Books for Kids

Why it’s important to talk to your kids about religion (even if you’re not religious): 3 books to help guide your conversation

As a full-time religious studies professor for the past fifteen years, I’ve lost track of how many fellow parents have asked for recommendations when their kids started asking questions about religion. While evangelical Christians and other religious “insiders” tend...

How Ada Twist, Scientist is making STEM more accessible to girls | Spawned Episode 253

by Kristen Chase | Books for Kids, Entertainment + Media, Podcast

In a very exciting first for Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we chat with aerospace engineer, Keji Sojobi, who is a part of the new book-to-TV adaptation of the very popular Ada Twist, Scientist. We love how she’s working to make STEM more accessible to girls,...

Why it’s important for kids to read diverse books, with author Meena Harris | Spawned Ep 251

by Kristen Chase | Books for Kids, Doing Good, Podcast

With the recent news of the York Central School District book ban (only just a few hours from where Kristen lives, by the way), we thought it was important to re-share this amazing episode with the delightful, brilliant Meena Harris. She’s an activist,...

3 new books for kids about climate change that inform, uplift, and help us move forward

by Caroline Siegrist | Books for Kids, Doing Good

I know I’m not the only parent struggling with how to talk with their kids about climate change. So I was thrilled to discover these hopeful kids’ books about climate change, each of which educates without inducing panic or despair. A tall order if you ask...

14 magnificent children’s and YA books for Hispanic Heritage Month

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

September means new backpacks and football kickoff and pumpkin spice latte month (*insert eyeroll), but mid-month, September becomes Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15). So we put together some of our very favorite children’s and YA books...

5 must-read children’s books about 9/11, featuring heroes and helpers

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

I’ve been looking for books about 9/11 for children because with the 20th anniversary of that horrific morning here this year (and it’s hard to believe that), I want to be sure my kids to really understand the importance of this day. You may want to read...

What is Labor Day? This book (and its read-aloud video) is a perfect way to explain.

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids

I’m not sure how many kids have ever really asked what is Labor Day? It’s become synonymous with the unofficial end of summer, a three-day weekend, barbecues, and yeah, mattress sales. So much so, we kind of blow past it without the typical tributes and...

Here’s the one brilliant tip that got my reluctant teen reading more. And, the books that helped.

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids, Tips + Tricks

My kids devoured books when they were little. Now that they’re teens, the stars of YouTube and Discord seem to be a bigger draw than the classic characters of literature I wish they would spend their time with. (Of course, calling them “classic characters...

Mighty Kind: A fun, compassionate, anti-racism, pro-kindness magazine for today’s kids

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

While a great number of people seem to be flipping out about kids learning “critical race theory” in elementary school [ed note: it’s taught in law schools, not elementary schools], we’re grateful that our readers have always been interested...

This list of the best YA books of all time is absolutely awesome

by Caroline Siegrist | Books for Adults, Books for Kids

Not to brag, but here at CMP, we’re kind of kids’ books experts. We round up the best of the best lists every year, keep taps on the new releases, and share all kinds of YA book recommendations for parents. Which is why I was so happy when I saw that Time...

Try these must-read books for kids who like video games. Because all genres are good genres!

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

I’ve been searching the shelves of my local bookstore to find great books for kids who like video games. And I’m sharing them here, because I know I am not the only parent whose once-avid reader would much rather pick up an Xbox controller than a book...

Making a Baby is the diverse, inclusive, very frank children’s picture book about sex and reproduction that we’ve been looking for

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

When my kids were in early elementary school, every parent I knew seemed to be looking for the perfect children’s book about sex and reproduction. I cannot overemphasize how much I wish I’d had the beautifully inclusive and thoughtful Making a Baby by...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.

Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)

We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).

We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.