Shannon Hale is the bestselling author behind The Princess in Black series. It's a favorite early chapter book series for kids ages 5–8 and boys love it as much as girls do. Her newest book, Princess in Black and the Trick or Treating Trouble, comes out just in time for Halloween. We talked with her about it as part of our Q&A author series and asked about a few of her favorite things too.
How can Build-A-Bear be used for Halloween costumes? Let kids create a spooky Build-A-Bear sidekick to incorporate into their costume, which can help the costume be enjoyed beyond Halloween.
Cool Mom Picks readers, we are so excited to launch a new series for you. We are obsessed book lovers over here at the CMP headquarters, and we have a particular soft spot for children's books (even though we're moving our kids into coll…
Back-to-school season doesn't have to be all backpacks, supply lists, and new sneakers. Sometimes the best way to mark a new school year is with something that feels a little more fun—and a lot less practical. Enter Build-A-Bear , where …
Back-to-school shopping has a funny way of turning into a negotiation. Parents want shoes that are comfortable and durable. Kids want the pair everyone will notice in the hallway. Luckily, Shiekh makes it a little easier to keep everyone…
If hearing the words K-Swiss instantly transports you back to mall food courts, CD players, and the absolute thrill of picking out your first "cool" sneakers, you're not alone. One of the best parts of back-to-school shopping is seeing a…
Back-to-school shopping has a way of turning into a marathon, but finding a backpack your child actually wants to carry shouldn't be the hardest part. That's why we're so excited about the brand-new collaboration between STATE and Magnet…
Back-to-school shopping has a way of sneaking up on even the most organized moms. One minute you're enjoying summer, and the next you're searching for clothes that can survive playground adventures, classroom crafts, and countless trips …
Packing lunch is one of those back-to-school rituals that happens every single day, so the right lunchbox can make mornings smoother and afternoons a little more enjoyable. Whether you're shopping for an adorable preschooler who needs ea…
If you've ever paid hundreds of dollars for a pair of prescription glasses only to sit on them two weeks later, welcome to the club. That's exactly why we were so intrigued by Zenni Optical. You can get stylish frames with prescription l…
When it comes to baby gifts, we all want to give something that feels a little more meaningful than another stack of onesies. That's exactly why we love Cuddle + Kind . These beautifully hand-knit dolls are the kind of gift that parents …
We've tested our fair share of pool toys in our neighborhood pools over the years, and here's our verdict: Funboy actually lives up to the hype. The designs are playful without feeling over-the-top, the quality is noticeably better than …
My second child is off to college this year, and oh boy, it doesn't get easier. But one thing you can do to prepare is have your dorm room essentials packed and ready to go. That way, when you're moving them in you can focus on them rath…
There’s something about the Fourth of July that just feels like summer at its best. Long afternoons by the pool, burgers on the grill, watching your neighborhood parade, kids laughing in the backyard, and fireworks lighting up the night—…
Summer is short, which is exactly why we refuse to waste it on boring pool floats. If your backyard pool, lake day, or beach vacation could use a little extra personality, Funboy is here to make sure your summer looks as good as it feels…
There are two kinds of kids' clothing: the pieces that look adorable for five minutes and the pieces that somehow become the MVPs of your entire laundry rotation. Primary firmly falls into the second category. If you've never shopped Pri…
If you've ever watched your child come home with scratched lenses, bent frames, or the mysterious announcement that their glasses have "disappeared," you know that shopping for kids' eyewear can feel like a risky investment. That's one r…
We love giving sweet, inspirational books for Kindergarten graduation gifts. Especially when they deliver messages about empowerment, adventure, living your values, and pursuing your dreams. So we've highlighted some of our favorites you…
Summer is officially the season of “I just need a good book.” Beach chair, backyard hammock, poolside lounger—whatever your setup looks like, it’s incomplete without something you actually want to read. And while the kids are building th…
There are plenty of gifts for kids that get a quick smile and then disappear into the toy abyss by next week. And then there are gifts that actually get kept, reread, and proudly dragged to every grandparent visit like a prized possessio…
The weather is gorgeous outside here, which means my kids are respectively jumping in puddles, cutting the grass, and going for hikes on muddy trails -- all in the shoes they've been wearing all winter. Which means: it's time for some ne…
Let’s get real: even if your kids are officially too old for the toddler aisle, spring hits and suddenly everyone wants to be outside—and you actually want that too. Enter Little Tikes , the MVP of outdoor play that somehow manages to ke…
We have always loved giving experience gifts to our kids here at Cool Mom Picks, and concert tickets or other live event tickets are at the top of our teens' lists this year. I personally sat through several very stressful hours waiting …
Let’s talk about Reef —the brand that’s nailed the art of making shoes you actually want to wear every day. Whether you’re chasing kids, running errands, or sneaking in a beach weekend, Reef has that perfect mix of comfort, style, and du…