This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features tech toys, festive books, online resources + 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 October 22 to October 28, 2023.

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

Wikki Stix Adventures Across America Activity Book
Written by Omnicor Inc.; Illustrated by Bradley Smith

20 pages of colorful scenes… each to be completed with Wikki Stix! Beautifully illustrated… and loads of fun! Includes 72 Wikki Stix!

Travel from the Golden Gate Bridge to the lighthouses of Maine…with Andy and his dog Buddy…in the Wikki Stix Fun Truck!

In addition to hands-on creative fun, each page offers Fun Facts!

Did you know that the Golden Gate Bridge is the tallest bridge in the United States? Or that the Mississippi River is 2,340 miles long?

Kids can also use Wikki Stix to plan their journey, connecting all the locations on the colorful map…found on Page 1.

This is a virtual sightseeing trip parents and grandparents can enjoy with the kids! Hands-on fun the kids will love and illustrations the grown-ups will appreciate.

Children’s Picture Books:
Adventure, Adventurers & Heroes

Purchase here

When Fred the Snake and Friends explore USA-West
Written by Peter Cotton; Illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire

This book completes the series of three describing the adventures of Fred the snake and his friends across USA. Starting in California, Jungle Jim takes them through Hollywood, Yosemite, Tahoe and San Francisco. “They coud not wait to see the bridge called golden gate. Devilishly he flew right through it, you are not supposed to do it!”. After a brief scare in Alcatraz, they drove up the coast through Oregon to Seattle, then took a boat to Alaska. “If you meet a bear be brave, shout out loud and madly wave. Get together in a bunch to avoid becoing lunch”. Finally to Hawaii, camping under the stars near a volcano. Then home at last. “Surely nothing could be finer than to be back in Carolina”

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

Purchase here

VTech® Switch & Go® 3-in-1 Rescue Rex

Fly, zoom and roar with the Switch & Go® 3-in-1 Rescue Rex! Easily combine the fire truck, rescue copter and electronic police car into a roaring T-Rex over twenty inches long. The speedy police car features lights, phrases and an animated driver. Here comes the fire truck! Swing the ladder around and extend it. Whap-whap-whap! Spin the propeller on the helicopter to amp up imagination. Now put them all together to create a big T-Rex, coming to the rescue! Hear its mighty roar and see its animated dino eyes. Cool action sounds, phrases and digital effects inspire play and adventure.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8

Purchase here

VTech® Storytime With Sunny™

Meet a bright, entertaining friend with Storytime With Sunny™! Sunny’s expressive personality engages kiddos as she tells stories with surprising plot twists to keep them hanging on her every word. Sunny invites participation in 300+ activities with four disks and more than five hours of fairy tales, classic songs, guessing games, a poem creator, silly jokes, tongue twisters, daily routines and much more. Her animated face and movements add emotion and expression to jokes, stories and songs, inviting kids to respond as she asks them what they think. Sunny teaches healthy habits, encouraging good manners, brushing teeth and mindfulness exercises. Cleanup time is easy with a dedicated disk rack to store the four disks. When the day is done, take a quiet moment with Sunny as she leads kids in a bedtime routine. Set her gentle alarm, then fall asleep to her softly glowing night-light.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:

Purchase here

VTech® Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Spiral Construction Tower™

Ready, set, go, go with the Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Spiral Construction Tower™. Spin down the spiral tower, then cruise through the construction site. Build first words and motor skills with a talking dump truck and track set that drive development and imagination with SmartPoint® tech. Roll through the switch gate, over the drawbridge and down the ramp to hear phrases about feelings, construction and cleaning up as kids drive the truck over seven interactive SmartPoint® areas. Explore five play pieces and eleven movable parts to fuel imagination and strengthen fine motor skills. Get building materials ready for action with a rolling boulder, load of steel and bundle of wood. Haul the boulder in the dump truck and transfer the steel or wood with the cargo hook and swinging crane. Lower the drawbridge, spin the cement mixer, lift the elevator, flip the gates and more. This work site is ready for loads of play! Collect more Go! Go! Smart Wheels® SmartPoint® cars and track sets to explore unique responses on each SmartPoint® (sold separately).

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Toddlers

Purchase here

VTech® Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Rescue Tower Firehouse™

Ready, set, go, go with the Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Rescue Tower Firehouse™. Cruise around the fire station and down the speedy ramp. Fuel first words and motor skills with a talking fire truck and sturdy track set that drive development and imagination with SmartPoint® tech. The Dalmatian dog, fire, fire extinguisher and fire hose play pieces encourage pretend play. Zoom over four interactive SmartPoint® areas to hear sounds, music, first words and phrases about feelings and being a firefighter. This fearless fire truck is coming to the rescue! Explore five movable pieces to strengthen fine motor skills as kiddos flip the gates, open the garage door, pump the fire hydrant and more. Sound the siren and let’s go! Collect more Go! Go! Smart Wheels® SmartPoint® cars and track sets to explore unique responses on each SmartPoint® (sold separately).

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Toddlers

Purchase here

Tijuana Mañana the Anxious Iguana
Written by Nan Arkwright; Illustrated by Joe Bauman

Tijuana Mañana, the Anxious Iguana is a fun and engaging children’s book about a young iguana who struggles with learning sight words. Tijuana finds the process of memorizing these words to be boring and frustrating, and he feels like giving up. But when he learns about how his “Upstairs Brain” and “Downstairs Brain” respond to challenges, he discovers that he can use his brain to overcome the discomfort and succeed.Through a series of creative and relatable strategies, Tijuana Mañana learns to harness the power of his brain and push through the challenges of learning sight words. This heartwarming story, written by an author with experience working with children with learning differences, offers young readers a valuable lesson in perseverance and the importance of believing in oneself.Perfect for children struggling with learning challenges, Tijuana Mañana, the Anxious Iguana is a delightful and inspiring story that will encourage readers to keep trying and never give up. With charming illustrations and relatable characters, this book is sure to become a favorite for parents, teachers, and young readers alike.

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

Purchase here

The Only Me
Written by Marissa Bader; Illustrated by Arlene Soto; Edited by Brooke Vitale

Stella and Paige are 7-year-old fraternal twins who don’t look or act alike.

They have very different personalities and interests. Despite that, people constantly compare them or comment about how strange it is that they’re not similar. They may be twins, but they’re not the same person!

Stella wishes people would see her for who she is. She is tired of being referred to as “Stella and Paige,” or “one of the twins.” This treatment continuously causes her to feel frustrated and question her importance.

All of the comparing and contrasting leaves Stella confused about her identity and wondering who she is outside of her sibling relationship. Sadly, she also wonders if she doesn’t measure up to her sister, Paige, the more outgoing twin.

Can Stella find a way to accept and value herself for who she is?

Will she realize they can each have their own unique personality and still be twins?

Children’s Picture Books:
Growing Up / Personal Growth

Purchase here

The Night the Stars Went Missing
Written by Arthur J. Gonzalez

The stars have suddenly vanished. Winston takes to the clouds to locate them and finds that they are hiding out of fear. Their friend, Earth, has changed so much. What if they are next? It’s up to Winston to convince the stars to return.

Children’s Picture Books:
Green Earth

Purchase here

Santa, Where Are You
Written by Amanda Boen; Illustrated by Robert Sampson

Santa, Where Are You? follows Anna, who has reached the age where she is beginning to question whether or not Santa Claus is real. Anna decides to embark on a journey to find him for herself. In the end, she discovers something more profound and meaningful.

Children’s Picture Books:
Seasonal, Holidays & Festivals

Purchase here

Romper

Droyd Romper takes the traditional trike and gives it electric power! It is developed specifically for kids 3 years and older offering a safe, yet incredibly fun, experience. Equipped with Droyd’s parental speed control mechanism, Romper’s speed can be locked in at 3mph (low) or 6mph (high). Romper’s slow-start acceleration allows youngsters to ease into the fun of riding without a parent’s worry of unexpected accidents. Powered by a brushless motor drawing energy from a 24V lithium battery, the tricycle also includes a light-up front wheel with motion-activated multicolor LED lights.

Gear & Accessories:
Sports / Outdoor

Purchase here

Pregnacare Max

Specially formulated by experts to be our most optimal and comprehensive pregnancy supplement – ideal for mums-to-be who want the maximum nutritional support during pregnancy. Pregnacare is also the UK’s No.1 pregnancy supplement brand.

– An advanced and trusted source of important nutrients such as L-methylfolate (an advanced form of folic acid), vitamin D, omega-3 DHA and other essential vitamins and minerals.

– Provides levels of calcium to help maintain normal bones and teeth.

Food & Supplements:
Women

Purchase here

Pregnacare Him&Her Conception

A comprehensive dual pack for couples to help support a healthy conception when trying for a baby. Specially formulated with nutrients – including zinc which contributes to normal male and female reproductive health. From Pregnacare – the UK’s No.1 pregnancy supplement brand.

– Use as soon as you start trying for a baby

– Includes Pregnacare Conception tablets for her – a specialist formula to support women’s fertility

– Includes Wellman Conception tablets for him – a specialist formula to support men’s fertility

Food & Supplements:
Adults

Purchase here

Poodle and the Blue Desert Dunes
Written by Michael Clay Thompson; Illustrated by Christopher Tice

The desert at night is a lovely place, a landscape of cool blue dunes under a galaxy of stars sparking showers onto the sand. It is in this magical landscape that Poodle the chicken and What? the beagle find themselves in Poodle and the Blue Desert Dunes, the fourth book in the Poodle series. The two friends are searching for prepositions, and this is an ideal place to start because the desert is nothing if not a brilliant example of space and time extending in all directions, and prepositions are exactly the kinds of words that describe these dimensions of existence.

But prepositions are just the beginning. Ultimately, the friends are exploring prepositional phrases. Phrases constitute Level Three of the MCT curriculum, and while there are several different kinds of phrases, prepositional phrases are a good place to start for children just embarking on their grammar journey—a journey through language that matches the pace of Poodle and What?’s journey

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

Purchase here

Osteocare Liquid

For trusted support in a smooth, easy format, Osteocare Liquid gives you calcium and important co-factors like magnesium, vitamin D and zinc, all in one delicious orange flavour.

– A rich source of calcium which is needed for the maintenance of normal bones

– Improved formula now with a higher level of vitamin D, providing 10µg in every two teaspoonfuls

– Ideal for children and teens, and anyone looking for an alternative to tablets

– UK’s No.1 calcium supplement brand

– Osteocare is proud to support the Royal Osteoporosis Society

Food & Supplements:
Children

Purchase here

Maya’s Tiny Warriors: An Immunology Book for Kids
Written by Manasi Vegesna; Illustrated by Sharifa Patrick

On the first day of school, Maya wakes up with a terrible flu. As she sneezes, coughs, and burns up with fever, she can’t quite understand why she is sick. And why isn’t she getting better?

Thankfully for her, there are tiny warriors in her body that are battling for her well-being. Follow these warriors as they fight to keep Maya safe in this epic showdown between the immune system and the flu.

For ages 4-8, this book is perfect for young kids learning how their body works. By accompanying Maya’s warriors in their journey, readers will better understand their immune systems and illnesses.

Children’s Picture Books:
Health & Safety

Purchase here

LeapFrog® Slide-to-Read ABC Flash Cards™

Slide into reading with the Slide-to-Read ABC Flash Cards™. From A-Z, the 13 double-sided cards feature letters, words, sentences and colorful pictures. Learning our ABCs is as easy as counting 1, 2, 3. Preschoolers can touch the card to explore a letter sound, words that begin with that letter and a silly animal sentence. The mouse makes milkshakes! Slide your finger across the sentences from left to right, fast or slow, to follow along while hearing it read aloud. Let’s search! Hunt for the pictures or words on the card that the tablet asks for and touch the words and pictures to find them. Add music to the mix and touch the A-Z flash cards to add a variety of sound effects to five different melodies. Sing along to two letter songs by pressing the light-up star button. Slide the cards in the back to securely store them, then grab the handle to take it on the go.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Preschoolers

Purchase here

LeapFrog® Mr. Pencil’s® Scribble, Write & Read™

Play with a pal who has all the write stuff in the Mr. Pencil’s® Scribble, Write & Read™. Follow Mr. Pencil’s lead! Use the stylus and trace the dotted lines to write numbers, lowercase letters and uppercase letters. Then watch the letters transform into animated animals, objects and more. The numbers transform into objects that equal the number’s value. Tap Mr. Pencil® on them to count each one. Pencil perfect! Find letters to build words and explore early spelling skills. Complete a new word and sound it out. Slide Mr. Pencil® across the screen, and the bright lights of the sound-it-out bar follow along as you go. Add personalization by programming a child’s first, middle and last name. Kids can then practice writing the words they’re most familiar with—their name! Mr. Pencil® loves to draw. Watch him draw a picture using dotted lines and then trace over it. Kids can also follow their own creativity and free-draw anything they can imagine. That was fun, let’s play some more!

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Preschoolers

Purchase here

Haisley’s Birthday Money
Written by Nycole Freer and Toni Anne Villegas; Illustrated by Seema Haider; Edited by Catherine Findlay

“When it’s time to go shopping, that’s what we’ll do. Let’s go! Grab your bucket. It’s just me and you.”

Today is Haisley’s birthday, and she’s ready to celebrate! But this is no ordinary birthday–Haisely has been gifted birthday money but is unsure what to do with it all. With her mother by her side, Haisley embarks on an adventure full of discovery and growth.

Join her as she discovers a new responsibility and learns the importance of money in Haisley’s Birthday Money. With fun rhymes and whimsical illustrations, this book will surely be a hit with children. If you enjoy rhyming and life-changing lessons, you’ll love Haisley’s Birthday Money!

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

Purchase here

Future Fans Football

A Cincinnati Bengals super fan watched alone the night of the 2022 AFC Championship as his team earned their first trip to the Super Bowl in 33 years. In that moment, Mike Schroder, co-founder of Future Fans, wished he could share what he knew would become a lifelong memory with his then 5-year-old daughter. “She knew the players and the fight song, but I couldn’t get her to watch the game with me,” said Schroder.

Inspired by that experience, dads Mike Schroder and Michael Gold created Future Fans, a new company that uses stories and games to teach the core concepts of sports in a kid-friendly way. Future Fans is built on the belief that the world is a better place when the shared thrill of sports creates and sustains lifelong bonds. Wishing for this with their own families, Schroder and Gold wanted to cultivate a love of sports in their young kids, but doing so can be difficult when they don’t understand the rules.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8

Purchase here

Firesight
Written by Jessica Deen Norris

The power of the Light blinds him, and danger lurks in the Shadows…

The Dragon Guardian’s return was supposed to heal the world split by storm, frost, and fire. Instead, the crazed conqueror sends his Shadow Knights to swarm the land, searching for any sign of a dangerous, fire-wielding mage like Tiber.

If only that’s what he was.

The blinding Light that comes with Tiber’s powers doesn’t seem to be worth the small, pitiful flames he can create in his hands. But it was enough to make the emperor kill his family, forcing him into hiding. And when he meets a mysterious girl named Luci, Tiber finally sees a way out.

Except hatching a dragon egg wasn’t part of the plan.

As the emperor’s Shadow Knights close in, Tiber must learn to rely on his new friends to help him find the truth about his past… and resist the Shadows that tempt him to revenge.

Firesight is the first book in a middle-grade epic fantasy – a story the whole family can enjoy! Enter an adventure full of elemental magic, humor, friendship, and classic good vs. evil.

Young Adult Books:
Fantasy, Myths & Legends

Purchase here

Empowering Affirmations & Sketch Journal for Kids in English & Spanish: Afirmaciones de Empoderamiento y Diario de Dibujos para Niños
Written by Anita Fonteboa; Illustrated by None; Edited by None

Introducing the Empowering Affirmations and Sketch Journal for Kids, a bilingual English and Spanish journal that combines positive affirmations with creative sketching to empower your child’s growth and self-expression.
Encourages positive self-talk and confidence building Children can express their creativity through drawing.

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

Purchase here

Charlie the Honey Bear

Lovingly handcrafted in Peru, Charlie the honey bear gives 10 meals to children in need! He is beautifully hand-knit, from his adorable corduroy overalls with ‘real’ pocket, to a precious honey bee friend little ones can’t resist! Safety certified for newborns + up and handcrafted with OEKO-TEX certified cotton yarn, Charlie makes a darling first teddy bear that is designed to last a lifetime.

Charlie comes with his own unique personality, birthday, and favorite quote to foster self-love, confidence, and empathy. He also has a special 1 doll = 10 meals wristband to remind them of the impact they’ve made.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Babies

Purchase here

Ammu’s Treasures by Chandrika Tandon

Inspired by constantly singing to her grandchildren, Ammu’s Treasures is a gift of intergenerational love and wisdom, with profound messages for everyday living.

A three-volume omnibus of 35 songs and 21 chants, Chandrika’s new album invites its listeners to reminisce or make new memories with traditional folk tunes and familiar popular songs and poems. This treasury of music also includes ancient
Vedic chants set to Indian scales, aimed to soothe and relax. Adding their incredible artistry to complex arrangements, Ammu’s Treasures features many maestros including Cyro Baptista, Martin Bejerano, Peter Calo, Purbayan Chatterjee, Rakesh Chaurasia, Béla Fleck, Eugene Friesen, Maeve Gilchrist, Jamey Haddad, Bobby Keyes, Kevin Kliesch, Howard Levy, Romero
Lubambo, Marcus Rojas, Dave Schroeder, Michael Ward-Bergeman, Kenny Werner, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Scott Cannizzaro, Teese Gohl, John Kiehl, Kevin Killen, Mirek Vana, and more. Marc Lumer and Bob Spang contributed their talents to beautiful accompanying lyric videos.

Ammu’s Treasures is a hug for the world, a message of Love Light Laughter for all ages.

Audio Experiences:
Ages 5 to 8

Purchase here

All Access by Lucky Little Learners

Unlock Excellence in Early Education with All Access Membership from Lucky Little Learners!

Attention, 1st and 2nd grade educators! Dive into an ever-growing treasure trove of research-aligned and classroom-tested resources that streamline your lesson planning while maximizing student engagement. Crafted meticulously by master teachers who’ve been in the trenches, our resources mirror not just educational standards like Common Core, but are also imbued with the magic that only seasoned educators can provide.

A Philosophy Rooted in Love: Teachers worldwide dedicate countless hours and their own funds to creating the perfect learning environment. LLL All Access is our tribute to these unsung heroes, providing a huge library of quality materials at a fraction of the usual cost.

While competitors offer resources, we at LLL provide an experience. Our mission isn’t just to supplement your teaching but to elevate it. So, why wait? Be part of this revolutionary educational movement today!

Online Resources (Websites, eMagazines and Blogs):
Adults

Purchase here

ABOIL Safety Metal Baby Gate Dog Gate

【30″ Height x 40″ Width】：this black baby gate is suitable for stairs, hallway, house, doorways, Fits openings between 29-40 inch wide, 23.6 in large walk-thru gate, the distance between bars is 2.35 inches, Good choice for new parents!
【Safe and Sturdy】: Metal baby gate can defend up to 160 pound impacts by Husky, Alaska etc and without budging. Your curious crawlers will be blocked by the baby gate at the top/bottom of stairs, the specially designed double-lock mechanism handle can effectively prevent the automatic door opening due to the impact of the baby. Take Good Care of Babies!
【Auto Close】: this auto close baby gate is equipped with a two-way self-closing function, the door can swing in two directions, and can be easily opened by one-handed operation. when the door is opened to 90°, the door remains open, and when the door is opened less than 90°, the door can be automatically closed.You don’t have to worry about your dog following behind you.You still can open the gate with one hand even when you’re holding the baby.

Gear & Accessories:
Safety

Purchase here

A Beautiful Story: Jesus & St. Nick
Written by Sarah French; Illustrated by Robert Sauber

The Christmas season is here, and you are once again juggling the story of Jesus with good Ol’ St. Nick… but what if you didn’t have to?

This beautifully illustrated bedtime story teaches children the story behind St. Nick and how he was a follower of Jesus too! Children will learn about the birth of Jesus, the importance of giving, and the reason for many of our holiday traditions.

A Beautiful Story: Jesus & St. Nick will quickly become a family favorite. Parents love the values it teaches, and kids love the way it brings the real Christmas story to life! Make this book a Christmas tradition in your household so your kids will grow up understanding why we celebrate Christmas with certain traditions today. And don’t worry! We don’t give away any holiday secrets!

Children’s Picture Books:
Seasonal, Holidays & Festivals

Purchase here