A new children’s picture book with a beautiful message we all need to hear right now
This is a sponsored post on behalf of mineditionUS We’re only now coming to understand how to help our kids process the hardship and loss they’ve experienced these past couple of years. We’ve always turned to children’s books as a tool for...
The cutest board books for babies and toddlers, for the holidays and every day!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of mineditionUS Give the gift of reading and togetherness this holiday season, and well, any day of the year, with the board books from mineditionUS/Astra Books for Young Readers. They’ve been carefully created with everything...
3 unique subscription boxes for kids that teach the values of gratitude, kindness, and giving back to others
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, charity and giving to others is particuarly top of mind, which is why I was just so happy to discover several subscription boxes for kids that teach those very values. Many of us are talking to our kids about things to be thankful...
Spectacular Sisters is the perfect gift for a favorite sister in your life
As one of three sisters, I was naturally excited to get my hands on Spectacular Sisters: Amazing Stories of Ssters from Around the World, by Aura Lewis. I’ve been having so much fun revisiting some of my favorite sister stories, while also learning about some...
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
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
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
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...
5 must-read children’s books about 9/11, featuring heroes and helpers
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.
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.
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...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
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.)
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