11 fun things to learn to do that will make you coolest parent, aunt, uncle or grandparent ever.

by Liz Gumbinner | Tips + Tricks

As your kids get older, you realize you don’t have to ply them with gifts or offer extra ice cream at dessert just to be The Cool Parent. (And despite what you may have learned from Amy Poehler in Mean Girls, you don’t have to serve them cocktails with...

The best children’s books of 2015 : Editors’ Best of 2015

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids, Editors Best of the Year

What a treat it is to put together our list of the best children’s books of 2015. Not that it’s easy; we’ve collectively read hundreds of great kids’ books this year — from cute, sweet board books, to excellent picture books for early...

Crayon Crunch: Personalized books get kids with special needs in the story too.

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

We’ve mentioned before that only 3% of children’s books feature characters of color, and there are even fewer that feature kids with special needs. This makes me really sad for the millions of kids out there who want to open up a book and see someone they...

The Only Child by Guojing: A beautiful new wordless book your child will love, whether they have siblings or not

by Kate Etue | Kids

Every once in a while, a children’s picture book will capture me in a way that I just don’t expect it to. The Only Child by Guojing is one that has got me right now. This beautiful story, told only through illustrations, includes a little child and snow...

Immerse your kids in Chinese culture without the super long plane ride

by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings

We love finding new ways to teach our kids about the big, diverse world that extends far beyond the boundaries of their neighborhood and town. And while nothing can replace actually going to the countries themselves, playsets like this one from Whole Wide World...

Sponsored message: GiftLit curated book-a-month subscriptions let you give the gift of reading this holiday

by Cool Mom Team | Books for Kids

This is a sponsored message from GiftLit. You really can’t go wrong when you give books over the holidays, but a special way to make your gift keep on giving all year long is a personalized subscription to GiftLit. GiftLit offers more than 100 different...

Books about manners for kids: 6 excellent options, just in time for the holidays

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

We figured this was a pretty good time to start looking around at some great — and effective — books about manners for kids. I’m sure you feel me; my family calendar is already so booked over the next couple months, which means lots of opportunities...

Sponsored Message: Personalized books from I See Me! make very special gifts this holiday.

by Cool Mom Team | Books for Kids

This is a sponsored message from I See Me! personalized books.   If you’re looking for a special, one-of-a-kind gift for your kids this holiday, check out I See Me! personalized books for kids. These award-winning books are a huge hit with children, because...

The coolest travel books for kids of all ages. Because no, we’re not there yet.

by Kate Etue | Kids

We’re getting close to the holidays, which for many families means road trips with the kids. And there’s nothing more fun, right? Hahahahha. I recently did 16 hours in the car with my three kids — each way — and lived to tell the tale. If...

This Bridge Will Not Be Gray by Dave Eggers: Why can’t all history lessons for kids be like this?

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids, Kids

I admit I’m a sucker for fantastic adult authors who turn their talents towards children’s books — and succeed. See also, Neil Gaiman. It’s not an easy task for sure; it’s hard to strike a balance between child-appropriate and...