This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features children’s picture books, educational products, new mom essentials + 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 16, 2024 to June 29, 2024.

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

Your Face Lights up the World
Written by Jodi Meltzer

Harper and Hunter are fraternal twins with only one thing in common: they once lived together in their mom’s belly. When their mom tells them they must play outside together after a fight, they decide to build a fort tall enough to keep her out!

While gathering sticks and stones to stack, Hunter finds a super-spotty sparkle stone and has a lightbulb moment. He wonders which one has more spots, the speckled stone or his sister’s freckled face?

Your Face Lights up the World is a powerfully written and distinctively illustrated picture book that explores themes of self-esteem, sibling rivalry, and jealousy with flair, whisking kids off on an unforgettable journey toward self-acceptance. Complete with journal pages to capture renewed feelings of confidence, this inspirational book will help kids see themselves in a new light.

Children’s Picture Books:
Growing Up / Personal Growth

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What’s a Real Doctor?
Written by Dr. Cherice Roth

Are veterinarians real doctors? Turns out the answer is yes. What’s a Real Doctor? fills the perceived chasm between a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a human Medical Doctor at an early age. Tristan, Cooper, and Clara have a thoughtful discussion to compare both careers from a child’s perspective. Their discussion, without a doubt, leaves everyone a little more confident and a little more informed on what veterinarians actually do that makes them a real doctor.

Children’s Picture Books:
Science & Technology

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TT TUMMYTIMEZ Multi-Stage Tummy Time Water Mat

MULTI-STAGE SOLUTION – Our tummy time baby water mat is a perfect All-In-One Tummy Time motivator for both beginners and motorically advanced Toddlers. Our Extra-Large play mat enables two distinct tummy time positions, one per each motoric stage of development. Beginners should be placed on the inflated rim, which provides the right support through the first stages of tummy time. Motorically advanced babies should be placed on the central part of our Extra-Large mat (40×40 inches) with plenty of room for tummy time play while exploring, rolling and crawling
MOTOR & SENSORY DEVELOPMENT – Our activity mat’s vibrant color scheme was specially designed to prolong baby attention span for tummy time; for your baby it’s just a fun and interesting way to explore and play; For you it’s an effective way to achieve longer tummy time sessions and boost motor and sensory development
GROW THROUGH PLAY – Doctors agree that tummy time activity is crucial for your baby’s healthy motor and sensory development, as it builds foundations for rolling, crawling, sitting and walking. The vibrant underwater scenery and water movement will fascinate your baby and make tummy time exercise fun and easy
PLAY SAFELY – As parents, we know that the safety of your kids and the quality of their toys is your top priority. Our baby playmat promises uncompromised safety standards– made of durable top-quality PVC, CPC Certified, ASTM Approved, Lead Free, Phthalates Free and BPA free
EASY TO USE – Simply inflate the outer rim with air and fill the central part with your desired level of warm tap water. Our sensory baby pad can fold easily into any bag (when empty) and can be used indoors or out in the shade when placed on a safe & flat surface
HERE FOR YOU – We promise top standards of service. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to our customer care and we’ll be happy to make things right

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Babies

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THE WATER DOOR
Written by Aggie L Jae; Illustrated by ABRAXAS HUDSON
ALBINA GILAEVA-LOPUSKI
MAXINE VETTER; Edited by JENNIFER WILKOV, Your Book Is Your Hook

Tweens Jeremy and Joshua are visiting their grandparents. When their parents are kidnapped, they are told to find a legendary blue diamond. That’s when their grandparents reveal THE WATER DOOR—a secret hydro-portal that transports them to the distant planet Tetherae. Once there, they embark on an exciting adventure through the wilds of the medieval planet, which includes fierce dinosaurs, enormous giants, deep caverns, and mystical castles. Using their new special abilities, they must find the diamond before it’s too late!

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

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The Fancy Flamingo
Written by Maygon Lucart; Illustrated by Tamara Piper

“The Fancy Flamingo” is a book about a flamingo who enjoys being different from her friends and is encouraged to embrace who she is by learning that it’s okay to stand out and be herself! A poetic narrative and heartwarming tale for readers, young and old, about uniqueness and individuality!

Children’s Picture Books:
Inspirational / Motivational

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The Amazing Adventures of Mr. Mac: The Farm Life Way with Granny Jay Kay
Written by Vickilynn O’Donnell; Illustrated by Jenna Jordan

Join Mr. Mac and Granny Jay Kay as they travel through their rhyming world, finding adventures in the simplest of places. In The Farm Life Way: With Granny Jay Kay, Volume 1, the series begins with a whimsical, rhyming tale of daily chores on the farm.

Children’s Picture Books:
Domestic Animals & Pets

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The Adventures of Malice in Munsterland: Malice and the School of Widgetry
Written by Mary Saunders

Malice is a little monster who always finds herself in mischief! When Malice is too lazy to walk her dog, she ends up breaking a priceless family heirloom while playing with the dog indoors. Can Malice get through all the tasks at the School of Widgetry and fix the family treasure? Find out in Malice and the School of Widgetry!

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

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The Adventures of Malice in Munsterland: Malice’s Punderful Plants
Written by Mary Saunders

Malice is a little monster that loves to get into mischief! Malice can’t resist planting some interesting bulbs and seeds she found while walking her Mischief Hound. When the seeds grown into angry plants, chaos ensues! Can Malice tame the wild plants and save her town? Find out in Malice’s Punderful Plants!

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

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The Adventures of Malice in Munsterland: Malice’s Quest for a Pet
Written by Mary Saunders; Illustrated by Tazmina

Malice is a little monster who loves to get into mischief! Malice’s one true desire is to have a pet of her own. But her parents can’t handle her mischief and a pet. Will Malice find a way to make her wish come true, and get her own pet? Find out in The Adventures of Malice in Munsterland!

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

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Oscar the Troll Plushy

Oscar the Troll is an adorable 12 inch plushy toy to accompany the illustrated picture books in the Troll Tales and Other Stories from Grandma’s Cottage series. He is soft and loveable, perfect for children ages 3+.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 5 to 8

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Oscar and the Noisy Children: Troll Tales and Other Stories from Grandma’s Cottage
Written by Betty Cetas; Illustrated by Ugur Kose

Five children crash through Oscar’s quiet woods. But when one of them splats into a sticky situation, Oscar must decide whether to stay silent or sound the alarm.

Oscar the troll sees five children playing in the woods. When one gets left behind and gets trapped in a mud pit, Oscar tries to alert the other children. Then seeing the boy deeply distressed, he decides to help him, but realizes he can’t do it alone. When the other children arrive, it takes all of them working together to save the day.

The book emphasizes teamwork and how people’s different abilities can be helpful. – Foreword Reviews (2023)

Children’s Picture Books:
Adventure, Adventurers & Heroes

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Oscar and the Awful, Horrible Smell: Troll Tales and Other Stories from Grtandma’s Cottage
Written by Betty Cetas; Illustrated by Ugur Kose

Like a fresh onion, Oscar and the Awful, Horrible Smell will bring tears to your eyes as you laugh your way through Oscar’s show and smell adventure.

Everyone knows that trolls have a very sensitive sense of smell. So, when Oscar smells something new in his forest, something stinky and terrible and strange, he has to investigate. From stinky mushrooms to rotten eggs, from dead fish to sticky green sludge, join Oscar as he hunts for the source of the awful, horrible, rotten, putrid, terrible, nasty, stinky smell.

“Young children love silly stories, and the funnier, dirtier, smellier, and more gruesome the better! They will love this story and fall in love with the adorable (but rather smelly) Oscar. Star rating: 5 Stars” Readers’ Choice Book Awards (2023)

Children’s Picture Books:
Humor

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Oscar and Otto: Troll Tales and Other Stories from Grandma’s Cottage
Written by Betty Cetas; Illustrated by Ugur Kose

Oscar makes a big splash when a newcomer moves in from across the pond. Find out if he sinks or swims as he tries to trap a tricky trout!

Everyone knows that trolls love to fish. But when a newcomer moves into the lake, Oscar tries to find a way to catch this tricky trout. A rivalry develops between the Oscar and Otto, until one day it goes too far. How could they ever overcome their differences? This is a story about overcoming differences and finding friendship in surprising ways.

“The book demonstrates the importance of friendship, kindness, and supporting others when they are in need. Young children will enjoy the fun scenes of Oscar repeatedly falling in the lake and will root for the fish as he evades the troll’s capture. Star Rating: 5 Stars” – Readers’ Choice Book Awards (2023)

Children’s Picture Books:
Humor

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Momcozy Silky-Soft Cooling Blanket

【The Revolutionary Savior for Getting Rid of Pregnancy Hot】 The pregnant mothers are more likely to face the dilemma of having difficulty falling asleep due to body heat compared with the ordinary people, cooling comforter will achieve an effective physical cooling for the pregnant through gentle touching, creating a comfortable sleeping environment for mothers to fall asleep, making the mother’s pregnancy journey easier.

Gear & Accessories:
Media, Electronics & Accessories

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Mom Your Way: Judgement Free Wisdom to Empower New Moms
Written by Yasmin Kaderali; Illustrated by Cover Design: Emily Weigel , Image credits: [cover © TK, p. TK © TK – as
required by stock agency/photographer]; Edited by Abi Pollokoff

From the CEO of Mommy’s Bliss comes a book for new moms that’s not about the baby. It’s about you, mama.
You might be just a few days out of the hospital or months into your sleep-deprived postpartum journey when the realization hits you: life as you know it—your whole identity—will never be the same. Mom Your Way will guide you through this fundamental shift into new motherhood. With a healthy dose of humor and comforting best-friend energy, Yasmin Kaderali shares judgment-free wisdom for navigating your postpartum life.

Based on Yasmin’s years serving moms at the helm of the wellness brand Mommy’s Bliss—and her own experience as the mom of two little boys—Mom Your Way dishes the dirt on what to expect in your postpartum months and offers useful advice on caring for your new self, from managing sleep and emotions to dealing with body changes that no one really talks about. You’ll learn about building your support network, setting boundaries with family and friends, resisting labels, and banishing mom guilt. Throughout, Yasmin offers relatable anecdotes, simple tips, trusted product recommendations, and journaling prompts to help you thrive in the fourth trimester and beyond.

Adult Books:
Life Transitions

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Keeping Secrets: The Path You Choose #4
Written by Jill Ammon Vanderwood; Illustrated by Kerah Diez; Edited by Michelle G. at Upworks

Mom’s Choice Award-winning author Jill Ammon Vanderwood presents her fourth book in The Path You Choose series, where the reader is the main character and will be encouraged to make choices at regular intervals.

Keeping Secrets begins with the main character having a slumber party at her home. She asks her guests to be sworn to secrecy as each friend reveals their deepest secrets.

This book explores what you can do if one friend is a witness to a crime; another is depressed or suicidal; one girl’s parents are going through a divorce; someone is addicted to drugs, and another friend has experienced sexual abuse. Your secret could be that you struggle to bring up your grades in school.

All the girls are nervous when it’s their turn to tell their secret. However, one friend, Kaylee, gets up and runs from the house, saying she will never tell. Her action leads her friends to guess what her secret might be.

Is a promise a promise, no matter what? Are there some secrets that you cannot keep?

After you finish reading through one secret, you are invited to go back and read another story. There are thirteen possible endings in this book, with a story guide in the beginning.

Young Adult Books:
Fiction – General

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Homedics® 3-in-1 Calming Cushion

While taking on the role as a new mom is one of the most exciting times, it can also be anxiety-ridden to trust anything that comes in contact with a new little one. Homedics’ 3-in-1 Calming Cushion is the newest innovation on the baby products scene. The science-backed, multifunctional baby lounger and docking station for newborns makes a baby’s transition from the womb to the world seamless with safety at its forefront, giving moms peace of mind so their babies can safely lounge around the house with them.

The Calming Cushion offers key newborn essentials within the ease of one product. Safety is paramount, with a breathable design featuring mesh fabric, innovative airflow channels, and soft base ensuring baby’s well-being in every position. The snuggly, adjustable shape provides a familiar safety that hugs and secures a baby’s full body and is equipped with a bottom buckle that can be opened for additional length as a newborn grows.

With safety, versatility, comfort and mobility at the forefront, Homedics Calming Cushion is truly both mom and baby’s best friend.

Gear & Accessories:
Infant Positioners

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Crazy Aaron’s® Slime Charmers™

Squishy, stretchy, satisfying fun! Crazy Aaron’s® Slime Charmers™ include uniquely themed slimes with delightful scents and exceptional textures. Allow these DIY-inspired slimes to charm you! Each slime includes themed charms and textured mixers for you to add in. Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing play of slime – swirl, pull, squeeze, and fold. Which Slime Charmers™ will you pick?

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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AU ZOO (At the Zoo) — French Learning Songs

Kids will love this musical introduction to French, as they dance and sing along to playful and diverse musical rhythms from reggae, merengue, and blues to African soukous, beguine, country, and more! AU ZOO (At the Zoo), the latest release in Whistlefritz’s award-winning French for Kids series, invites kids to sing and dance along to lively rhythms as they learn about animals, the alphabet, feelings, greetings, parts of the body, places in the community, and much more! The album features a fun, original jazzy twist on the familiar song The Itsy, Bitsy Spider (L’araignée gypsy), and irresistible, celebration-themed songs for back-to-school (Bonne rentrée), birthdays (Ton anniversaire), Valentine’s Day (La Saint Valentin), and Father’s Day (Bonne fête, Papa). Delightful melodies teach vocabulary for every time of day from wake up (Debout mon petit chou) to bedtime (Fais dodo). Lyrics and translations are available for free download as an easy reference guide for parents and teachers. AU ZOO enhances children’s language skills as they embark on a musical journey to the zoo filled with French-learning fun! Awards: The latest release in Whistlefritz’s multi-award-winning French for Kids series.

Audio Experiences:
Preschoolers

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A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs
Written by Scott Sollers; Illustrated by Alejandro Echavez

A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs tells the story of two rival communities living in valleys separated by a ridge. The Have-Alls live in a fertile, beautiful valley with their leader, Chief Somebody, and their prized pets, the Squatz. In the other valley, one more desolate and barren, live the No-Haves and their leader, Chief Nobody.

The No-Haves, always jealous of the Have-Alls’ pets, decide one night to gather the Squatz for themselves. What results is a fierce tug-of-war that changes the two communities—and the Squatz—forever!

Children’s Picture Books:
Values & Life Lessons

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