This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features children’s picture books, learning apps, craft kits + 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 December 24 to December 30, 2023.

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

What do Ali and Zoe Have in Common?
Written and illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker

Can two little girls who like very different (even opposite) things still get along together and have fun? Yes!
Follow Ali and Zoe’s friendship in this charming picture book as children learn about the concept of opposites along with a message about accepting differences in others. Kids learn that they don’t need to look the same or have the same interests or beliefs as someone else in order to develop a great friendship!  This book also provides an opportunity to discuss ideas like diversity, tolerance and respect with children.

Children’s Picture Books:
Developing Social Skills

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Silki, the Girl of Many Scarves: SUMMER OF THE ANCIENT: Book One
Written by Jodi Lea Stewart; Illustrated by Maurizio Simonini; Kim Rouisse; Edited by Chris Eboch

Silki Rose Begay, a young Navajo teenager, thought she’d made up Wol-la-chee, the Ancient Ant Man, when she was a kid drumming up crazy adventures to have on horseback with her best friend Birdie. When Wol-la-chee shrieks into her life one summer day on Concho Mountain, everything changes, including Birdie, who distances herself more after each mysterious event on the Rez. With her family constantly pushing her toward more responsibility and respect for her tribe’s heritage, as well as Birdie telling her she has her real and unreal all mixed up, the pressure mounts for Silki to face her destiny and confront Wol-la-Chee. If she does her part, will He go back where he came from, will Birdie finally believe, and can Silki handle the whole Ancient World by herself?

Young Adult Books:
Humor

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Prismic: Hanging Heart 3D Puzzle Lantern

Build-Your-Own Prismic™: Hanging Heart Lantern is a fun and engaging craft that becomes a light-up heart with a loop for hanging on display! It is powered by USB-powered LED string lights (included) to give off a beautiful shimmery glow.

Each Prismic kit includes Prismic™ panels, connecting pins, a hook to hang, USB-powered LED string lights, and complete step-by-step written instructions. Video instructions are also available on our website.

The Prismic™ Hanging Heart Lantern is a challenging build for tweens and teens. It’s a craft best built with parental help, so parents and kids will share quality time and foster meaningful connections through crafting. Making the Prismic™ Hanging Heart could take a few sessions, but the final results are absolutely stunning.

Prismic™ craft kits make a great gift for tweens and teens! It comes in an attractive ready-to-gift box, making it the perfect Christmas, Hanukkah, and birthday gift.

With Prismic™ kits, tweens and teens will get hands-on experience manipulating shapes, developing their spatial awareness, fine motor skills, focus, and ability to follow instructions.

Completing this puzzle will fill teens and tweens with pride and confidence when they see their hard work come together to form a beautiful, shimmery, eye-catching lanterns! It’s a craft they will be exceptionally proud to display!

Arts, Crafts & Hobbies:
Ages 9 to 12

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Prickly Bear

Discover Prickly Bear, the ultimate learning companion for kids! Prickly Bear is an enchanting world of creativity and knowledge, designed to make learning a delightful adventure for your kid. With Prickly Bear, learning becomes a joyous journey of exploration, where young minds can unleash their imagination while acquiring valuable skills.

Key Features:

1. Prickly AI-Powered Learning: Prickly Bear harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to bring education to life. Through Prickly AI, kids can embark on a personalized learning experience that adapts to their unique needs and preferences.

2. Creative Game Creation: Let your kid’s creativity soar! With Prickly Bear, children can design their very own learning games, selecting topics that pique their interest. It’s a fun, interactive way to foster creativity.

3. Social Sharing: Prickly Bear encourages collaboration and social learning. Kids can share the games they create with friends, turning learning into a shared experience.

4. Instant Gratification: Creating learning games with Prickly Bear is as easy as 1-2-3. Kids receive instant feedback, keeping them motivated and eager to explore more.

5. Rewarding the Imagination: Prickly Bear introduces kids to the concept of the creator economy, where they earn rewards based on the popularity of their creations. This not only motivates learners but also nurtures essential entrepreneurial skills.

Why Prickly Bear?

Prickly Bear offers a unique blend of AI-driven learning and creative expression, making education exciting and engaging. This platform sparks enthusiasm for learning, enhances problem-solving abilities, and fosters creativity. It equips young minds with essential skills for the future, all while creating a positive attitude toward lifelong learning.

Prickly Bear: Where learning meets imagination. Give your kid the gift of boundless creativity and knowledge with Prickly Bear today!

Apps & Software:
Ages 9 to 12

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Demolishing the Stronghold: Book 6 of the Towers of Light Series
Written by Allen Brokken; Illustrated by LoriAnn Weldon; Edited by S.D. Grimm

Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan finally reach Blooming Glen.

They must demolish the enemy’s stronghold there before the Calamitous Drake covers their land in eternal darkness.

Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan finally found respite for their whole family in the grove surrounding the Wellspring of Life. However, the threat of the Dark One’s forces still looms over the Heathlands, and lighting the tower of Light in Blooming Glen is their only hope of cleansing their land of The Darkness once and for all. While the family plans a surprise attack on the stronghold at Blooming Glen, the Bishop calls forth the Calamitous Drake, a monster forged from the essence of The Darkness in the corrupted heart of the Iron Mountain. In the midst of the battle, the monster scatters the family, leaving Mother, Uncle, and Tye in the hands of Lord Refi’Cul and the evil giant Skull Crusher who aims to make Tye his wife and become the Master of the Heath Wardens.

The children must take to the skies to forge a weapon capable of defeating the Calamitous Drake. Will Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan’s faith give them the strength to Demolish the Stronghold?

Juvenile Books (Level 2 – Ages 9 to 12):
Fantasy, Myths & Legends

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CharmWow: Style Your Own Pink Locket Necklace & Bracelet Set

CharmWow Style-Your-Own locket bracelet and necklace craft kit lets kids customize their own charm locket jewelry with glitter and trendy mini charms!

Each CharmWow Pink Locket Necklace and Bracelet Set includes 1 pendant locket, 1 bracelet with locket, 1 black threaded necklace, 11 super-cute charms, 1 pink glitter pot, adhesive putty, 1 storage pouch, and complete step-by-step instructions.

CharmWow allows for customization and personalization. With 11 stylish charms to choose from, kids customize two lockets. They can also add glitter to create a shimmery backdrop for their design.

This jewelry-making kit keeps your kids engaged as they craft their own bracelets and necklaces, helping improve their focus and fine motor skills. The sense of accomplishment kids will feel after making their own jewelry will boost their confidence and self-esteem. They’ll be proud to wear their creations!

CharmWow makes a great gift for stylish and crafty kids. The kit comes in an attractive, ready-to-gift box, perfect for every occasion, like birthdays, Easter basket stuffers, Christmas gifts, and Hannukah gifts. You can also encourage your kids to develop generosity by gifting their creations to their besties.

CharmWow locket jewelry kits are a dazzling way for kids to express their style. Plus, your kids will make necklaces and bracelets like those you can buy at popular chain accessory shops – but completely personalized at a fraction of the cost!

Arts, Crafts & Hobbies:
Ages 9 to 12

Purchase here