner 2026 Announcement
- Gakken Books Team
- 9 hours ago
- 1 min read
"Play Smart Baby ABC" and "Play Smart Baby 123" were released on January 6, 2026, primarily in North America and Southeast Asia, and have recently been honored with the prestigious NAPPA (National Parenting Products Awards) in North America.
The illustrations in these books are created by Satoshi Iriyama, a renowned children’s book author and illustrator with over 11 million copies sold worldwide.
His works have captivated readers across the globe by nurturing kindness and compassion in children and helping them develop a sense of empathy.
The sophisticated visuals—bright and colorful yet free from distractions—capture children's attention while creating an environment where they can stay focused and engaged in learning.
What NAPPA Judges Said
“One feature I particularly liked is that each letter includes directional tracing lines, allowing children to follow along with their fingers to begin learning how letters are written. This adds an interactive component to what could otherwise be a simple alphabet book.”
“Younger babies and toddlers can enjoy the colorful pictures while being introduced to numbers and counting, while slightly older children can begin tracing the numbers to learn how they are written. The party theme keeps the content cohesive and easy to understand, and the clear illustrations make it easy to count the objects on each page together.”
“The sturdy board book format and interactive tracing feature make this a book that can grow with a child over time, supporting early literacy in a fun and approachable way.”
Play Smart Baby ABC & 123
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