The lead character in Barry Jonsberg's excellent new book for tweens, The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee , isn't as strong as Katniss in The Hunger Games or as fearless as Divergent's Tris, but Candice Phee is still my new favorite…
If you love the written word, if you're an avid supporter of your local library , or if you think Fahrenheit 451 should be required reading for anyone over the age of five, you might already know that this is the start of Banned Books We…
Just out in the US from French author Fani Marceau is a new favorite picture book that I expect will become a permanent fixture on many kids' bookshelves: In This Book . It features the kind of repetitive structure that really appeals to…
This summer I mapped out fun crafts to do with my kids every week, and we completed exactly zero of them. It might be because I pinned things like build a lap-sized loom and learn to weave . I'm still not giving up on making beautiful, m…
If you have had a fantastic summer weekend host, a memorable visit with relatives, or some other cause to send a little thank you gift to commemorate the experience, consider the new Summertime book by Joanne Dugan a terrific option. Edi…
- This is a sponsored message from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - If you're particular with your picture books , and prefer the kinds of books you like reading as much as your children do, you need to check out the sweet new rel…
I don't know about you, but the books that get my reluctant reader the most excited are the ones that drive me nuts. You know, the ones that include a catchy little song that he can shout at bedtime, when he's supposed to be relaxing? Hi…
Why settle for #2 pencils when these literary pencils are bound to be #1 on any bookish kid's school supply list? Whether you've got a tween into Harry Potter and Ramona Quimby or a teen with a soft spot for Alice or a hankering to be Di…
I was instantly captivated by Hervé Tullet's 2011 best-selling Press Here , with it's "interactive" pages that remind us you don't need a screen to engage a child. Now he's back with a wonderful follow-up in Mix It Up! which is similarly…
"Let life be merry" with gorgeous literary temporary tattoos that let you flaunt your favorite books without needles or accidental misspellings. We're big fans of Litograph , since we first discovered their awesome literary tees. And now…
Summer's dragging on at our house, and my kids are ready for an adventure. I haven't booked us a family expedition to, well, anywhere, so they're turning to books to satisfy their cravings. For my youngest, who still prefers picture book…
3 a.m. was scariest when I couldn't tell if my child's diarrhea or ear ache were serious or just things to wait and see about. And one of the hardest parts of being a new mom was calling the pediatrician and ending up feeling like I'd ov…
I have a few non-negotiable criteria when I'm looking for a new bedtime book to read with my kids and The Bear's Song by Benjamin Chaud exceeds my expectations on all counts. This book is my kids' and my own current favorite bedtime stor…
They aren't as sly as a fox, as wise as an owl, or as puffy as a hedgehog, but the unassuming sloth is poised to be the next big thing for kids, as Liz and I noticed as we toured Toy Fair earlier this year. These slow-moving, surprisingl…
Everyone's eyes are on World Cup soccer for the next month, and The Soccer Fence by Phil Bildner, a thought-provoking and hope-filled soccer book for kids set in the waning days of South African Apartheid, is perfect for reading breaks b…
We've featured some really great micro-gardening tools here over the years, like the cool Click & Grow smart herb garden , which helps to create gardening projects for those of you with kids -- but not a lot of space for traditional sowi…
We are always fans of giving books as gifts, so we put together some of the best books for dads of all kinds as part of our 2014 Father's Day Gift Guide . Whether the dad of the house is a book junkie like mine is, or would simply apprec…
I love the idea of a father's day gift that's actually an experience rather than, you know, another tie (not that there aren't some cool ties out there), and that's exactly what you'll get with Maker Dad: Lunch Box Guitars, Antigravity J…
Wondering what to do about picky eaters and how to feed them can be one of the most exhausting parenting challenges. We're responsible for feeding our kids at least three times every day (or so we'd hope), and three daily battles is thre…
I admit, the folk tales and stork mythology stories that seek to answer "where do babies come from?" don't appeal to me a bit. I want my kids to understand the actual facts in age appropriate ways and the right book can be perfect for th…
We're longtime fans of Meagan Francis of The Happiest Home here at Cool Mom Picks. Beyond Baby , her latest guide and accompanying workbook, makes another wonderful resource for parents, offering productive and calming exercises to help …
We are starting to get really excited about summer break around my house, but I know the inevitable chorus of We're booorrred will start up before too long. Luckily, I am armed and ready with a copy of Project Kid , the new kid craft boo…
#WeNeedDiverseBooks is currently the #1 trending topic on Twitter and is taking over tumblr with user photos of people from all walks of life holding up handmade signs about why we need more diversity in literature -- especially for kids…
I've never been one for new year's resolutions, but every spring you'll find me looking to clean up in more ways than one. There's something about the budding plants, fresh green veggies, and warming weather that inspires me to recommit …