This week’s Roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features books, games activities and more just in time for the Holidays! 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 November 17, 2019 to November 30, 2019.
Every week companies, inventors, and publishers from around the world send us their products for evaluation. Only the best earn our designation.
Traveling Tutus
Traveling Tutus Inc is a 501c3 organization that donates new and gently used dancewear to children around the world. Traveling Tutus primarily donates to children in orphanages, children’s homes, title-one schools, foster care, hospitals, or to other non-profits with a focus on children. We donate internationally as well as domestically.
At Traveling Tutus, we believe unneeded costumes and dance attire are a precious resource that can be repurposed to bring joy to children all around the world. By collecting, packaging, and shipping those no longer needed items, we are allowing children all over the world to experience one of life’s greatest joys, DANCE!
Miscellaneous:
Philanthropic Product/Service
Snuggle ‘n Hug
Snuggle ‘n Hug friends, from Snap Toys, make playtime an awesome huggable experience. These funny, cuddly, artic friends are in serious need of a hug. After all, it’s so cold where they come from that they’ll beg you for a hug with open arms. Who can resist that?
Kids can choose between four animals; Arctic Bunny, Walrus, Penguin, and Polar Bear. Each has different voices and funny phrases to show their unique personalities; penguin is just sweet and shy, walrus is a bit wacky and goofy, the polar bear is all about boyish charm and artic bunny is a bit hyper with a no-nonsense attitude.
When kids are not laughing with the Snuggle ‘n Hug, they can snuggle with their new huggable friends to make sure they’re warm and cozy. Snuggle ‘n Hug are great companions that encourage children to engage in nurturing behavior — practicing empathy and an overall “feel good” experience.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Preschoolers
SEE THE SEA: —
Written and illustrated by Alese & Morton Pechter
Jamie, the angelfish, searches the beautiful underwater world for a shark. Along the way, she encounters many of her friends. While she travels we read aloud and enjoy the magnificent photos and exciting fish life as the children imagine they, too, are snorkeling above them. In rhyming, playful text, we discover facts about the fishes rainbow like coloring, eating habits strange shapes and actions that help protect them. Parents and children will find themselves gliding peacefully over the ocean floor experiencing this amazing adventure
Juvenile Books (Level 1 – Ages 5 to 8):
Non-Fiction – General
Nageuret Infant Reusable Swim Diaper
Introducing Nageuret Reusable Baby Swim Diapers by Beau & Belle Littles:
- Waterproof, adjustable, reusable swim diapers that fit any infant between 6-35 lbs (3-16kg); waist 7.75in.-19.5in (20cm-50cm), legs 5.5in-10in. (14cm-26cm)
- Also available in a large size that that fits any toddler/preschooler between diaper sizes 4 through 7; 20-55 lbs (13kg-21kg); waist 11in-24in (28cm-61cm), legs 10in-18in. (25.4cm-45.72cm)
- One-size swim diaper(s) with snaps that adjust around the waist and abdomen offering three different sizes of width and length of the reusable swim diaper.
- Designed to keep solids in the swim diaper and keep others safe from accidents.
- Waterproof outer fabric made from 100% PUL polyester and features cute unisex patterns so your little Beau or Belle can swim in style.
- Internal Polyester mesh designed for easy washing and baby comfort.
Gear & Accessories:
Clothing
Monogamy A Hot Affair…With Your Partner! Adult Board Game
It is well known after couples welcome babies into their relationship,
the intimacy with their most loved one can be placed on a back burner.
Jane and Richie Bowles weren’t going to accept this situation and when struggling to find intimate time together after the birth of their two children, invented a board game to help keep the intimacy and passion in their relationship.
Monogamy’s focus is re-kindling that initial desire and intimacy, but most importantly making time for each other, which is all too easy to forget.
Monogamy is a fun and easy way of staying in touch with each other intimately, even after the stress and pressure of bringing a child into the world. Life can easily get in the way, so by making the time to play Monogamy together you will not only automatically reconnect but you will enjoy that tummy tingling feeling you had when you first met by gradually building the sexual tension throughout the game.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Adults
Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids
Are your kids bored with Apple 2 Apples, and too young for Cards Against Humanity?
Kids Against Maturity fills that empty gap with age-appropriate toilet humor for the whole family to enjoy. Poopy fart humor for the kids… and funny innuendos for the adults. It truly is the best game for both worlds!
Are you ready to make family game night great again!?
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12
Kibby the Space Dog?: Second Edition
Written by Andrea Cassell; Illustrated by Melanie Regier; Edited by NA
Kibby is an adorable, miniature labradoodle that experiences something we all experience at one point in our lives…rejection.
When Kibby has to wear the “cone of shame” due to stitches, children are reluctant to get near him and other dogs ignore him. He is an unhappy dog and really dislikes wearing the cone and its effect on his once joyful life.
Along his journey to recovery, Kibby discovers things that will inspire children to accept who they are and accept others who are different. He learns the importance of not judging others for the way they look.
Kibby’s real life experience inspired this beautifully illustrated picture book, which communicates to children that it’s okay to be different. Author and special education teacher Andrea Cassell hopes that children will celebrate similarities in each other, rather than focus on the differences.
Children’s Picture Books:
Values & Life Lessons
Kibby Gets a Little Sister!: Second Edition
Written by Andrea Cassell; Illustrated by Melanie Regier Koop
Sometimes it can be challenging when a new baby joins the family.
Such is the case for Kibby, a miniature labradoodle who is enjoying his status as the only dog until his mom brings home a little sister—Olive.
Kibby misses all the attention that his parents now shower on Olive, so he decides to act up. He jumps on the furniture, tears up the papers, and unravels the toilet paper. But they still dote more on Olive.
A trip to Doggy Day Care changes everything. Kibby notices that Olive doesn’t know how to play and that elicits his sympathy. He teaches her how to join in and soon discovers that it’s fun to play together.
Kibby and Olive illustrate the challenges, experiences, and rewards that a family may encounter when a new baby enters the picture. For Kibby, there was a period of adjustment, but once again, life is wonderful!
Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life
Kibby & Olive Move To Georgia
Written by Andrea Cassell; Illustrated by Melanie Regier Koop
COMING SOON! Moving to a new city can be quite an adjustment for children. They react differently when faced with this new change.
This endearing story explores Kibby and Olive’s feelings of sadness after moving to a new place. Their adventure will show children the beauty of moving, making new friends and keeping in touch with the old ones. There is so much to explore in this wonderful world. Let the adventure begin!
Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life
I’ll Always Clap For You
Written by T Lynn; Illustrated by Marty Peterson
What comfort can be offered to a child when a loved one passes on? I’ll Always Clap for You is the lighthearted and heartwarming story of how the unconditional love and support we receive in childhood lasts forever.
Children’s Picture Books:
Inspirational / Motivational
Green Kid Crafts STEAM Subscription Boxes
Green Kid Crafts’ products delight kids each month with creative, nature-based STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) delivered to them monthly through our company’s subscription program.
Every month’s package is packed with up to 6 science and art kits designed by teachers and STEAM experts to foster a child’s creativity and confidence while helping to raise the nation’s next generation of creative leaders.
Each box includes a 12-page STEAM activity magazine and achievement badges.
They help to ensure that our educational toys, educational crafts, and STEAM kits are fun, creative, educational, and age appropriate. Our test crew of kids make sure each project is engaging, unique, fun, and universally appealing.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8
Flying With kindness
Written by Eric Simmons; Illustrated by Blueberry; Edited by Scribendi
Sibling rivalry, a cranky little boy, and a frustrated mother could be any parent’s typical day.
“Flying With Kindness”, is a deeply moving story and travel adventure to the Grand Canyon.
It’s a book about a boy name Basil and the normal sibling rivalry with his younger sister, Ava. Basil has a strong personality. In addition, kindness doesn’t seem to come natural for Basil.
Basil’s parents are trying to teach him the importance of kindness. He thinks kindness is too much work. By chance, Basil’s family meets an old lady, an encounter which set up a chain of events and teachable moments in kindness.
This is a great read aloud for parents needing to help their children learn to get along and share. This book is especially for young toddlers and written for ages 2-8 years old. Your child will want you to read this over and over again.
Children’s Picture Books:
EverBright Kids
Written by Everbright Media; Illustrated by Jeff Hanson; Edited by Heidi Weber
EverBright Kids is a new magazine that’s designed to take kids on a journey to learn about the world around them! It features wild & wonderful animals, creative arts & crafts, super-fun science projects, kid-friendly recipes, fascinating history stories, character-building tips, amazing geographic exploration, helpful money lessons, entertaining activities, and so much more!
Children’s Picture Books:
Activities, Crafts & Hobbies ( Includes Puzzles & Games)
Darsh and Mr. Mahua Become Friends
Written by Emma Carson; Illustrated by Ryan Lotocki; Edited by Nikki Groom
Darsh, a young Indian boy, is having a terrible day. Getting picked on at school and his parents not seeing his tears, he chooses to run away. He meets Mr. Mahua who becomes a life long friend and teaches him to see the good in all bad situations.
This book was illustrated by a first time graphic artist Ryan Lotocki who was fourteen at the time. He stepped out of his comfort zone, tried something new and created magic!
Juvenile Books (Level 1 – Ages 5 to 8):
Inspirational / Motivational
Chalk of the Town Chalkboard T-Shirt
Design your own T-Shirt – over and over again! Draw with the included chalk markers, wait a few minutes for the ink to dry and you have a custom, smudge-free design! Change your mind? Simply erase with water and draw again.
Chalks of the Town chalkboard T-shirts are an amazing way for a budding artist to share their personal style. For wordsmiths, these clever T-shirts provide a new way to share quotes and expressions with others.
The kit includes one soft 100% cotton T-shirt, 3 water-based non-toxic chalk markers, an erasing cloth and a stencil. Machine washable & reusable.
Arts, Crafts & Hobbies:
Ages 5 to 8
Busy Baby Mat
The Busy Baby Mat is the first-ever 100% FDA-approved food-grade silicone placemat that enables caregivers to attach baby’s toys, pacifier and sippy cup to it using a proprietary tether system that will keep baby’s things within reach & germ free.
The Patented Busy Baby Mat and Tethers are made from FDA approved silicone that is BPA, BPS, PVC and Phthalate free.
- Flexible, easy to store material
- Quick and easy to wipe down and is dishwasher safe
- Tested for all safety standards for kids under the age of three
- Does not support the growth of fungus, mold or bacteria, so it’s perfect for all those yummy snacks
- Comes with a washable cloth sleeve so you can roll up the mat, slide it into the sleeve and place it your diaper bag for easy transport. Throw the sleeve in the laundry and the Busy Baby Mat and Tethers in the dishwasher and it’s ready to go for the next outing.
Gear & Accessories:
Miscellaneous
Bird Kid
Written by Carl Owens; Illustrated by Rully Akbar; Edited by Seda Aybay
Bird Kid is the story of a young boy’s struggle against school bullies.
PHILLIP “PILL” ANDERSON, 10 years old, has just moved to a new city, from Albuquerque, New Mexico and is reluctant to start his first day at a new school. Successfully surviving algebra and GIRLS, he isn’t halfway home when he bumps into 14 year olds, DAWG and CHAIN.
Quickly taunting him about his hometown name and lackluster math skills, they mercifully let him go. At home, he refuses to discuss his day with his loving single MOM.
The bullies aren’t far away, but soon, Pill will find he has a protector… who’s not entirely human.
Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Comic Books & Graphic Novels
Annie’s Tale: Belden’s Girl
Written by P.J. HarteNaus; Edited by Carol Harte, Kelly Scrima
Meet Annie Clark from Minnesota. She and her pa have left their home to live with Grandpa in the Mississippi valley.
Grandpa is soft in the head, as they say, and needs help running his farm. Annie has a disability, but it has it never stops her. She loves to draw just about anything she can see with her one good eye. She helps Pa with the farm chores and looks after Grandpa. And fishing? Annie can fish out a stream in no time, better than any boy around. Pa says she’s “mighty strong for a girl” and most of the time, she believes him.
Can Annie make a difference as she struggles with friendships and family? Can she handle whatever comes her way? Read Annie’s Tale to find out if she truly is a “mighty strong” girl!
The award-winning Belden Boy series has touched the lives of thousands of children over the years. Set in the 1800’s, its anti-bullying message is timeless and relatable today to children who are victims, bystanders, even bullies.
Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Historical Fiction
One Comment on “Weekly Roundup: Award-Winning Holiday Gift Ideas! 11/17 – 11/30”
These are awesome gifts!! THanks!!