It’s been two weeks since we announced any new winners, but we have plenty this week to make up for it! In this week’s Weekly Roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners we’ve got everything from fashionable diaper bags and carriers for the new moms to educational books for adoptive parents and parents of teens! All the items you see below won a Mom’s Choice Award during the last week of July 2017.

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

For more information about a product, click the product image or purchase link.

The Green Umbrella
Written by Jackie Azúa Kramer; Illustrated by Maral Sassouni; Edited by Beth Terrill

Things aren’t always what they seem in this charming tale of imagination, sharing and friendship.

When Elephant takes a peaceful walk with his green umbrella, he’s interrupted by Hedgehog, Cat, Bear, and Rabbit—all claiming that they’ve had exciting adventures with his umbrella. After all, it is an umbrella, and it certainly hasn’t been on any adventures more exciting than a walk in the rain. Or has it?

Children’s Picture Books:
Imagine It!

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Baba Slings

The Baba Sling is a baby carrier that allows you to carry in five different positions: Upright Position / Hammock Position / Joey Position / Easy rider position / Hipster Position. The Baba Sling is easy to put on and off with the help of its unique two buckle system. A large side release ski-buckle that is connected to two adjustment straps, to make adjusting your sling super easy. A smaller safety buckle for your peace of mind. Cushioned shoulder pads ensures all around comfort to both parents and baby. Your little one will stay snug throughout the day as they are cradled softly in the cotton hammock of the carrier. Changing positions assists with healthy development of baby’s hips and spine. Thanks to the ability to swap shoulders and positions. Fully adjustable, one size fits all!

Gear & Accessories:
Totes, Diaper Bags & Slings

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Taking It in Stride
Written by Kathy Luders; Illustrated by Jeff Jackson and Kathy

Taking It in Stride is the charming tale of Mia and Harriet and their encounter with a water strider. Stanley Strider challenges Mia and Harriet to a race to the other side of their grandparents’ swimming pool. Though Stanley has a definite advantage, the girls soon learn they can reach the other side by “taking it in stride.” This delightful black and white book is perfect for coloring and personalizing.

Children’s Picture Books:
Nature & Weather

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Parenting in the Eye of the Storm: The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Navigating the Teen Years
Written by Katie Naftzger

Adult adoptee and family therapist Katie Naftzger shares her personal and professional wisdom in this guide to help adoptive parents remain a calm parental influence in the midst of stormy and erratic teen behavior. This guide describes the essential skills you need to help your adopted teen confidently face the challenges of growing up and outlines four key goals for adoptive parents.

Adult Books:
Adoption

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Miguel a Deportation Story
Written by Susan Bowman, Ed.S.; Illustrated by Brian Dumm; Edited by April Paige

This story addresses the fear and anxiety experienced by children of undocumented immigrant parents.

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

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mifold, The Grab-and-Go Booster Seat

The mifold® Grab-and-Go booster seat® is the most advanced, compact and portable child car safety seat in the world. Its innovative design is more than 10x smaller than a regular booster and it’s just as safe.

The way mifold works is completely opposite from the way a regular booster works. A regular booster seat lifts the child to be in the position of an adult. mifold does the exact opposite, instead of lifting the child up it holds the seat belt down. This is part of what makes mifold so different.

Gear & Accessories:
Safety

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Mateo and the Gift of Presence
Written by Ruthy Ballard

On the surface, Mateo and the Gift of Presence is a lighthearted science fiction adventure story that takes its readers on a romp across the galaxy to a planet with two moons and enormous tides, inhabited by lavender humanoids adapted for life by the sea. But the undercurrent is one of discovery and redemption, where a ten-year old boy, though an unexpected journey, finds a way to escape his parent’s stifling shadow and emerge into a future of his own choosing.

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

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Little Cosmetics Pretend Makeup Darling Set

Little Cosmetics® Pretend Makeup Darling Set looks and feels real, but this fake, play makeup set doesn’t apply to skin. Includes the amazing Play-Flow™ pretend nail polish – tilt the bottle and the liquid swirls, remove the cap and the brush is dry – nothing comes out! Not real makeup.

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Preschoolers

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LASER X

Get off the couch and into the game with Laser X – It’s the ultimate high-tech game of tag! Laser X is a real-life laser gaming experience. Sophisticated electronics and full-color lighting effects come together to make players feel like they’re inside a video game! But unlike a video game, Laser X gets kids (and adults) moving!

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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Kudo Banz

Kudo Banz is an innovative yet simple way to make parenting easier. It is a positive parenting tool that teaches kids to listen without yelling so you can spend your family time more positively. Imagine a sticker chart, but on your child’s wrist – so it goes where you go and is always there when you need it. Kudo Banz is an on-the-go wristband connected with a magical app.

Invented by a mom, for moms. For ages 3-10.

Gear & Accessories:
Miscellaneous

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Kelly, Cane, and Mabel
Written by Kathy Luders; Illustrated by Jeff Jackson and Kathy

Kelly may not be the best gymnast but with the help of a small bird named Mabel and her supporting friend, Cane, she learns what it takes to be a winner. This charming and whimsical tale in black and white is perfect for coloring to become a treasured and favored book.

Children’s Picture Books:
Nature & Weather

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K’NEX THRILL RIDES: Web Weaver Roller Coaster™ Building Set

What a wicked web you’ll weave when you set out to build this awesome coaster that goes from horizontal to vertical in an instant! The K’NEX Thrill Rides Web Weaver Roller Coaster Building Set includes 399 K’NEX parts and pieces, including glow-in-the-dark track and an air propelled, motorized spider-themed coaster car! Full-color, easy-to-follow building instructions are also included, plus download building instructions for a second coaster on
knex.com!

Toys, Games & Puzzles:
Ages 9 to 12

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Jimi & Isaac 3b: Cow Poop
Written by Phil Rink

Jimi & Isaac think they are going to have a fun summer away from their parents and on Grandpa’s farm.  They quickly realized that living on a farm is more than sunshine and hay rides, it’s real work.  There is a lot to learn about the chickens and the dairy cows and life in the country. They learn as much as they can as fast as they can, so they can help with the fun chores.  Just as they are getting in the groove, Grandpa gets hurt pulling a calf and it’s up to Jimi and Isaac to get all the chores done. This book is for kids who are crazy about farming.

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

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HUGGS Hipseat carrier

Huggs Contour is an innovative baby carrier built for versatility. Its revolutionary carrier booster seat not only provides all-day comfort, the ergonomic design ensures a healthy sitting position (M-position) for a growing baby. Huggs Contour is lightweight, yet rugged, and has been designed to deliver the very best ergonomics in every carrying mode, for both the parent and child. Huggs Contour is the perfect companion for parents who want to keep their baby close and comfortable, at anytime and anywhere.

Gear & Accessories:
Totes, Diaper Bags & Slings

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Helping Children on Their Way: Educational Support for the Classroom
Written by multiple authors; Compiled by Elizabeth Auer

This collection of classroom support essays from an impressive variety of seventeen experienced teachers, therapists, doctors, and adult educators, gives teachers and parents ideas, “tools,” to assist children having difficulties in learning in the usual ways. Each essay explains a different technique for reaching every child or for carrying a child experiencing problems through to better capacities and comprehension.

The book is abundantly illustrated with over 200 pictures throughout the collection with vibrantly colored scratchboard that illuminates the text for ease of reading and artistic interpretation.

Adult Books:
Parenting – General

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Growing Up Lilly Roo
Written by Rachelle Wilfong; Illustrated by Ashley Teets

Lilly finds that she can’t fit into her clothes from last year and is confused. Why don’t they fit? Beautifully illustrated, this story about will delight teachers, children, and parents. Growing up can be painful sometimes, but Lilly can help make it fun. Included are ideas on how to measure yourself and even measure things around you.

Children’s Picture Books:
Growing Up / Personal Growth

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Grateful for You, Good Night!
Written by Sherry L. Hoffman; Illustrated by Jacqueline L. Challiss Hill

A full color (24 pages) paperback 8.5″ x 8.5″ bedtime story about being grateful and saying goodnight. Saying good night and being thankful are two important parts of a loving bedtime routine. Families play a vital role in building and supporting children’s sense of security and comfort. Through sequencing events of which children can expect to follow every night, parents help to develop a feeling of relaxation, transitioning their children to a night of restful sleep. This bedtime story is one with a poetic quality with soothing illustrations and design, which help to carry readers along their own special journey of making special memories with their families.

Children’s Picture Books:
Bedtime Stories

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DOGS: A Kid’s Book of DOG BREEDS
Written by Eve Heidi Bine-Stock; Illustrated by Jean Batzell Fitzgerald

WINNER of the 2016 International Book Awards in the category “Animals/Pets.”

This beautifully illustrated book profiles 20 of the most recognizable and popular dog breeds today, discussing their behavior, size, whether or not they are good with children and much, much more!

This book is just right for age 9 and up to read by themselves; or younger kids to be read to.

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

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Baby Cedar Diaper Bag

The Baby Cedar diaper bag was born out of the necessity of a mother to have a better bag than what was out there.

Functionality comes first, having everything mothers (and fathers) will need, but this machine washable bag is beautiful as well. This is the perfect diaper bag for both the parent and the child.

Gear & Accessories:
Totes, Diaper Bags & Slings

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