This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features educational toys, baby products, family-friendly software + 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 March 26, 2023 to April 1, 2023.

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

Zee Zee Does It Anyway!: A Story About Down Syndrome and Determination
Written by Dr. Vona B. Shodja; Illustrated by Jess Addison

Have you ever met someone with an EXTRA 21st chromosome? If you have, then you already know someone with Down syndrome.

But if you haven’t met someone with this trait before today, please meet Zee Zee and learn what is different about her DNA.

But surprise! She’s not as different as you might think. Zee Zee is a fun-loving and determined girl who can bake, dance, swim and even fly!

Often it is assumed that people with Down syndrome can’t do what other kids do, but Zee Zee proves that with a little help and perseverance, she can do anything she sets her mind to.

This inclusive book is full of positivity and inspiration as Zee Zee shares her empowering story. It is a perfect introduction to Down syndrome for those who are unfamiliar or just want to learn more.

It is a great education tool for typical kids, parents, parents with new babies who have Down syndrome, teachers, librarians, therapists, and doctors alike to help inform everyone that Down syndrome is not a condition to be feared but embraced, and even celebrated.

Children’s Picture Books:
Specialized Concepts / Differently Abled

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Triblox

Build, Stack, Learn!

Introducing Jellystone Designs’ Triblox! 9 Triangle Blocks made from toxic-free silicone that little ones can use to build, stack, and learn. Perfect for open-ended play, each colourful block features a number and corresponding illustration on the other side for added learning opportunities. Triblox is an excellent way for little ones to channel their own creativity and direct their own play!

What you need to know
– Blocks are numbered 1 – 9 with corresponding textured illustration on the other side
– Ideal for open-ended play
– Perfect shape and weight for little hands to explore, line up, balance, and stack
– Tactile surfaces that can be squished and squeezed.
– Available in our three bestselling colours – Rainbow Bright, Pastel, and Earth

Triblox can be cleaned using a steriliser, placed in a dishwasher, or washed with warm soapy water. Freezer safe and dishwasher safe.

Dimensions: 20cm x 20cm x 20cm (when assembled). Individual Triblox: 6cm x 6cm x 6cm.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Toddlers

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The Modern Child Milestone Blanket

Perfect Baby Shower Gift: If you are looking for the perfect baby shower gift, look no further! Expecting parents will love this personalized gift to capture all of those precious moments which seem to pass by so quickly. Bonus Pieces to Help You Achieve Those Picture Perfect Moments: Our premium bonus pieces include 1 chalkboard, 1 white chalkboard pen, 1 felt frame, 1 felt heart and one pink bow headband. Washable Soft Premium Fleece: Our infant milestone blanket is 250 GSM which is thicker than most baby milestone blankets out there. You will not have to worry about it being too thin, shrinking in the wash, colors bleeding or feeling cheap. Space For Your Child to Grow: Our baby milestone blanket measures at 40” by 60”. We made sure to make our blanket large enough so it could be used as a multipurpose blanket! Never Miss a Moment: We know babies grow in the blink of an eye! One thing that separates us from many other milestone blankets is our unique blanket designs which allows you to capture all those special days, weeks, months and years.

Gear & Accessories:
Bedding & Room Decor

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The Greatest Treasure
Written by Anne Lacourrege; Illustrated by Joshua Wichterich

Lily is a lonely child who lives in an old house by the banks of the Mississippi River. The house is mysterious with a closed door between two apartments. Lily hears a voice encouraging her to open the door, but it is locked. Ultimately, the key is found. Lily is scared to open the door, but at the same time her curiosity is peeked. Will she find the courage to open the door? What will she find?

Juvenile Books (Level 1 – Ages 5 to 8):
Fantasy, Myths & Legends

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Story Swapping – A Tale of a Naughty Puppy
Written by Vassi Rombis; Illustrated by Frances Rose Espanol; Edited by Bobbie Hinman

Kalianne’s dream of owning a dog finally comes true. An energetic pup named Toby quickly steals her heart. He is the best gift Kalianne has ever received… or is he? Toby turns out to be A LOT of work, but Kalianne forgives him each time he does something wrong. After all, he is just a puppy. But when Toby makes a BIG puppy-sized mistake, his relationship with Kalianne is jeopardized. Thanks to Kalianne’s mom and grandma, she learns that families stick together and that traditions may change over time, but they still hold the true meaning of family.

Children’s Picture Books:
Values & Life Lessons

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PinkyWinky
Written by Lena LaRue; Illustrated by Sammie Clark; Edited by Amy Wilson

PinkyWinky is a unique piglet used to being teased by her older brothers for not being more pig-like. But when a wolf threatens her family, discover how this clever little sister triumphs over the big bad bully with kindness in this delightful retelling of the classic Three Little Pigs.

Children’s Picture Books:
Values & Life Lessons

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Hold On Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness
Written by Jan Stewart

“This brisk and honest account through a mother’s eyes of her two children, from infancy to adulthood, is a power story of struggle, uncertainty, determination, hope and triumph. It demonstrates the need for both formal and informal supports – in healthcare, schools, workplaces, and the community – with the knowledge and instincts to help. It tells how two young people managed to find their place in the world and how their parents learned to celebrate it. And it provides a distillation of what was needed for the journey.”
-David S. Goldbloom, OC, MD, FRCPC
Senior Medical Advisor and former Physician-in-Chief, Center for Addiction and Mental Health
Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

Jan Stewart never thought she would live with fear in her own house. Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness describes her raw and emotional journey raising two children with multiple mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders. Jan details the roller coaster lives and challenges that both children have faced in detail, from the time they were born to the present as young adults in their 30s. Pulling no punches, Jan describes moments of terrifying fear, pain, and hopelessness, as well as of awe, pride, and hope. The roller coaster ride never stops. While brutally honest, Hold on Tight is a love song to Jan’s children. The book educates and empowers parents so that both they and their children can lead more fulfilling lives. Healthcare professionals, as well as families, friends, educators, employers, and others who interact with these families, get an inside look into the lives and unique perspectives of these parents.
Compelling parental advice includes:
– Trust your gut.
– Persevere in identifying the right professionals, diagnoses, and treatments.
– Insist on an integrated partnership approach with all those involved in each child’s care.

“I laughed, I cried. Anyone with a child who has a mental illness or developmental disability should read this book and learn that they are not alone in the challenges they face.”
-Susan VanDeVelde-Coke
President and Chief Executive Officer, Kerry’s Place Autism Services

Adult Books:
Biographies & Memoirs

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FamilyKeeper

The FamilyKeeper parental control app is powered by state-of-the-art AI technology. Designed with child safety in mind, FamilyKeeper helps parents keep their kids safe online by combatting digital threats such as exposure to offensive content, cyberbullying, screen time overload, and more. A one-stop shop for child safety on all fronts, FamilyKeeper also includes a GPS tracker to keep you informed of your child’s location.

Apps & Software:
Adults

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Children Who Dance in the Rain
Written by Susan Justice; Illustrated by Lena Bardy; Edited by Brooke Vitale, Jennifer Rees, Sirah Jarocki

Sophie gets bored quickly and won’t even eat her food without looking at her tablet. She’s thrilled to hear of her family’s upcoming trip to a magical place called India, a land she’s only heard of in stories. Once there, she quickly realizes that the underprivileged children living in the mud colony possess a joy and contentment she can’t explain. Sophie sets out on a journey of discovery, but what she finds may change her world forever. This tale about the true meaning of privilege, happiness and the power of gratitude is based on true events.

Children’s Picture Books:
Values & Life Lessons

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ByeByeCry Portable Baby Sound Machine

ByeByeCry™ is an FCC Approved, custom-made portable baby sound machine. This Pediatrician recommended Mom-vention was developed by a mom who had two babies with colic. These sounds soothed her babies, and now they’re available to soothe yours too! ByeByeCry™ is a portable peacekeeper that has 5 sounds custom recorded for colic and 5 sounds designed for anytime. It grows with your child as they outgrow colic. It is designed to work for ALL babies because you can’t predict if your little one will have colic. And, if your family expands, you’ll still have a trusted sound machine to help soothe any future non-colicky babies, too. This is a must-have product for every parent and little one.

Audio Experiences:
Babies

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