This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features educational apps, children’s picture books, kid’s 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 June 04, 2023 to June 17, 2023.

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

The Grumpy Goat: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story
Written by Once Upon a Dance; Illustrated by Ethan Roffler

Aspen & Sycamore Saps live on Maple Street with Mama and Mee. The family enjoys the blackberry bushes growing in the yard until the plants spread out of control. The kids want to get some animals to help, but first they’ll need to convince Mama and Mee. Will their new animal friends help? Or will things get a little crazy?

Move along with the quirky collection of animals, firefighters, and more, joined by a professional ballerina. This interactive story will get kids off the couch, exploring movement and dance fundamentals.

Children’s Picture Books:
Domestic Animals & Pets

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Soar: The Incredible Journey of Hendrix and Ryder
Written by Letitia B. Burton; Illustrated by Caitlyn O’Dwyer

It’s early fall in North America, and Hendrix’s parents are taking off to migrate to South America — without him! Now to survive the winter and see his parents again, he and his twin brother Ryder will have to make the long, treacherous journey on their own. But the young birds are at odds right from the start, with fearless Ryder pushing cautious Hendrix at every turn.

Can the brothers find their way to South America — and to respect for one another?

Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Fiction – General

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My Little Pony: Virtual Magic

Quantum Storey’s My Little Pony: Virtual Magic product is an immersive storytelling and experiential entertainment product for children, families and fans of the My Little Pony. It is an experience that creates an entirely new dimension of interaction in storytelling not only to inspire a joy of reading in young fans but to help them develop a deeper connection with their favorite characters.

Quantum Storey’s My Little Pony: Virtual Magic product consists of a hardcover book, Quantum Storey XR (QSXR™) Goggles, and the free QSXR app that powers the proprietary pass-through and handheld augmented reality and virtual reality (XR) platform that is part of the reading experience.

The QSXR mobile app super-charges the reading experience, providing a bridge into a multi- sensory, self-paced, and immersive framework, meeting the needs of a new generation. This revolutionary XR reading approach of layered engagement offers multiple pathways to spark a young person’s interest in reading and motivates them to share the fun with others.

Educational Products:
Ages 9 to 12

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Mathpid – AI-powered math learning app for Pre-K to Grade 9

Mathpid is an innovative AI-powered math learning app from Woongjin ThinkBig, Korea’s top edtech company for over 43 years. It provides personalized learning courses for Pre-K to Grade 9 students, with over 1 million downloads on Google Play since its launch a year ago. Mathpid’s AI engine uses an IRT learning model implemented by AI and Big Data, which helps identify a student’s math level within 10 problems with 95% accuracy. The app analyzes the student’s answers in real-time, adjusts the next problem based on their performance, and provides real-time analysis.
Mathpid’s AI Vision technology provides step-by-step explanations, similar practice problems, and math videos when students scan or hand-write math problems. The app covers various topics, including mixed operations, fractions, decimals, and equations, helping students build a strong foundation in math.
The “My Class” feature provides personalized learning classes based on the AI analysis of student performance reports, with gamification features and 24/7 AI Tutor feedback, encouraging self-managed and continuous learning. The app is also useful for teachers and parents, with performance reports that analyze students’ levels and weaknesses, and unlimited math problems from basic to advanced levels.

Apps & Software:
Ages 9 to 12

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Kangaroo Cravings

Kangaroo Cravings improves reading fluency, word recognition, memory, concentration, and self-esteem by helping children learn over 300 high-frequency sight words. High-frequency word instruction helps increase a child’s ability to read with both speed and ease.

Hop along the path to a delicious, cheesy pizza, picking up high-frequency word cards with multi-sensory dancing, singing, acting, and drawing tasks along the way. Play cooperatively to beat the raccoon together, or play competitively for an all-out race.

Three difficulty levels
1-5 players at a time
Ages 4-9

Educational Products:
Ages 5 to 8

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Joey Finds His Jump!: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story
Written by Once Upon a Dance; Illustrated by Olha Tkachenko

Movement inspiration arrives in Dance-It-Out’s charming series debut, created by an award-winning dance teacher and her ballerina daughter.

Joey Kangaroo never learned how to jump, and he desperately wants to find the secret. Ballerina Konora helps readers express movement alongside Joey in this interactive story of determination, friendship, and jumping jubilance.

Children’s Picture Books:
Basic Concepts

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Iggy’s Second Chance
Written by Patricia Paradiso, Laura DeAngelis; Illustrated by Jeffrey Mora

A dog is a man’s best friend, and Iggy was no exception.

Ripped away from his family during a hurricane, “Iggy’s Second Chance” follows a dog’s journey from rags to riches. Find out how the rescue canine Iggy finds love in new humans despite his traumatic experiences. His story will take you through a journey of love, loss, and connection that will leave any dog-loving family and child filled with empathy and hope.

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

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Geckos in the Garden
Written and illustrated by Ruth Amanda

In the morning, after breakfast,
In the garden, in the sun,
I can see my little neighbour–
It’s a tiny gecko. One!

Is there anything more fun than hunting for geckos in your garden? This delightful counting book, told in whimsical rhyming couplets, invites readers to explore the wonder and joy of tromping through nature to look for geckos.

There’s one on the patio! And another in the shrubs! Before you know it, the whole morning will go by happily hunting geckos. Readers will find one, two, three, four… well, you get the idea. Geckos are everywhere, and they’re oh so much fun to discover.

Children’s Picture Books:
Animal Kingdom

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Ella’s Dance Debut: A Dance-It-Out Ballet Story
Written by Once Upon a Dance; Illustrated by Emilia Rumińska

Ella’s thrilled to take on a new role but quickly realizes she’s only filling in and won’t get to perform onstage.

This advanced Dance-It-Out! story is ideal for ballet students or kids aged 6-9 who have enjoyed other books in the series. Kids are invited to join Ashton and Ballerina Konora practicing steps such as pliés, tendus, rond de jambes, petit battements, and sautés.
Ballerina Konora joins the pages with photos of ballet steps and ideas for further movement exploration. Ella’s Dance Debut features Ashton (no pronouns), Ella (she), and other dancers. Readers get a backstage look at professional ballet life as Ella experiences the studio and theater’s sights, sounds, and smells. Handling disappointment, empathy, and the discipline of dance weave into this charming story.

Please note, a brief biography of Ashton Edwards, Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer, is offered in the back of the book.

Children’s Picture Books:
Music & Performing Arts

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Eka and the Elephants: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story
Written by Once Upon a Dance; Illustrated by Cristian Gheorghita

Dance along with Eka and Ballerina Konora in this interactive adventure story. Eka’s family creates a garden, but Eka worries animals may destroy all their hard work. When playful elephants visit, will Eka find a way to save the vegetables and flowers?

“My daughter is very excited to start her own mini garden thanks to this book… this book is MOM approved. Daughter approved.”
—Reedsy

Konora glides across the pages, inviting youngsters to tiptoe, leap, roll, squat, jump among others physical activities through her ballet positions. … Cristian Gheorghita’s playful, animated illustrations enchant readers, immersing them in the authors’ vivid imagination.
—The Prairies Book Review

Once Upon a Dance never ceases to impress and amaze with their performing arts series for children. “Eka and the Elephants” definitely lives up to expectations as a cute and fun-to-follow children’s book.
—Outstanding Creator

Children’s Picture Books:
Family Life

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Earth Rangers

The free Earth Rangers App makes it easy and fun for kids to learn about wildlife and conservation through dozens of activities that take them off-screen and empower them to make a real impact in their local communities—from organizing shoreline clean-ups to planting pollinator gardens, to reducing energy consumption and food waste. It’s completely free to become an Earth Rangers member and easy to navigate the app.

– Kids sign up with their parents’ permission and receive a free membership card and welcome package in the mail
– In the app, kids can customize their avatar and start exploring the community, participating in community challenges and environmental missions, and enjoying access to endless entertainment and inspiration through educational videos, articles, and the award-winning Earth Rangers Podcast
– Members earn virtual badges, points, and rewards for their activity as they go, traveling through different habitats and unlocking cool animal facts and swag for their avatar along the way
– Members can see how they’re doing on the Earth Rangers leaderboard, where the most inspiring animal superheroes get recognition for their Earth-saving efforts!

Members are also able to symbolically “adopt” a wide range of species, such as polar bears, red pandas, bumblebees, and more, for a fee. Funds from animal adoptions go towards conservation projects and research that help protect the animals members love. Kids receive a cuddly stuffed animal and adoption certificate, while funds from the adoptions go towards conservation projects and research that help protect the animals members love.

Apps & Software:
Ages 5 to 8

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Dollfun – College Girls

Our 18″ doll collections offer aspirational, stage of life, unique concepts that allow children to explore their imagination and dream big. This ethnically diverse collection comes with beautifully designed outfits and accessories, as well as individual stories that will encourage children to explore and learn more about lifes possibilities and the world around them. Each doll is beautifully packaged, and appeals not only to children, but collectors alike.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8

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Chipper Sends Sunshine
Written by Kimber Fox Morgan; Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle; Edited by Tamara Rittershaus

Chipper the Fox and his arctic friends travel to summer camp for fun in the sun! After and amazing summer, how will they stay in touch with their new friends and keep their summer adventure going?

Children’s Picture Books:
Developing Social Skills

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CHICKEN FUN
Written by MARY JO HUFF; Illustrated by WENDY FEDAN

CHICKEN FUN is a humorous bunch of feisty chickens counting in double sets of numbers with rhythm and rhyme.

Children’s Picture Books:
Humor

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A Caterpillar at the Dentist: Childrens book
Written by Dr. Shweta Ujaoney; Illustrated by Kelly O’Neill; Edited by Brandylane Publishers

Ira is nervous about her dentist visit!
She’s never had a filling before. When Ira meets Zack, a talking
caterpillar, in the dentist’s waiting room, Zack knows just how
to make her feel better. Zack will explain that the dentist’s
tools are simple, harmless objects used in everyday life. Through
their imagination, Ira will learn to understand the nature and
importance of getting a filling.

Children’s Picture Books:
Imagine It!

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