This week’s Roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners is perfect for our #NationalReadingMonth Challenge! We’ve got everything from educational kids books for all ages, apps, family games and more! Be sure to scroll through the entire list so you don’t miss any of our new award-winners! All the items you see below won a Mom’s Choice Award during February 23, 2019 to March 2, 2019.
Every week companies, inventors, and publishers from around the world send us their products for evaluation. Only the best earn our designation.
YAB Helps You Navigate Middle School
Written by Krista Betcher; Illustrated by Kevin Cannon; Edited by Hanna Kjeldbjerg
You’re off to middle school! It’s a big change for you, and YAB is here to make the transition a breeze. Bringing expert advice to life with comic-book style illustrations, the words of wisdom and activities offered in YAB will become a new middle schooler’s toolkit for success.
Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Comic Books & Graphic Novels
Why Should I Walk? I Can Fly!
Written by Ann Ingalls; Illustrated by Rebecca Evans
A little bird, a big sky, and the first time out of the nest! A fledgling robin’s first flight is a gentle reminder about what we can accomplish if we just keep trying. Author Ann Ingalls sums it up this way, “All young creatures take risks, which is one of the reasons I think this story holds appeal for children—they take risks every day.” Rebecca Evans’ delightful illustrations capture the little bird’s struggles that ultimately lead to a joyful success. “Explore More” sections include additional information for kids, while teachers and parents will appreciate tips for fostering a growth mindset and read-aloud suggestions. STEM activities are also included.
Children’s Picture Books:
Distinctive Illustration
WHEW!
For fast-moving party and family fun, Whew! can’t be beat! The ultimate goal of this high energy board game is to be the last player or team left on the board. Under pressure of the timer, players must quickly come up with a word that matches either the beginning sound (green cards) or ending sound (red cards) of the word on the card just flipped. Part of what makes Whew! so exciting is that each turn requires several players to do this in rapid-fire succession. The moment a player jots down a valid word, pencil and paper are quickly passed so that the next player can attempt to do the same. This continues for as long as the timer is going. When it stops, the player holding the pencil must roll the die and move that many spaces closer to the dreaded ‘OUT’ zone. Other players can get towed along by the luck of the roll, so no one is completely safe. The excellent balance of skill and luck is one of the reasons Whew! plays so well across a broad range of ages. Includes game board, die, pad of paper, 6 game pieces, 41 cards, rule sheet, and free timer app download.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
What Does It Mean To Be American?
Written by Rana DiOrio, Elad Yoran; Illustrated by Nina Mata; Edited by Kelly Barrales-Saylor
While politics seem to divide our country into the two opposing teams of red and blue, one truth remains: we are all Americans. But what does that mean? This continuation of the popular What Does It Mean to Be…? series provides a nonpartisan point of view perfect for any and all Americans who are proud of who they are, and where they come from, regardless of their political views.
Children’s Picture Books:
Peoples, Places & Cultures
This Is Our Time
Sir Dapp & the Paw Prints album, “This is Our Time!” is now available! You’ll be grooving to cool tunes that will get parents and kids thinking about friendship, the power of the words, and how amazing and unique you really are!
The eleven-song album taps genres from rock, to pop to jazz, embracing fantasy and fun while reminding kids that the Golden Rule is cool. Though the band, “Sir Dapp & the Paw Prints” are a fictional, animated group, the real-life stars are seasoned voice artists Eli Jacobson of the a cappella group VoicePlay, and Rachel Potter of Steel Union, X-Factor, and Broadway.
Audio Experiences:
Ages 5 to 8
Teamson Kids – Fashion Polka Dot Prints Gisele Toy Vanity Set – White / Gold
Give your divas a collection of merchandise as unique as their personality with the Fashion Prints Collection. With exotic, bold patterns and colors, your diva is sure to leave an impression with their new furniture pieces. Give them something to rant and rave about today and be as creative as their imaginations will take them!
Miscellaneous:
Other
Sweet Neighbors Come in All Colors
Written by Lisa Blecker (Based on a song by Dick Grover); Illustrated by Finished Illustrations Lisa Blecker (Lisa Blecker & C. Aaron Kreader Collaborated on sketches); Edited by Publisher’s staff and Susan Engle, Layli Phillips, and Amanda Provost Sevak
Retailer Info: An ensemble of friendly fruit characters sing about their diversity of colors, shapes, and sizes. This title gives children the opportunity to explore early-learning concepts and offers families the chance to discuss ideas like unity and diversity. Includes sheet music and online link to the song’s recording.
Back of Book Info: Sing along with friendly fruit from the Farmers’ Market who come in diverse colors, shapes, and sizes. Young children will enjoy exploring what makes these neighbors different, the same, and all so lovable.
Children’s Picture Books:
Values & Life Lessons
Sir Dapp! Game Show
Entertainment and etiquette are unique partners with an animated silver-haired Schnauzer in the new “Sir Dapp! Game Show” app. In this fully-voiced app, children ages 5-8 choose from categories like “Sight What’s Polite,” “Historically Rude,” and “At the Table,” with the main canine character, Sir Dapp, guiding them to complete fun raps, decide “who did it?”, figure out what is polite or rude, and more. Of course there’s also fun “commercial” breaks for fictional ads, PSA’s touching on topics kids need to know about (going green, keeping it clean!), and music videos brought to you by Sir Dapp & the Paw Prints!
Who’s ready to play? Let’s GO!!!
Apps & Software:
Ages 5 to 8
Reindolphins: A Christmas Tale
Written by Kevin J. Brougher; Illustrated by Lisa Santa Cruz
A charming tale of Santa’s efforts to find animals to help deliver gifts during his ailing Reindeers’ (chicken pox!) absence is as amusing and heartwarming. The droves of applicants for the job must pass a test. This produces hilarious results. It turns out that having elephants land on your roof leads to unpleasant complications. Skunks, too, turn out to be less than optimal, as anyone with a nose will understand. We won’t spoil the fun by recounting the details of other tryouts. Let’s just say that hippos, bunnies, pigs, cats, monkeys, gorillas, otters, hyenas, chameleons and several other species do not make the cut. It turns out that dolphins, as the title implies, have the right stuff!
Children’s Picture Books:
Seasonal, Holidays & Festivals
Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer
Written by Diane Davies; Illustrated by CA Nobens; Edited by Nancy Crocker
Jeannie Ann is a typical six-year-old. When she learns her grandma has breast cancer, it brings up the fears, questions, emotions, and misunderstandings that come with facing a medical challenge. With her loving family by her side, Jeannie Ann learns about what cancer can bring – tumors, mastectomies, chemotherapy, pain, and loss, but also hope. Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer isa story written with honesty, love and understanding for children of all ages.
Children’s Picture Books:
Health & Safety
I Know You’re Here
Written by Krista Betcher; Illustrated by Kari Vick; Edited by Hanna Kjeldbjerg
I Know You’re Here is an everlasting message of hope after the loss of a loved one. Take a moment to pause and remember as you immerse yourself in the stunning watercolors and gentle words found within the book. I Know You’re Here is a treasured sympathy gift for both children and adults who are experiencing their own grief journey.
Children’s Picture Books:
Religion & Spirituality
I Do Not Want this on my Plate
Written by Jennifer Bisignano; Illustrated by Gaston Hauviller; Edited by Raquel Benatar
I Do Not Want This On My Plate, based on the many years the author has taught early childhood education, is about a girl who has a spoonful of green beans placed on her lunch plate for the first time. She does not want them there and gets upset. She cannot avoid the watery vegetables or eat around them. The caregiver’s rule is to try something new once. The child expands her trust in the caregiver and tastes the green beans. Children often learn from stories that are told multiple times. This is one of them! The book includes an educational page for parents and caregivers that provides some tips on how encourage children to try new foods. I Do Not Want This On My Plate has received the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Award, Honorable Mention, under the Picture Books 6 & Older category.
Children’s Picture Books:
Growing Up / Personal Growth
Hugpapa Dial-Fit 3-In-1 Hip Seat Baby Carrier
Hugpapa Dial-Fit 3-in-1 Hip Seat Baby Carrier is the first dial and lace-based micro-adjustment baby carrier in the world powered by BOA Technology. It is built for parents who want to hold their baby in a more practical and safe way with innovative adjustment system, lightweight materials, top-grade buckles and zippers for the baby’s safety.
Water and dirt-resistant fabric and an ergonomic design helps maintain a C-shape for the baby’s back and an M-shape for baby’s pelvis and a dual-structured soft cushioning hip seat for the baby’s comfort. Dial-Fit creates a healthier fit for you and your baby with just a few turns of the dial that simultaneously tighten shoulder straps at an even length, maintaining a left-right balanced sitting position for the baby, a C-shape for the baby’s back, and a proper gap between you and your baby. Also, it allows caregivers to take turns carrying the baby without the constant hassle of re-adjusting the fit for each body .
Gear & Accessories:
Safety
Home on the Rocking R Ranch
Written and illustrated by Connie Perez
Join Rusty, Rosie & Raspberry on their ranch adventures! Grab your boots and spurs and don’t forget your cowboy hat, as Connie Perez gives young readers a glimpse of ranch life through colorful illustrations and western adventures. This colorful children’s picture book introduces the day-to-day activities of life over the course of a year on a working cattle ranch in northeastern New Mexico, from the birth of calves to their transport to market. Included are vocabulary enrichment opportunities such as labels and a glossary.
Children’s Picture Books:
Domestic Animals & Pets
Here Comes Ingo
Written and illustrated by Odeta Xheka
Here Comes Ingo is a beautiful visual story that exemplifies a progression of thinking leading towards love, kindness and inclusion. At first, things may not seem to make much sense. After all, it is not every day that 4-8 year olds get to come face to face with a shark eating cupcakes with gusto or a merry band of birds & frogs piggybacking on a chubby fish. Yet, page after page of hand-crafted collages filled with fun details and wrapped in Disney-like colors encourage children to resist feeling discouraged or scared in front of the unexpected or the unknown.
What sets Here Comes Ingo apart from the rest of other wonderful picture books is the ability to present children with fairly sophisticated art concepts such as figurative art collage in a relatable way.
Juvenile Books (Level 1 – Ages 5 to 8):
Activities, Crafts & Hobbies ( Includes Puzzles & Games)
CARNAVAL — French Learning Songs
Embark on a musical celebration with this lively collection of French children’s songs from the award-winning series of Whistlefritz language programs for kids. Your French-learning journey begins with a tour of the French-speaking world in On parle français (We Speak French) and Tu habites où? (Where Do You Live?) The party continues with irresistible celebration-themed songs – Halloween, Thanksgiving, La chandeleur, La galette des rois, and Mother’s Day – that teach children vocabulary for the family, food, camping, seasons, and much more!
The songs are performed by award-winning French vocalist Rachel Sparrow and musician-composer Didier Prossaird. From calypso and reggae to New Orleans brass and Latin rhythms, the CD’s diverse musical styles are a carnaval for the ears with catchy melodies that kids will want to hear again and again. Lyrics, translations, and a vocabulary guide are available as an easy reference guide for parents and teachers. Join the Carnaval and you’ll be singing along in French in no time!
Educational Products:
Preschoolers
BLAM!
With six exciting ways to play, BLAM! puts countless hours of action-filled fun within reach at all times! Each of the game variations is easy to learn and plays extremely well across a broad range of ages, making BLAM! a wonderful fit for parties and family gatherings. While the play alternatives vary considerably, the common thread consists of players forming and playing sets of between 3 and 6 cards in which the number displayed on each card also represents a distinct attribute present is in the set (color, shape, number on the card, or number of cards). Children and adults quickly develop a taste for creating BLAMs! and the pleasure that comes from racking up points, beating others to the draw, and having a rollicking good time! Includes 63 cards, 1 die, 2 BLAM! example sheets, rules for 6 games, and a free timer app!
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
