This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features award-winning books, apps, games, toys + 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 August 23, 2020 to August 29, 2020.

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

When A Virus Takes Over the World
Written by Patricia A. Brill, PhD; Illustrated by Curt Walstead

When a Virus Takes Over the World was written to help children understand the impact a virus can have on them and their loved ones and teaches them how they can take preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus.

Children have most likely heard about the virus pandemic. However, limiting information from them may create additional worry and feelings of being scared. One way to reduce their concerns is to provide them with simple and honest information.

This book offers parents an opportunity to let children express their concerns about virus outbreaks and help answer any questions that may have. Using animals as a reference point can help children relate to issues not only related to their pets but other life issues.

Children’s Picture Books:
Growing Up / Personal Growth

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The Highlights Book of Things to Do: Discover, Explore, Create, and Do Great Things
Written and illustrated by Highlights

The Highlights Book of Things to Do is the essential book of pure creativity and inspiration. Kids ages seven and up will find hundreds of ways to build, play, experiment, craft, cook, dream, think, and become outstanding citizens of the world.

This highly visual, hands-on activity book shows kids some of the best ways to do great things–from practicing the lost arts of knot-tying, building campfires, connecting circuits, playing jump rope, drawing maps, and writing letters, to learning how to empower themselves socially, emotionally, and in their communities. The final chapter, Do Great Things, inspires kids become caring individuals, confident problem solvers, and thoughtful people who can change the world.

Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Activities, Crafts & Hobbies ( Includes Puzzles & Games)

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Tales by Moons-light: Tales from Before the Great Melt
Written by Ruthy Ballard

In the best tradition of William Steig, Aesop’s Fables and Tales of Beedle the Bard, this companion volume to Ruthy’s Ballard’s Tales by Moons-Light series spins seven beautifully written tales from a distant, two-mooned planet called Urth.

Margie and her younger brother re snatched from their beds by an evil sorceress who whisks them off to her castle far, far away. Where are they and how will they get home? Can Margie, with her clever, logical mind figure it out?

A boy named Bai tries to save the village of Curimicu from certain disaster. It’s a race against the clock. He must speak up before it’s too late. But if he finds the courage, will anyone listen?

A wicked fortune-teller is terrorizing a town. Can the king’s son expose him for the evil trickster he is? Or will the so-called “astrovisionary” cast a spell on his father as well, and find his way into the palace?

Rich in science, yet wildly creative, each story carries a timeless lesson. Whether a child lives on Urth or Earth, this exciting book is best read before bed, under the covers, with a flashlight on…

Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Fantasy, Myths & Legends

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Safe IN A HARD PLACE: Photographic Reflections
Written by kay jantzi; Illustrated by Karen McDiarmid as graphic artist; Edited by Liz Tolsma

Safe IN A HARD PLACE is a quality, hard-cover, gift book of inspirational prose, enhanced with real-life photography, and dedicated to you, right where you are! You may find yourself in the heights of success or flat-out in the middle of the lowest of lows on the skid-row of a hard place. If it’s a “step out in the water” kind of day, step out with a strong faith that can move mountains and dive in deep with our God of miracles!

Adult Books:
Inspirational / Motivational

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Otsimo | Speech Therapy

Otsimo | Speech Therapy SLP is proud to be the only Speech Therapy app that uses voice and speech recognition technology and machine learning; it understands exactly what you are trying to say!

For those who experience speech related issues such as:

• Delayed speech (late talkers)
• Non-verbal autism and down syndrome affecting kids speech,
• Difficulty to articulate themselves and enunciate
• Apraxia
• Aphasia
• Stuttering
• Articulation issues

Can use Otsimo | Speech Therapy SLP for speech practice efforts and improving their speech.

The speech games designed specifically for individuals, are created under the guidance of parents, speech language pathologists (slps), and therapeutic activity experts. The assistive games in Otsimo | Speech Therapy SLP aim to improve speech and communication skills.

For purposes of learning and development, Otsimo | Speech Therapy SLP will teach how to articulate the correct sound of vowels and consonants and more, so they can learn to communicate orally in an improved way.

Otsimo | Speech Therapy SLP is a pocket SLP that you can use as speech therapy at home. Awarded as the best therapy activities app, it aims to reduce any kind of language and speech problems, in a fun way!

Apps & Software:
Toddlers

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Otsimo | Special Education

Otsimo is a certified and awarded educational game application developed for kids diagnosed with learning disorders, attention deficit, autism, down syndrome, aspergers, and other special needs.

Created under the guidance of parents, psychologists and special education teachers; more than 100 assistive games in Otsimo aim to teach fundamental education about core skills such as words, alphabet, numbers, emotions, colors, animals and vehicles through assistive matching, drawing, choosing, ordering and sound games. For individuals or children having speech problem, Otsimo has free AAC which often is used in speech therapy, autism communication or special education schools. If you want your nonverbal relative/student with autism speaks, free AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) is a proven effective learning tool to have a better speech and to communicate better.

Since Otsimo games are designed according to ABA therapy, Otsimo can be used with inner peace by individuals / children having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), down syndrome, asperger syndrome, attention deficit, cerebral palsy, rett syndrome, speech impediments, and aphasia.

Apps & Software:
Toddlers

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Little Toes Ultra Absorbent Natural Diapers Made with Bamboo Fibers

Little Toes Ultra Absorbent Natural Diapers Made with Bamboo Fibers are perfect for a baby’s delicate skin. Since our diapers decompose in a landfill in 180 days as oppose to over 500 years, they are ideal for parents who are searching for eco-friendly diapers.

Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and antibacterial.

Our triple-stretchable side fasteners and elastic-back waistband allow your baby to move freely, while ensuring a snug and comfortable fit with no chaffing. Your baby will no longer be uncomfortable from too tight-fitting diapers and those unsightly red marks on your baby’s delicate skin will disappear while the occurrence of diaper rashes will be reduced or eliminated. When you use Little Toes Ultra Absorbent Natural Diapers Made with Bamboo Fibers, you can be confident that your baby will stay dry and comfortable, day and/or overnight.

Little Toes is a trusted brand from Products On The Go that provides natural baby care products for diaper changing that are healthy, safe and environmentally friendly. Little Toes diapers are available in four different sizes!

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

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Jiggly Pup / Noodle Pup

No animal dances more adorably than Jiggly Pup! Watch him walk, bark, and dance! It walks moving his funny tail to the rhythm of its catchy tune!

Already available in the market, this electronic friends barks and plays music when you tap his head.They are soft, covered with smooth TPR and they have the cutest little face.

Listening to their catchy tune will make many of us dance. The product is assorted in 5 different colors!

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Preschoolers

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Jacques and the Forbidden Christmas
Written and illustrated by Martha Sears West

It is the Christmas of 1794. The townspeople are downhearted because Napoleon has declared Christian worship against the law. When courageous eight-year-old Jacques hazards a friendship with a revolutionary soldier, will he and his family be in danger? Can Jacques soften the soldier’s heart by speaking to him about the Christ Child?

Children’s Picture Books:
Historical Fiction

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Imagine That: The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss

Award-winning Broadway, film, and television actor and advocate for the blind, Rena Strober, is thrilled to announce her new family album, Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss.

The album sparkles with contributions from such luminaries as Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), French Stewart (Mom, 3rd Rock from the Sun), Michael-Leon Wooley (The Princess and the Frog), Deborah Grausman (“Smartie” on Sesame Street), acclaimed opera singer Cristina Jones (the “Blind Soprano”), and DOTZ, The Blind Children’s Choir.

These iconic songs inspire decades of fond memories, yet are as engaging as ever for new little ears. They deserve the luxury treatment they get from this wildly talented, top-of-their-game team coming together to put on a classy show filled with a cheerful Broadway sense of style.

Audio Experiences:
Ages 5 to 8

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Greater Than Sports Drink

Greater Than sports drink is a unique hydration drink made with organic coconut water, juices, and electrolytes without excess sugar. A properly hydrated body performs better, and Greater Than was designed to rehydrate your body effectively. Many of our customers are nursing and pregnant moms replenishing electrolytes with our low sugar drinks. Performance benefits reported can be enhanced milk supply, fewer headaches, and relief from Braxton Hicks . Results vary for everyone. Customers report drinking 10oz to 20oz per day.

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

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GoNoodle

A media and technology company with a suite of active engagement products for kids and the adults who love them. Created by social emotional learning experts, GoNoodle is dedicated to empowering next-generation humans and helping the grown-ups who love them positively charge every day with Good Energy.

Used in millions of homes and four-out-of-five U.S. public elementary schools, GoNoodle’s interACTIVE content that can energize, focus, calm, or cheer up. To turn screen time into active time, convert any space to play space, and make every time the best time – there’s a GoNoodle for that – visit www.gonoodle.com to get started. Headquartered everywhere kids are.

Apps & Software:
Ages 5 to 8

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Double Hook Nursing Bra

It’s a really new big deal for clever breastfeeding moms, taking all assumptions out of breastfeeding – no more having baby wait while you fumble around! With the launch of the Innovative Nursing Bra by Kaye Larcky, geniusly crafted to include a reminder clip, how can any other nursing bra ever compare?

Get ready to ‘OOOH!’ this paragon of comfort, ultra-supportive nursing bra as it pairs with a most logical, cool, mom-invented reminder clip. It’s professionally designed to help mom remember which breast fed last, is currently full, or gets to feed baby next. Call it a breastfeeding tracker of sorts, it’s easy and unobtrusive, a non-slip clip that becomes mom’s breastfeeding must-have. Use simply; after feeding on one breast, simply attach clip on the ‘A’ position indicating ‘After’. This will enable better support for now emptier breast. Attach other clip to unnursed side in the ‘B’ position indicating ‘Before’. Now you know which breast feeds next.

Use this breastfeeding reminder clip in conjunction with our exclusive pumping band.

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

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Deluxe Learning Kit

Sensible period for language starts at the age of 3 according to Maria Montessori: have you notice that your kid is getting more and more curious about letters, reading and basic math? It’s the perfect time to discover the Deluxe Learning Kit and introduce them to the magic of Marbotic!

For children aged 3 to 8 years old, this kit contains 26 wooden letters and 10 wooden units: everything your kids need to learn how to read and count! The tablet becomes a very powerful educational tool and detects the wooden pieces thanks to the static electricity naturally present in our bodies! No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection needed.

Created with passion by edtech lovers, the 7 educative apps of this kit are inspired by Montessori and designed with kids in mind. With open-ended activities and sandbox spaces, they can play freely and experiment by themselves. Kids are active and interact with the screen. Kids explore, grow and learn while having fun!

Educational Products:

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Bobby Fischer Learn to Play Chess

Wood Expressions, Inc. is pleased to announce the debut of the Bobby Fischer® Learn to Play Chess. Have you always wanted to learn how to play chess or help a child learn this game? This chess set provides instructions on how to learn the game from an expert point of view. Learn to Play Chess is a learning set for the beginner and will also help equalize the game if one chess player is significantly better than the other. Learn to Play Chess displays how many spaces each piece can move and in which direction while playing the game.

Chess is one of the world’s most popular and beloved games with over 600 million players worldwide. It is played in chess clubs, homes, schools, online, via mail, email, and in tournaments. The theory and composition of chess reflects both art and science. Playing the game is also known to increase brain power and teaches vitally important skills such as: Critical Thinking, Math Development, Concentration, and Socialization.

• Perfect teaching set for beginners and novices
• Chess pieces are marked with arrows to teach the player what direction the chess pieces can move
• Chess Equalizer Dice are included for a player who is significantly more experienced playing chess
• Pieces are sized correctly for hands of all sizes to grasp
• 15” Chess Board, 3.75” King
• For two players
• 6 years + Up

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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Ack! The Nantucket Duckling
Written by A.K. Spurway; Illustrated by Jacqueline East; Edited by Sam Severn

The Enchanting Tale of a Very Special Duckling
Ack: The Nantucket Duckling is a celebration of unconditional love and self acceptance. You’ll be inspired as Ack learns to stop hiding his differences and embraces his uniqueness as his gift to share with the world. Ack’s transformation from timid, self-doubting duckling to courageous, heart warming hero encourages us all and is sure to uplift your spirit and become a favorite for those you love.

Children’s Picture Books:

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A Little Spark
Written by Chris Parsons; Illustrated by Mike Motz

When the survival of their hometown is threatened, two unlikely comrades join forces on a quest to defeat a dangerous enemy and bring back the only one who can save them all.

Beyond the frozen mountains there lies an oasis from the frigid cold and the howling winds. A place the animals call Lake Zuron. What a wonderful place, happy creatures of all kinds, living in harmony and warmth thanks to their very own fire-breathing dragon named Daniel.

But one day everything changed when the unthinkable happened. The Dragon fire goes out and immediately the air begins to chill. Things were not looking good but just when all hope was lost, an unlikely hero steps up. Join Spark the mouse on an adventure of a lifetime as he and his friends do their part to save their town from an icy demise.

With the magical power of Daniel, the Dragon there could be hope. But first they must face and defeat a dangerous enemy, the vile beasts who own these mountains where nobody passes through.

Along this journey maybe you will discover that it’s that little Spark in each of us that really matters, and that a little Spark could save them from the coming cold. The story reminds us that we all need something in life every day to ignite our passion and spirit – to help the world be a “warmer” place and to look for ways to “Be That Spark.”

Children’s Picture Books:
Fantasy, Myths & Legends

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