Kohl's Department Stores offer custom editions of books by renowned children's author and illustrator Eric Carle: "Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too?" "The Lamb and the Butterfly," "The Secret Birthday Message," and "From Head to Toe." Kohl's is also offering exclusive corresponding plush stuffed toys including a kangaroo with joey, sheep and lamb, golden retriever and puppy, and gorilla and baby.

As part of its "Kohl's Cares for Kids" program, Kohl's stores across the nation will feature the exclusive items for $5 each with 100 percent of the net profits benefiting children's health and educational opportunities in Kohl's communities nationwide. The items will also be available online.

Kohl's has provided University of Iowa Children's Hospital with more than $715,000 over the past five years to underwrite programs such as the University of Iowa Children's Hospital and Kohl's Health and Safety Initiatives, Starbright World, Reach Out and Read, CarePage Service, the hospital tutor program and its renovated pediatrics classroom, family-centered care initiatives, and community outreach projects.

"We are so proud to offer these playful plush parent-and-baby animal pairs to our customers along with a wonderful selection of vibrant books by author and illustrator Eric Carle," said Julie Gardner, senior vice president of marketing for Kohl's. "By sharing these fun books with their children, shoppers will help raise millions of dollars to benefit children nationwide."

Featuring brilliant illustrations in Carle's trademarked artistic style, these books share classic messages about family and friends while also encouraging the development of cognitive and physical skills like word recognition, shape recognition and simple body movements.

In addition to supporting children's health and educational opportunities, the "Kohl's Cares for Kids" program features a gift card fundraising opportunity for local schools and nonprofit youth groups, the "Kohl's Kids Who Care" program, which recognizes kids who contribute through volunteerism to their local communities, and the associate volunteer program, which encourages volunteerism to benefit local youth-focused nonprofit organizations.

Based in Menomonee Falls, WI., Kohl's is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced national and exclusive brand apparel, shoes, accessories, and home and beauty products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl's operates 732 stores in 41 states.

University of Iowa Children's Hospital at UI Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City is the state's longest-serving children's hospital. More than 140,000 children receive care at University of Iowa Children's Hospital and its statewide network of outreach clinics each year.

For more information:

University of Iowa Children's Hospital

Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Kids Who Care® Recognition Program