This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features games for kids and young adults, children’s books, baby products + 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 November 07, 2021 to November 13, 2021.

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

Where’s Squeaky?

Can you find Squeaky the Mouse? One player hides her, and the rest of the players must find her! If you listen closely, you can hear her laughing and giggling louder and louder! Once you find the silly little mouse, return her back to her Cheese Box so she can finish her meal!
Where’s Squeaky? is an interactive Hide and Seek game featuring an adorable mouse toy. Battery operated.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Preschoolers

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What Can You GIF?

A brand new, phone-meets-card game: If a GIF is played, others play a card to caption it; if a card is played, others play a GIF. Easily adapted for remote play. Because YOU provide the GIFs, it’s NEVER the same game twice! With multiple ways to play, there’s an infinite combination of cards and GIFs! Cell phone or tablet for each player needed to play (not included).

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Young Adults

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Upset: The Original Dark Horse
Written by Maddy Zanetti; Illustrated by Gretchen Louise Tisch

Written by Saratogian author Maddy Zanetti and illustrated by local artist Gretchen Tisch. Each page is filled with vibrant works of art and is a twist on the true story of Upset and Man o’War in the Sanford Stakes almost 100 years ago. Man o’War was an unstoppable force. The colt was a living legend, with six straight wins in six starts, when he came to Saratoga Springs for the Sanford Stakes. He was a favorite with odds of 11-20. When the tape dropped to start the race Man o’War was backing up and not ready to run. He caught up to Upset in the final eighth furlong but lost by half a length. A little creative license was taken to incorporate our Mascot, Upset, the living miniature horse who inspired the book! Upset teaches everyone to believe in themselves, even when they are the long shot!

Children’s Picture Books:
Domestic Animals & Pets

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Tyler’s Cosmic Vision: Message from the world of angels – Book four in the Tyler, the Rabbit series
Written and illustrated by Mary C. Abushar

Tyler’s Cosmic Vision is the fourth book in the Tyler, the Rabbit series, where all four family members are present. The setting is in a park on a Sunday afternoon. The rabbit family is enjoying a quiet stroll, and Tia, the toddler sister of Tyler is held by the hands on both sides: on her left by the father, and on her right by the mother, who are guiding her walking. When Tia suddenly pulls free from the grips of her parents and runs ahead to pick a pretty flower she spotted, she disappears from their view. Tyler then sits down on a nearby rock and gazes at the stars beginning to appear in the sky. He seeks help from the world beyond to find his missing sister. After a little suspense and adventure, the child who is following the story arrives at a satisfactory conclusion, and gains a few helpful tips that will prove to be helpful in the future.

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

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Touch & Learn Nature ABC Board™

Bring a love of nature into the world of learning with the Touch & Learn Nature ABC Board™. With a touch-sensitive wooden board and an animated light-up LED screen, this toy tablet teaches letters, letter sounds and counting. Explore 26 animal/letter buttons, a music button and more. Touch the animals one by one to count to ten! Add an appreciation for nature with activities and phrases about weather, nature sounds, animals and conservation. Let’s learn to reduce, reuse and recycle! Nine interactive activities such as Animal Band, Sound Detective and Weather Report reinforce learning with playful activities. Learn with a touch of nature! Wood is 100% FSC Certified. Plastic is 90% Reclaimed.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Toddlers

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StarPassage: Book Four – CYBER PLAGUE
Written by Clark Rich Burbidge; Illustrated by Karl C. Hepworth; Edited by Barbara Scott

Contemporary twin sisters are thrust into a compelling adventure with a mysterious warrior from the past. Together they are thrust into a dangerous future where AI and cyber plagues dominate everyone’s lives. Societal breakdown combined with the dusky origans of technology driven plague give them little time to respond. Our inexperienced new travelers learn quickly to survive while overcoming a series of impossibly complicated threats woven together by two ancient relics. Through it all the relentless Trackers grow closer and more cunning.

Young Adult Books:
Fiction – General

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Sort & Recycle Ride-On Truck™

When you get the Sort & Recycle Ride-On Truck™, you’re already doing your part to help the earth! This recycling truck is made from plastic that is 90% reclaimed. Using reclaimed plastic means less waste goes into landfills. Beginner recyclers will love hopping on this lean, green recycling machine and driving around while learning about recycling things like plastic and reusing everyday objects. Load up the red heart, yellow hexagon and blue circle play pieces that represent plastic, metal and paper. Sort them into the correct bin, just like at home. Kids can also explore ways to repurpose everyday items or take a quiz to reinforce what they’re learning. Reuse and remix the included melodies by inserting a block in a bin to add sound effects that make each melody sound new. Blocks store inside the truck for easy cleanup.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Toddlers

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Silicone Ice-cream Baby Teething Toy

★ 100% PREMIUM QUALITY FOOD-GRADE SILICONE: Free of BPA, phthalate, PVC, lead and cadmium, to provide a strong, yet soft biting experience that is completely safe for your baby!
★ CUTE ICE-CREAM SHAPED DESIGN: Multiple layers of ice-cream swirls that can effectively help massage sore, swollen gums and soothe emerging teeth. Perfect as a soother / soothing / teething toy for babies.
★ ONE PIECE INTEGRATED STRUCTURAL: Safe, durable and hygienic, easy to clean, cute and aesthetically pleasing.
★ MULTISENSORY STIMULATION: Comes in 5 beautiful colours (Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla, Matcha and Peppermint) that would spark your baby’s curiosity as well as their imagination. At the same time triggering baby’s sensory stimulation (sight and touch) and helping with their brain development.
★ CLEAN & REACHABLE FOR BABY: Bonus complementary chewable silicone sling teething / pacifier clip to attach to baby’s clothes, stroller, car seat, cradle, etc., so baby can easily reach it, and to keep the ice-cream teether clean and away from the germy surfaces.

Food & Supplements:
Babies

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Popper and Friends: Popper Finds a New Home
Written by IL Ritchie; Illustrated by Yulia Potts

Now that sweet little Popper the woodpecker is all grown up, it’s time for him to leave the nest and find a home of his own. Follow along in the first book in the Popper and Friends series as Popper goes on an adventure to find a home and gets helpful advice from his friends.

Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life

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Message from the planet

Message from the Planet is an industry disruptor in mission and design with portions of proceeds going to preserve animal habitats. The product is made 100% from recycled water bottles including the industry’s first ever ecofriendly plastic eye, also made from recycled materials. Pairing this with trending pop art that taps into consumers’ desire for nostalgia, the product has broad appeal from animal-loving collectors to children ready to learn through play. This plush teaches children about sustainability by depicting messages they can see, read, and say to learn how they too can help keep an eye on the planet.

Educational Products:
Ages 5 to 8

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Marble Rush™ Ultimate Set™

Roll through thrilling stunts and exciting challenges with the Marble Rush™ Ultimate Set™. This 145-piece color-coded building set includes a spinning Ferris wheel, a swirling cone that plays a musical light show, thrilling ramps, fast tracks, extreme launchers and bases that all easily connect together. The easy-to-follow leveled guide includes three different builds from beginner to advanced, or create your own courses. When construction is complete, drop the 10 marbles into action and watch them race down ramps and swirl through funnels to the basket or ramp challenges. Compete with family and friends using the exciting launchers and non-stop Ferris wheel to keep the marbles in motion and bring them back to the beginning. Combine with other Marble Rush™ sets (sold separately) to create an extreme playset.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8

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Koko & Stoney
Written by Don Stansberry; Illustrated by Don Stansberry, T. A. Graham

Even though Koko was the only living creature on the planet, he and Stoney created endless adventures. Everything was perfect until an electric storm changed their lives. Koko finds there is more to Stoney than his hard outer shell and he will have to make a decision that will influence their lives forever. Excellent adventure for 9 years and up!

Children’s Picture Books:
Body, Mind & Spirit

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KidiGo™ Basketball Hoop

It’s game on with the KidiGo™ Basketball Hoop and ball! An interactive scoreboard keeps score and cheers you on, celebrating each basket with lights and sounds. Five game modes offer options to play solo or with up to five players with four built-in games, or make up your own rules in Free Play. Play solo in Color Challenge, timing your shot with the colored scoreboard lights, or make the game-winning basket before time runs out in Time Challenge. Now it’s team time! Gather up to four other players or play solo in Score Challenge, sinking as many shots as you can in one minute. Include friends and family in a Hot Potato game. Quick! Make a basket and pass the ball before the music stops. When play is done, flip up the hoop for easy storage. Backboard attaches over most doors with included padded door hooks, or can be mounted with the backboard holes. Mounting hardware is not included.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8

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Jim Dandy: A Dark Horse on a Dark Day
Written by Maddy Zanetti; Illustrated by Gretchen Louise Tisch

Written by Saratogian author Maddy Zanetti and illustrated by local artist Gretchen Tisch. Each page is filled with vibrant works of art and is a twist on the true story of Jim Dandy and Gallant Fox many years ago. A little creative license was taken to incorporate Upset, the original Dark Horse! Upset and Jim Dandy teach everyone to believe in themselves, even if they are the long shot!

Saratoga Springs is home to the oldest thoroughbred racecourse in America. 2013 celebrated the 150th year of our grand old track. Though trainers, owners, and riders dream of winning in Saratoga the track has earned the name “The Graveyard of Champions”. Saratoga Springs is where The Dark Horse thrives.

Children’s Picture Books:
Domestic Animals & Pets

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Happenstance Farms: A New Home
Written by S. McMichael; Illustrated by Justo Borrero

Change can be difficult, especially for Savanna. When she gets a new trainer at a new barn, she can’t help thinking about how much she’ll miss Colts & Company. More than that…she’s a little scared. What will happen when Savanna swallows her fear and takes a chance on Happenstance Farms?

A fun, relatable story about a girl and her pony, your child will love keeping up with the adventures at Happenstance Farms. With charming characters, lots of laughs, and social-emotional learning, this book is the perfect addition to any home or classroom library.

Children’s Picture Books:
Growing Up / Personal Growth

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Fifty Famous Composers: For Kids of All Ages
Written by Carolyn Waters Broe

Fifty Famous Composers for Kids of All Ages is a book of biographies about the lives of famous classical composers. You will discover how each of these composers grew up and what motivated them to become composers. This book explores the stories of these musicians and how they came to be famous. You will learn about composers who were child prodigies, won competitions, got into duels, got arrested, died young, and composed great masterworks of music. Fifty Famous Composers includes twenty-five famous male composers and twenty-five famous female composers. Many of these composers will be familiar such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Young Adult Books:
Non-Fiction – General

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Expect a Miracle: Understanding and Living with Autism
Written by Sandy Petrovic, David Petrovic

Written from the separate perspectives of an autistic young adult and his mother, this inspiring book enables an intricate understanding of life with autism. It uniquely chronicles the challenges and victories of each developmental stage from toddlerhood through young adulthood and includes topics such as bullying, sensory challenges, transitioning, college preparation and success, and acclimation to employment. Inspiring hope and practical ideas, this book would be valuable to those with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s, their parents and loved ones, and professionals who work with autism in any way. It would also benefit employers, co-workers, and anyone interested in autism. Experience life on the spectrum and learn why this book is entitled “Expect a Miracle”…it’s not what you may think!

Adult Books:
Parenting – Special & Exceptional Needs

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Count-Along Basket & Scanner™

Y’all “bready” for this? Let’s shop with the Count-Along Basket & Scanner™ featuring play food, shopping lists, and an interactive scanner that recognizes each food piece. Carry the shopping basket or expand it into a rolling shopping cart. Shop the rainbow with eight play foods in a variety of food groups, colors, shapes and numbers. The fish, carrots, strawberries, cake, bread, broccoli and grapes show off their silly personalities with music and unique phrases when scanned. Ready for a veggie dance? Let’s “brocc” and roll! Scan foods on the shopping lists to play activities like Food Group Feast and Shapes of the Day to hear encouraging phrases and songs. Three interactive play modes reinforce learning.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Toddlers

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Choppin’ Fun Learning Pot™

Prepare a recipe for learning with the Choppin’ Fun Learning Pot™! Children love to pretend to cook. Prepare broccoli, corn, a tomato and a carrot with snap-apart veggies, a play knife and cutting board. Hear the pot respond with encouraging phrases as kids add veggies to the pot. Let’s make spaghetti sauce! Follow five step-by-step recipes to encourage learning with play. Chop the food and set the temperature dial. Now press a food button and stir the pot to make spaghetti sauce, rainbow soup, corn on the cob, carrot soup and broccoli with cheese! Watch the pot “boil” with pretend water in the front panel. Hear the pot count to 10 and talk about colors as you play. Serve up your creation in the bowl, pick up the spoon, and dig in! All the pieces store in or on the pot for easy cleanup when playtime is done. Soup-tastic!

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Toddlers

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Antsy Pants Tumbling Mat

Multi-Use Gymnastics Mat: Perfect exercise mat for home gymnastics, cheer, karate and more! Boosts creativity and encourages imaginative play, easily attaches to other gym mats and gymnastics beam
Safe Active Play: Durable thick foam gym mat for kids is great for beginner gymnastics, yoga and stretching, cartwheels and more while protecting toddlers and young gymnasts alike.

Trifold mat: Folding fitness mat is lightweight and stores easily. Includes easy-to-grip handle so you can bring your mat with you on the go. Use this as an outdoor tumbling mat or indoor.

Happiness Guarantee: For any reason you are not happy with this tumble mat, we will do everything to make it right.

Educational Products:
Preschoolers

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52 Essential Relationships

An Emotional Intelligence game for building essential life skills and transforming quality time. Comes with 50+ engaging prompts to encourage children, parents/caregivers, and teachers to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs. Developed by Harvard-trained educator and seasoned executive coach, the prompts are science-based, well-researched, and tested. Categorized by focus area (Nurture, Flex, Support, Partner, Power Mentorship, and Conflict Mediator) and difficulty level, these topics help to build supportive and meaningful relationships at home, school, and work. Portable in a sturdy tin box for car rides, in between activities, and meal times. Easy directions on how to play in the car, at home, in therapy sessions, or in school settings.

Educational Products:
Young Adults

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Did Santa Wear A Mask?

HO, HO, HO, ’tis the season to be jolly! But this year was different. With Christmas just days away and a coronavirus still spreading worldwide, Santa had a big problem! Many people had lost their Christmas spirit and Santa’s magic was fading.

What would Santa do?

To his surprise, special helpers arrived to motivate and support him. Join the JAG brothers, Jali and Jax, as they helped Santa save Christmas from the effects of COVID-19.

How did the brothers restore Santa’s magic in time for the big day? Journey with them in this magical adventure to the frontlines of the North Pole to find out!

Children’s Picture Books:
Children, Adults and Educators

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