Congrats to this week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners featuring children’s books, toys, games + 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 May 24, 2020 to June 6, 2020.

Every week companies, inventors, and publishers from around the world send us their products for evaluation. Only the best earn our designation.

When Fred the Snake got Squished and Mended
Written by Peter Cotton; Illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire

The boy took his new pet snake, Fred, for a walk in town. Fred was excited when he saw a stripey barbers pole across the road, thinking it was another snake. He rushed across the road without looking, into the path of an ambulance. “With a horrible SCREECH, it wasn’t his fault, the driver did his best to halt, but, like most snakes, Fred had no brakes”. Fred was squished in two and became Fred-Fred. He had to be sewn back together by a rare thread, but his friends embarked on a journey to find this rare thread and sure enough Fred was manded.

“Then Fred washed, put on his jamas, just the leg part, not the armas, and curled up, having said his prayers, in his box beneath the stairs. As he fell asleep I heard Fred say, it’s been a very trying day. Tomorrow, when I cross the road, I won’t forget my crossing code. And nor will you, that’s my advice, lest you spell your name like Fred-Fred twice.”

Children’s Picture Books:
Bedtime Stories

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Tang Math Games – Home Kit

BUILD STRONG MENTAL MATH SKILLS AT HOME!

Tang Math Games have high math density where every moment is spent calculating and thinking mathematically, These games are so fun they’re addicting!

SKILLS DEVELOPED
Each activity teaches a critical skill or strategy while providing the repetition and practice required for mastery. The products are in alignment with the common core and will help achieve common core objectives. Most importantly, each stays true to the ideal that teaching and learning math should be interactive, clever & fun.

Our games focus on number bonds – also called fact families – and use multiple representations to model numbers, ten frames, place value, expanded form, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, identifying and forming equations, pattern recognition, money, fractions, measurement and conversions, composing and decomposing numbers, and more.

Educational Products:
Ages 5 to 8

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Strongsuit – The Tower of Self Esteem

A game for boosting self-confidence through a series of questions connecting the personal, emotional and social strength of each player, allowing them to recognize good virtues within themselves and others.

Does your child struggle with social anxiety or having trouble developing communication skills? Or maybe he or she has feelings of low self-esteem and confidence.

StrongSuit was developed as a social skills board game to help kids develop different skills and build self-esteem while having fun doing it.

Promotes Positivity, Teamwork & Personal Growth. Instills positive thinking with different question cards while building a tower with those same cards. An entertaining and fun team building game to teach children how to work together, be creative and inspire others to do great.

Using behavioral therapy games to instill positive mental thinking at such an early age is very beneficial for children once they grow older. Help them look past their own insecurities and learn about self-worth while seeing the value in others.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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Story Time Chess

Story Time Chess uses a storybook with fun, illustrated game piece characters to help kids as young as 3 years learn to play chess. For parents who don’t play the game, if you can read a story, you can learn and teach chess.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:

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Signature Sublime Full Coverage Maternity and Nursing Bra

The Sublime Full-Coverage Nursing Bra provides the seamless silhouette and comfortable support that pregnant and nursing women want. The fixed padding helps maintain a smooth shape and provides just the right amount of modesty, while the clip-down cups make for super convenient breastfeeding access. Available in a woven floral design, this ultra-soft, seamless bra is a favorite among our busty customers.

Gear & Accessories:
Clothing

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RIVAL 5 The Number Strategy Game

RIVAL 5 – The Number Strategy Game – is a “smart” game of skill and chance, for ages 9-99. Players compute with 12-sided dice to find a number that will help them get 5 chips in a row while blocking their opponents. This multi-level, progressive skill builder challenges players to more complex thinking with increased experience. RIVAL 5 incorporates STEM techniques and is easy to learn, quick to play and is a fun, intergenerational game for 2-6 players. It promotes universal, multicultural experiences with instructions in four languages on the box and an additional 35 at the website.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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Ricky the Rambunctious Raccoon
Written by Janice Spina; Illustrated by John Spina

Ricky is a rambunctious or very active raccoon who likes to wander around to find something new to eat. One night during his foraging for food Ricky runs into all kinds of trouble. Will Ricky get home safely? Will he learn his lesson to listen to his mother?

Juvenile Books (Level 1 – Ages 5 to 8):
Humor

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My Name is Stardust
Written by Bailey Harris
Douglas Harris; Illustrated by Natalie Malan; Edited by Benjamin Duffy

Yes! Everything in our solar system is made of stardust, including YOU! This beautiful scientific fact helps us understand our connection to the cosmos and everything in the world around us. A wondrous STEM book for children which explores the formation of our solar system, our planets, and evolution on our magnificent planet Earth. Written by a father daughter duo and edited by Dr. Eric Meikle, former Education Project Director at the National Center for Science Education, to include both science fact and wonderment. A full glossary of scientific terms are included at the back of the book. My Name is Stardust is fully illustrated in watercolor and is a beautiful book that gets children excited about science and their connection to the cosmos.

Children’s Picture Books:
Science & Technology

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Martina Maternity & Postpartum Support Crop Pocket Leggings

Your dream leggings have arrived: a sleek silhouette, premium material, and a place to put your phone and keys! So versatile and comfortable you may never want to take them off, these leggings are specifically engineered to support your tummy and hug your curves. Designed for all women, whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or beyond, the Martinas never lose their shape, even as your shape changes. With an ultra-high, stretchy waist panel that reaches up to the underbust, these leggings can fold down for increased support or stay up for extra coverage during pregnancy or while nursing. Plus, the cropped length means they look just as cute with flats as they do with sneakers (or slippers!).

Gear & Accessories:
Clothing

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Losing My Reflection
Written and illustrated by Kim Owen Mazur

Grief is a personal journey unique to you. This journal is for you to use as you see fit as you move through the emotional ups and downs of this “new” you. There are no page numbers, no order, no right or wrong way to use this book. Find an illustration that speaks to you, color it if you like, the use the blank space on the page to write your feelings, draw your feelings. Come back another day and write more if you choose as you move through grief.

Young Adult Books:
Self-Improvement

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Galileo! Galileo!
Written and illustrated by Holly Trechter, Jane Donovan

For hundreds of years, people have dreamed of Jupiter, the king of the planets. But the trip across the solar system is so long and dangerous that it seems almost impossible. This is the incredible, true story of NASA’s Galileo Mission. It’s narrated by the medieval genius Galileo, who connects with middle-grade readers in a humorous way. Strap in for this epic adventure of imagination, brilliance, and plain old grit!

Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Comic Books & Graphic Novels

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Franky the Thirsty Flamingo
Written by Wanda Luthman; Illustrated by Mara Reitsma; Edited by Traci Sanders

Franky the Thirsty Flamingo is about a flamingo who is searching for something to drink. He searches different places but when he finally finds what should be a beautiful pond, it is full of litter. Come on Franky’s journey as he searches for his favorite drink and help save our planet.

Children’s Picture Books:
Values & Life Lessons

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Flag Football with Tuckey the Nantucket Whale
Written by Captain Robert Cameron; Illustrated by Rod Cole

This book FLAG FOOTBALL WITH TUCKEY THE NANTUCKET WHALE is the 5th and newest of the Tuckey the Nantucket Whale children’s book series. It features SuperBowl Champion Coach Belichick doing the coin toss to kick off the game and much more.

Most of the sale proceeds from this book as well as the other four Tuckey the Nantucket Whale books are donated to HOMEBASE- a Boston Red Sox Foundation & Massachusetts General Hospital Partner- helping our Veterans suffering with PTSD and TBI.

From the Author:
The Tuckey the Nantucket Whale children’s book series has helped the Veterans, and also helped me the author. It keeps my mind active. I am suffering with a severe medical condition – having hardened blood on my brain which is shutting down my nervous system. I am in a trial drug regime administered by Mayo Clinic. I am being treated by doctors/specialists for this condition at Mayo Clinic, Harvard/Mass General, and Stanford. The Tuckey books are in a few school systems- integrated into their classroom curriculum- reading, writing & social skills. It has been such a great journey writing this series. And this fifth and last one FLAG FOOTBALL WITH TUCKEY THE NANTUCKET WHALE is another super children’s book.

Children’s Picture Books:

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Dreams of Zugunruhe
Written by Michael Kinsey, Ph.D.; Illustrated by Ros Webb

Here is an inspirational picture book that deals with the emotions that come with leaving home and doing the hard work of growing up. Human attachment is at the heart of this beautifully illustrated story that shows the ups and downs on the path to independence while highlighting relationships that make enduring adversity possible.

Dreams of Zugunruhe features a young Arctic tern who learns about the coming of Zugunruhe–the instinctual restlessness that starts birds on a harrowing migratory journey. The young tern’s mother both comforts and emboldens Little Tern as the two consider the voyage ahead. Charming and expressive illustrations enhance this beautiful conversation.

Children’s Picture Books:
Bedtime Stories

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Dakota, Help Me See the Light
Written by Mary Jane Hayes; Edited by Nancy Quatrano

When Gavin wakes up every day, his world has no light – he’s been blind since birth and struggles daily with his balance, sense of place, and fears about things his parents assure him are not to be feared. But how does a blind child cope with being unable to see for himself? His balance improves when he rides Dakota. Gavin thinks Dakota is doing a Downward Dog Yoga stretch, and his fears are conquered.

Juvenile Books (Level 1 – Ages 5 to 8):
Fiction – General

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Crazy Trains: The Game of Loco-Motion!

All Aboard for family fun!

Crazy Trains is the exciting new family board game where everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding the rails. Bringing new competitive board game components into the realm of nostalgic railroad culture, Crazy Trains combines quality construction, train-themed game pieces and specialty dice with compelling colors and graphics.

Crazy Trains puts you in the drivers seat of a four-car train headed to New York City. Be the first to safely guide you train into the Big Apple… and you WIN!

But it won’t be EASY! Along the way, you’ll face many challenges including Competitor Trains and Curly the Conductor, who’s going to make this the Craziest Trip Ever! Curly’s special Conductor Die must be rolled in addition to your dice of Coal, each roll bringing you closer OR farther away from your final Destination.

With your skills as an “Engineer” and a little luck, you’ll be unstoppable in your RACE to NYC! So hop aboard and Conduct your way to Fun!

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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CicaLux – Energized Scar Care

CicaLux helps new moms care for their c-section scars easily, get the best possible scar outcome, and feel great! C-section is a major surgery. The scarring process takes months, and poor healing can cause pain, itchiness, pulling, swelling, and result in an unpleasant red and raised scar for many unhappy moms.

CicaLux not only helps moms for c-sections, but it also helps with other surgeries like hysterectomies, tummy tucks, and breast reconstruction after cancer. It works on both new and old scars. CicaLux was developed in Europe and has won new mom product innovation awards in both France and the UK.

It is non-sticky, easy to wash and handle, does not pull on the underlying scar, and does not fall apart – it is robust and last over 60 days, and it does not roll up. CicaLux is a 60-day therapy kit – it lasts longer than any silicone sheet on the market while still being soft to the skin but robust in handling and use.

CicaLux not only offers superior compression + hydration therapy compared to basic silicone sheets, it also adds two complementary technologies – a special 2-way tension-relief tape, and a hand-crafted, natural stone (for providing soothing heat therapy and scar massage).

Personal Use Products (Skin Care, Health Care, etc.):
Women

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Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) Sit & Play

Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) Sit & Play is a hands-free, worry-free all-in-one intelligent monitor and edutainment system for toddlers and their family.

Available exclusively on the AILA Sit & Play device is our Original Series, Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA), featuring a fun and robust early preschool curriculum that centers around a fun-filled island with a group of animal friends ready to say hello, sing, read, dance, talk, and play games. The learning software receives FREE updates for all toddlers. No subscription is required.

The content has a comprehensive three-layered curriculum approach for early preschool learning in oral language, literacy, and math with a fun introduction to 21st Century skills (Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration), STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), and Social Emotional Learning, an important stepping stone for this age group.

In addition, we offer an intuitive parent mobile app, AILA Parent app, that connects parents to their child’s learning and doubles as a phone-based baby monitor. Another fun feature on the app allows parents to send a picture or video directly from their phone to the AILA Sit & Play device for their child’s enjoyment.

Educational Products:
Toddlers

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