This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features everything from adult and children’s books to toys and games! There’s even a Nitro Cold Brew Latte for our tired parents that is HEALTHY! 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 30, 2021 to June 12, 2021.
Every week companies, inventors, and publishers from around the world send us their products for evaluation. Only the best earn our designation.
The Skullington Family-Boney Fingers: A Funny Book for Preschool Kids About the Importance of Helping at Home
Written by M.J. Evans; Illustrated by Yana Karpenko
★Mrs. Skullington is working her fingers to the bone and all she gets in return is BONEY FINGERS!★Meet Mr. and Mrs. Skullington and their three children, Tibia, Ulna, and Maxilla. They are a family of skeletons, but they have the same problems every family has. Find out how Mrs. Skullington gets her family involved in helping with household chores. Children ages 3 to 5 will love this humorous and fun picture book filled with jokes and puns. Parents will learn a great way to teach their children life skills and get help at the same time!
Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life
The Nodders: What! You Don’t Want to Nap?
Written by Tina Huggins; Illustrated by Brian Schmidt; Edited by Lily Coyle
This whimsical story introduces the Nodders, magical creatures who leave special treats for Nappers while they snooze! With magic shoes whirring and tiny wings flapping a Nodder will peek in to see if you’re napping. Then out of the pocket comes a small treat or treasure tucked into your nap pouch, for your waking pleasure. This rhyming nap time book encourages children to look forward to snuggling in their bed, knowing they just might wake up to a surprise.
Children’s Picture Books:
Fantasy, Myths & Legends
The Friendship Book
Written by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D.
Throughout this book, readers will learn about the definition of a good friend, how to make sure that they are ready to be a good friend, and about the potential joys and complications of having a best friend. In addition, readers will have an opportunity to think about times when they may want to be alone, how to compromise, survive disagreements, and navigate the challenges of friendships. The pros and cons of socializing over social media will also be explored.
Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Self-Improvement
The Fin-Tastic Cleanup
Written by Laura Mancuso; Illustrated by Jenna Guidi
Sara, Alix, and Lucy are happy mermaids living in their quaint coral village . . . until, one day, the three mermaids are forced to face the pollution riddling the sea that surrounds them. With the help of some friends, the mermaids jump into action! The Fin-tastic Cleanup will transport young readers to an imaginary world while they explore a real world problem.
Children’s Picture Books:
Fantasy, Myths & Legends
The Big Big Secret (Gabby and Gigi Book 3)
Written by Phnesha Marchette
The girls are back! Join Gabby and Gigi in their latest adventure. Some strange things are happening in the house and they all think they know who the culprit is…or do they? In this second book of the Gabby and Gigi series, the girls share their colorful world and will leave young readers laughing and learning at the same time.
Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life
Sprout Ware® Sip & Straw Cup made from Plants
Green sprouts® Sprout Ware® Sip & Straw Cup made from Plants is an innovative children’s sippy cup made from plant-plastic, offering a safer alternative to petroleum-based plastic. Sprout Ware® plant-plastic is a natural, renewable resource made from plants, with the same durability and functionality as traditional plastics, but does not contain hormone-disrupting BPA, BPS, BPF, BFDGE, NOGE or BADGE additives.
The Sprout Ware® Sip & Straw Cup combines the safety of non-petroleum plant plastic with the comfort and flexibility of interchangeable silicone sippy-to-straw spouts to promote healthy oral development and encourage independent eating throughout development stages.
Gear & Accessories:
Feeding
Spanish for Kids: La Música (The Music)
Pack your bags—we’re going on a Spanish sing-along adventure around the world! Join Maria and a playful group of peers as they embark on a fun-filled journey from Spain to Latin America, singing, dancing, and learning Spanish along the way. Stomp and clap along to flamenco, visit the supermarket for some tasty foods, and dress up as an astronaut, princess, or magician while pretending to be all grown-up!
Featuring lively Latin melodies, vibrant backgrounds, and a colorful cast of characters, Whistlefritz’s award-winning series of language-learning videos go beyond introducing single words—they immerse children in a vocabulary-rich, context-driven learning experience. The videos teach Spanish using the language immersion teaching method recommended by language acquisition experts. Children will hear, see, speak, and move to Spanish as they learn from live, native speakers—and a few animated friends, too!
The video includes Spanish and English subtitle options for parents and teachers. Designed for learners ages 1-10, La Música is perfect for the whole family!
Educational Products:
Ages 5 to 8
Space Rescuers Astrophysics Board Game
Play the Space Rescuers game to discover fun facts about our solar system, the planets and their positions in relation to the Sun. Learn about the impact of space waste as you clean up along the way, on your mission to rescue space!
Support your child’s fascination for the celestial wonders of the universe—perhaps they will grow up to become an astrophysicist! Space is mysterious and complicated. Even adult scientists are baffled sometimes. Simplify what we know in simple terms for children (and adults!), with the Space Rescuers game. Our board games are perfect for home-learning families, class rooms and playmates. Introduce tricky subjects with engaging and memorable activities.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8
Quincy
Every child can be an artist! Quincy is a drawing robot to help unlock kid’s talent and unleash their full potential early. It creates the best visual experience for kids as all of our arts are designed with the style of British painter’s selection of drawing. Quincy is like a little “home teacher” for arts education and enables kids to become familiar with and deepen their knowledge of drawing.
Features:
1. The first drawing lesson for kids
Scan a drawing card, Quincy will show, talk and explain step by step how to finish each picture.
2. Having fun with Quincy in the ABC world
Scan the letter cards with the right alphabets one by one.
3. Playing counting and math puzzles with Quincy
Scan a math challenge card, Quincy will draw and tell a story, then Quincy will ask math questions. Figure out the correct answer and scan the number card.
4. Multiple languages available
10 different versions provided, including Russian, Arabic, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Hungarian, Italian, English and Chinese.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8
No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here: A Dog Bling
Written and illustrated by Dawn Secord
Bling, a real-life Irish Setter, once starring in the show ring, is now starring in a children’s picture book series. Children are drawn to Bling with her large, gentle, soft brown eyes and her flowing mahogany hair. As a result, this story, featuring a real dog, allows an instant connection with her book’s young audience. This particular breed of dog is known not only for their beauty, but as a family dog who is fun loving, rollicking and loyal. This wonderful combination of splendor and cheerfulness appeals to children of all ages.
In this premier book, Bling faces her first true responsibility and depending on teamwork, she successfully finds her inner confidence while saving the day. Bling helps children to see it is okay to be afraid; it is okay face new experiences. The children will go on to find that through teamwork, more can be accomplished. By learning to trust in themselves; they can discover they are able to accomplish anything they set a goal to do. An added bonus to the book is the Parent’s Guide which is an educational tool. This free accompanying and downloadable lesson plan will assist parents and teachers in making this book not only a story book, but an educational tool as well. There are several art lessons, a history lesson, a geography lesson and a vocabulary lesson plus other discussion lessons.
Children’s Picture Books:
Domestic Animals & Pets
MY FIRST BUILDING
MY FIRST BUILDING let children experience the fun of building houses by hand. This product focuses on the STEAM education concept, and cultivates children’s space construction ability and hands-on ability. With the instruction manual attached, children can build houses according to the models, or practice according to their own ideas. The toy bricks of this product are made of the same material as the real bricks. They are all made of clay to restore the texture and touch of the real bricks. In addition, we use natural edible starch as cement to bond bricks. After the house is soaked in water for 2 hours, the starch melts, the bricks are separated, and the next play can be carried out.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8
Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology
Written by Zibby Owens; Edited by Zibby Owens
JOIN AWARD-WINNING PODCASTER ZIBBY OWENS OF MOMS DON’T HAVE TIME TO READ BOOKS ON A JOURNEY FILLED WITH FOOD, EXERCISE, SEX, BOOKS, AND MORE.
It’s impossible to ignore how life has changed since COVID-19 spread across the world. People from all over quarantined and did their best to keep on going during the pandemic. Zibby Owens, host of the award-winning podcast MomsDon’t Have Time to Read Books and a mother of four herself, wanted to do something to help people carry on and to give them something to focus on other than the horrors of their news feeds. So she launched an online magazine called We Found Time.
Authors who had been on her podcast wrote original, brilliant essays for busy readers. Zibby organized these profound pieces into themes inspired by five things moms don’t have time to do: eat, read, work out, breathe, and have sex. Now compiled as an anthology named Moms Don’t Have Time To, these beautiful, original essays by dozens of bestselling and acclaimed authors speak to the ever-increasing demands on our time, especially during the quarantine, in a unique, literary way.
Adult Books:
Anthologies, Essays & Collections
Mindfulness at the Park
Written by Teresa Anne Power; Illustrated by Emma Allen
Lovable, curious Little Mouse is back to help kids use yoga and mindfulness to solve problems and manage emotions in Mindfulness at the Park. In this beautifully illustrated book, Little Mouse and his best friend, Mr. Opus, a lovable lazy cat, go on an adventure to a bustling neighborhood park filled with new sights, sounds, and people. Blending humor and fun, Mindfulness at the Park gently imparts ways to navigate the excitement and uncertainty of new experiences and to be more present in the world around us. This latest installment of Little Mouse Adventures explores mindfulness, encouraging happiness, peace, calm and quiet.
Children’s Picture Books:
Body, Mind & Spirit
Messages on the Moon
Written by Jill Friestad-Tate; Illustrated by Michael Paustian
As people around the world celebrated man’s first steps on the moon, the astronauts of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission placed a silicon disc containing messages of goodwill from 73 different countries near their landing site on the Sea of Tranquility. Inscribed with the words, “From Planet Earth – July 1969,” the disc signified the first time humanity joined together in celebration. “Messages on the Moon,” a non-fiction picture book by Jill Friestad-Tate, illuminates the true story behind a little-known object that united the world in peace and hope.
Children’s Picture Books:
Adventure, Adventurers & Heroes
Meet Gabby and Gigi
Written by Phnesha Marchette
Meet Gabby and Gigi, two fun-loving sisters who live by the ocean. Older sister Gabby loves to twirl and do ballet, and younger sister Gigi enjoys practicing her karate kick.
They love making and eating cupcakes. They love teaching tricks to their dogs, Coffee and Daisy, and making castles at the beach. But there’s one thing Gabby and Gigi love to do most of all. Can you guess what it is?
In the first book of the Gabby and Gigi series, you’ll get to know all of the sisters’ favorite things to do, from family movie nights on Fridays, to weekend play dates with friends. And in the end, you’ll find out the girls’ favorite thing to do!
Combining vibrant artwork, humorous insights, and plenty of teachable moments, Meet Gabby and Gigi is a fun and inspiring book geared toward young readers preschool age and up—and featuring fun hobbies your child may recognize from his or her everyday life.
Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life
Lucky Jack Nitro Cold Brew Latte
Already known for ready-to-drink cold brews and multi-serve cold brew concentrates, Lucky Jack Coffee, a small batch, hand-crafted, independently owned, organic, sustainable coffee company, is expanding its product offerings to include Nitro Cold Brew Lattes with oatmilk.
The lattes are available in four delicious flavors, all of which are certified organic, gluten-free, nut-free, and kosher: Caramel, Mocha, Vanilla, and Golden Milk + Turmeric (a blend of cinnamon and turmeric).
Lucky Jack’s first canned offering, the lattes follow the same slow cold-steep brew process to remove acids and tannins while maximizing taste, helping the drinks to live up to the promise to be “never burned, never bitter, always better.” The ready-to-drink beverages are a winning combination of Lucky Jack’s frothy nitro cold brew, made from organic, small batch-roasted beans, and a blend of smooth oat milk and superfood ingredients.
Food & Supplements:
Adults
Lost, Found, and Forever: When you make a promise, keep it
Written by Leslie Yerkes, Randy Martin; Illustrated by Randy Martin; Edited by Randy Martin
When Beej, a pre-teen girl, goes out with her dog Buddha Bear, to search for her neighbor’s lost dog, they are told by a helpful policeman about a dog living wild in a factory back lot. The dog they find
Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Fiction – General
I Wish You Happiness
Written by Michael Wong; Illustrated by Ann Baratashvili; Edited by David Miles (Book Designer)
“Beautiful,” “charming,” and “Wow!” is how critics and customers describe I Wish You Happiness, an empowering and inclusive children’s book for parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and teachers to give all the wonderful wishes children deserve, for a happy, fulfilled, and meaningful life.
This timeless classic is filled with inspirational wishes to empower children to be the best they can be, and beautifully enchanting illustrations by a prize-winning artist.
Give this truly thoughtful gift to say I care about you and your children’s future, whatever the occasion: a baby shower, new baby, adoption, birthday, graduation, Christmas, or just to say, “I love you.” Parents and kids will love you for it. ❤️
Join thousands of teachers, librarians, grandparents, parents, and children’s book authors, and discover why so many love and recommend I Wish You Happiness for kids of all ages.
Children’s Picture Books:
Inspirational / Motivational
Gershwin’s Magic Key
Gershwin’s Magic Key, the first new release in 20 years from the award-winning Platinum-selling Classical Kids Series, pays tribute to George Gershwin
Gershwin’s Magic Key is the first-ever educationally entertaining musical story introducing children to the extraordinary life and musical masterpieces of one of America’s greatest composers!
Gershwin’s Magic Key steps into New York City of the 1920s, where a newspaper boy has a chance encounter with George Gershwin, and they explore the many sights and sounds of the city. The music is magically woven into a 50-minute story as the characters share anecdotes and observations based on true incidents from the composer’s life. The recording features more than two dozen of Gershwin’s most popular compositions. Presenting history, drama, music and fun, this engaging musical story is designed to be enjoyed by the entire family.
Audio Experiences:
Ages 5 to 8
Feppy Box
Early childhood bilingual activities are so important to lay the foundation for a wealth of advantages and opportunities later in life. And guess what: you don’t need an expensive nanny or private school to get started. You don’t even need to be fully bilingual yourself to be able to develop this in your child, especially as we provide video audio books with each box to support pronunciation. A subscription box that will make you laugh, learn, and live in two languages!
Each monthly FeppyBox includes an original story, music, and play based learning activities for kids that they’ll actually enjoy. Kid-friendly and truly bilingual, each box is designed by language immersion experts to get your kids playing and connecting in English and Spanish, naturally. Each month a new Feppy bilingual adventure awaits. Ditch the flashcards and curricula, and just be Feppy.
Educational Products:
Preschoolers
Did Santa Wear A Mask: A Christmas Adventure With The JAG Brothers
Written by Chesand Gregory
Breaking News – Covid-19 has spread to the North Pole.
When brothers 8-year-old Jali and his 6-year-old brother Jax heard that Santa closed his workshop as the coronavirus spread to the North Pole, they realized he may not be able to fulfil Christmas wishes this year.
These brothers enjoy helping others in need and were determined to spreading their Christmas cheer to Santa as well. They planned to safely help him while keeping in mind the COVID-19 precautions reinforced by their parents.
But, even with their help, Santa noticed he still had a big problem.
What would Santa do this COVID Christmas?
Juvenile Books (Level 1 – Ages 5 to 8):
Non-Fiction – General
Daisy Did It (Gabby and Gigi Book 2)
Written by Phnesha Marchette
The girls are back! Join Gabby and Gigi in their latest adventure. Some strange things are happening in the house and they all think they know who the culprit is…or do they? In this second book of the Gabby and Gigi series, the girls share their colorful world and will leave young readers laughing and learning at the same time.
Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life
Boolean Box
Boolean Box Build a Computer Science Kit for Kids | Includes Electronics, Coding, Animation and Lessons in Scratch, Minecraft, Python | Ages 8 and Up
Build a real computer by yourself. Invent electronic gadgets and learn coding using Scratch to create stories, games, and animations. Based on Raspberry Pi 4, the latest version of the Raspberry Pi computer, this kit also includes Python programming projects.
Build the computer case with included name-brand compatible building bricks. Connect the keyboard, mouse, and memory to bring your computer to life. Expand with bricks of your own. Learn engineering concepts by building circuits and models. The Boolean Box accommodates skills growth and includes increasingly sophisticated projects. Whether new to technology, very experienced, or somewhere in between, there is a path that fits.
Boolean Box is part of the Boolean Girl program, created to inspire 3rd – 8th grade girls to build, code, and invent. Through online Boolean U, camps, and clubhouses, we grow early engagement in computing and engineering to spark lifelong interest in STEM.
Educational Products:
Ages 9 to 12
Bentley and the Magic Sticks
Written by Claire Eckard; Illustrated by Anne York
Bentley and the Magic Sticks follows this extra-large canine as he finds out that his favorite sticks have magical powers, thanks to a wonderful Fairy Dogmother called Tia! Because other dogs are afraid of his large size Bentley has no one to play with. However, with his magic sticks he manages to make new friends and he also discovers the special secret of why he is so big.
Children’s Picture Books:
Growing Up / Personal Growth
BAKOBA Creator
In order for creative play to thrive, children must be presented with toys that inspire them to use their imagination.
This way of playing is called “open-ended play”. Which is exactly what BAKOBA is!
BAKOBA’s building blocks are made from an extremely durable, yet safe and flexible material. The blocks do not look like anything in particular until they are put together by the children. I love that when kids start playing with BAKOBA, in the beginning, there is just a big bundle of blocks, but quickly it turns into cars, parking lots, animal kingdoms and many other things.
This is a great way for kids to develop their self-esteem and become more independent, which will help them become responsible adults later in life. And because of this, BAKOBA is a great educational toy for kids in many different age groups.
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Preschoolers
Atomic Force Chemistry Board Game
The Atomic Force board game teaches fundamental chemistry concepts. Each player gets an avatar and rolls dice to cross the board from start to finish. Along the way, collect Protons, Neutrons and Electrons and solve different challenges to build simple elements and compounds.
Children are often put off by chemistry because it is such a difficult subject. We’ve transformed it into a fun game that can persuade even the most resistant child (or adult). Atomic Force links elements to their everyday, recognizable forms and with the help of our awesome Atomic Force team, shows children how to build them out of subatomic particles!
Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8
Astronaut Al Travels to the Moon
Written by Al Worden, Francis French; Illustrated by Michelle Rouch
As the command module pilot for the 1971 Apollo 15 mission to the Moon, Astronaut Al Worden remained in orbit to observe and take photographs while his two crewmates explored the surface. On the return-flight to Earth, he became the first person to walk in deep space. In “Astronaut Al Travels to the Moon,” his fourth book, Worden vividly depicts space travel as only an astronaut can. Join him for a lyrical journey to the Moon and back that captures first-hand the essence of hurtling through the cosmos, an adventure for both children and adults.
Children’s Picture Books:
Adventure, Adventurers & Heroes
Are You a Polar Bear?
Written by Andrew Gabriel; Illustrated by Catherine Suvorova
A polar bear cub wakes in his den to the snowy world outside after a long slumber. There’s no one around, not even his mom and he can’t remember what she looks like! The little cub journeys out to find her and along the way he meets many arctic creatures that are not like him. Follow this brave cub as he goes on a journey to see if he finds someone out there just like him!
Children’s Picture Books:
Animal Kingdom
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