This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features children’s picture books, brain games, motivational books + 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 February 12, 2023 to February 18, 2023.

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

The Piece That Is You
Written by Gayle Holdman; Illustrated by Dallin Orr, Irina Harding

Based on actual events, The Piece That is You follows the journey of a boy who struggles with speech. This remarkable picture book imparts beautiful messages of belonging, perseverance, teamwork, and harmony.

Gayle Holdman uses couplets to tell the story of this shy boy who uses stained glass as his voice and art as a form of expression. Because his voice is so big, he needs “artists and scholars and painters of glass” to help him achieve his vision. After creating a large display (titled Roots of Knowledge) narrating all that humans have accomplished together over thousands of years, we are shown how each of us is different and unique but an important piece of this larger artwork.

In addition to the fun rhymes used by Holdman, readers are given beautiful illustrations from Dallin Orr and Irina Harding. These soft pictures draw the reader into the story and help show the importance of how each piece works together to make a whole image. One of the most striking parts of the book is how Orr and Harding combine illustrations with photographs of the Roots of Knowledge. Another fun feature in the artwork is a little star found on each page, often displaying emotions.

The Piece That Is You Interior
This book is a delightful read for children and adults alike. Between the creative writing, the fantastic illustrations, the historical elements, and the inspiring nature of creativity and art, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Children’s Picture Books:
Inspirational / Motivational

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The Jig Is Up – Jigsaw Brain Games (Logic & Cryptograms)

The fun starts with selection of the Jigsaw Brain Challenge — cryptograms and logic based puzzles. Puzzles can be done individually or as a team collaborative effort (teachers love to use these as a center based activity)! Next you read the short story/scenario that goes with the puzzle and the challenge at the end. To solve the challenge simply use the face of the puzzle built along with clues from the story/scenario. When you think you have the answer, simply scan the QR code with your phone and you will have the answer.
Each jigsaw brain game poses a family friendly, fun and unique challenge designed to facilitate the development of skills required to be successful in today’s academic and work environment. There are brain games for all ages from 4- adult!

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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My Cat Thinks He’s a Puppy
Written by Patricia Allieri; Illustrated by Novel Varius; Edited by Sarah Fabiny

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, author Patricia Allieri introduces Puppy-Cat – the cat that acts just like a dog!

Each double-page spread shows Puppy-Cat having fun and getting into mischief, and is designed to get children (and their grown-ups!) giggling.

My cat thinks he’s a puppy,
How strange is that!
He does cute puppy things,
But he’s a big tabby cat!

Cats are known for being independent, particular, and maybe a little bit snooty.

But this cat isn’t like other cats. In fact, he’s much more like a puppy.

Puppy-Cat loves to go for a walk, dig about in the dirt, and even loves to splash about in the water!

In fact, if it wasn’t for this one little thing, you might not be able to tell he was a cat at all…

Inspired by playful cats everywhere, this book is a perfect addition to any cat lover’s bookshelf and will become a fast favorite for children and adults alike.

Children’s Picture Books:
Domestic Animals & Pets

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Hugh the Hippo…Camps Out in my Head
Written by Beverley Reichman; Illustrated by Mark Jackson

EVER WONDER…. how you remember things?

There’s an important part of your brain, called the hippocampus. It helps you learn and store information. It’s where your memories ‘camp out’!

DID YOU KNOW? When you smell chocolate chip cookies and think of ooey gooey sweetness ― know the name of your friends, your letters, numbers and colors ― or remember how to level up in your video games ― that’s your hippocampus at work.

In this fun, educational and highly entertaining story, Oliver meets his hippocampus, Hugh. Together, they grow, learn and become inseparable sidekicks.

When Oliver and his friends, Bella and Beau, get lost in an enchanted forest, they find out just how important their hippocampus is! Early readers will laugh out loud at the amusing illustrations and this super cute adventure story.

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

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Finding Love
Written by Elizabethann Moore, PhD; Illustrated by Holly LaRocca; Edited by Bibliokids

What is love? Is it like a bird? Is it something you can see?

That’s what puppy, Penelope, is determined to learn when she goes to live in her new home. But it’s hard to know if she’s found it and if her new owner, Michaelan, really loves her.

This heartfelt picture book introduces you to love from a new perspective. A great way to not only experience love yourself but also a tool to teach about what it means to have love in your life. Find the love this summer from debut author, Elizabethann Moore PhD. Perfect for children ages 3-6.

Children’s Picture Books:

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Do Not Snuggle with a Puggle: Wally Learns Strangers Can Bring Dangers
Written by Lavelle Carlson; Illustrated by John D. Moulton

There was once a young Wallaby named Wally. His two favorite things were snuggles and the thought of adventure. He did not always listen to his mom and dad, though. Why? Well, when adventure called tot him, he followed the fun. His parents always reminded him to stay close. What happens when Wally is having so much fun that he forgot his parents’ message.

Children’s Picture Books:
Animal Kingdom

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