reading with kids Archives

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

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...

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...

7 terrific new YA books with LGBTQ+ main characters: They’re not just for Pride Month

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

Happy Pride! It’s been such a joy finding so many terrific YA books with LGBTQ+ main characters for this post. I always turn to books when I am looking for resources to help more kids feel seen and understood — and to help kids see and understand other...

Download this free, printable summer reading list challenge for kids of all ages. (Yes, summer is here!)

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

When I saw this printable diverse summer reading list challenge for kids over at the Oaxacaborn homeschool group on Facebook, I immediately had to share it. Schools here in Nashville have already dismissed for summer break —I know the rest of the country is...

7 must-read children’s books about inspiring Asian-Americans

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

When it comes to creating empathy and developing a commitment of justice and respect in my children, I tend to turn toward good children’s books. In fact, we’ve shared some of our favorite children’s books about important African American figures,...

The Dolly Parton Little Golden Book we’ve all been waiting for. (“We” being my entire family.)

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

If you know anything about me and my family, you might have guessed that we’d be marking our calendars for the launch of My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton, which will be added to the Little Golden Book library this coming September. As a Nashville-native,...

3 powerful children’s books about grief, to help them process an unimaginable 12 months.

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

You know we often turn to books when we want to help our children through their struggles and feelings, and this month feels like the right time to share some excellent children’s books on grief and loss. When I think back over the last twelve months of...

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.