These latest NAPPA Award-winning books make history come alive for young readers. Vibrant illustrations and interesting facts will engage kids sense of curiosity.

Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars

Kid Scientists by David Stabler and illustrated by Anoosha Syed is filled with funny and totally true childhood biographies and full-color illustrations that tell the tales from the challenging yet defining growing-up years of Albert Einstein, Jane Goodall, Marie Curie, and 12 other brilliant scientists. $13.95, ages: 8 – 12.

Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father!

Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father! tells the story of one of the most ambitious and controversial figures in American history in a graphic novel format. From a rough childhood on the Caribbean island of Nevis to the highest levels of American politics, Alexander Hamilton’s life was filled with adventure, conflict, and controversy. Full-color illustrations and an entertaining narrative make this graphical biography of America’s first Secretary of the Treasury accessible for readers of all ages. $12.99, ages 8 – 12.

Amelia Earhart: Pioneer of the Sky!

When Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, she immediately became an American icon and a subject of endless fascination for generations to come. In Amelia Earhart: Pioneer of the Sky!, the story of the bold and daring aviator’s life is presented in graphic novel format, with full-color illustrations and historically accurate details. From her hardscrabble childhood to her final flight—and mysterious disappearance—Earhart’s journey will entertain, captivate, and inspire readers of all ages. $12.99, ages 8 – 12.

Martin Luther King Jr.: Voice for Equality!

This graphical biography tells the story of the most prominent leader of the American civil rights movement. With full-color illustrations and a historically accurate narrative, Martin Luther King Jr.: Voice for Equality! will inform and entertain readers of all ages. From his childhood in Atlanta to his rise as an international icon of human rights and a fiery orator who refused to back down in the face of adversity, King’s life story serves as an ongoing source of inspiration.$12.99, ages 8 – 12.

Abraham Lincoln: Defender of the Union!

Considered by many historians to be the greatest American president, Abraham Lincoln led the Union at the greatest turning point in the nation’s history. Abraham Lincoln: Defender of the Union! tells the story of one of America’s most admired figures in graphic novel format. From his childhood on a farm in Kentucky to the battlefields of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln served the United States with resolve, intelligence, and courage unlike that of any other president. Readers of all ages will be entertained and educated by the full-color illustrations and historically accurate narrative of this graphical biography.$12.99, ages 8 – 12.

#books #kids #parenting #booknook #playlearnconnect #welovebooks #read

At NAPPA Awards we are passionate about books and reading, which is why we are super excited about our latest winners. Each one of these books is special in its own way and all would make a great addition to your family book collection.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

In spare, lyrical verse and vibrant images for which she has become legendary, Yuyi Morales has created a picture book memoir and a testament to the journey that she and her son took together from Mexico to the San Francisco Bay Area. Dreamers is a beautiful and powerful story that celebrates the gifts that all immigrants bring with them crossing the border into a new country.  $18.99, ages 4-8

News from Me, Lucy McGee

When the coolest girl in the class invites you to her exclusive after-school club, how can you say no? Soon Lucy McGee realizes she’s been tricked into becoming mean girl Scarlett Tandy’s errand girl. Things get complicated as she tries to balance school, friends, frenemies, songwriting and family expectations. News from Me, Lucy McGee by Mary Amato and illustrated by Jessica Meserve, is a new chapter book series featuring a spunky heroine who matches wits with a mean girl and learns you can’t lose sight of what’s important. $15.99, ages: 7 -10.

Noodleheads Find Something Fishy

Although Mac and Mac are as hollow-headed as, well, noodles, they’re always coming up with brilliant schemes, but kids can use their own noodles to see where the brothers’ ideas go wrong. Noodleheads Find Something Fishy by Tedd Arnold and Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss is a graphic novel, perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers. It offers short, funny chapters following Mac and Mac through ridiculous adventures. This series rooted in world folklore and traditional tales of fools is full of wordplay, jokes and slapstick humor. $15.99, ages: 6-9.

When The Cousins Came

Inspired by the author’s own large, diverse family, When the Cousins Came, by Katie Yamasaki, is a sensitive story about insecurity, hosting and friendship. Katie Yamasaki’s picture book, paired with bright mixed-media art, reminds children that negative thoughts and anxiety over exclusion don’t always translate to reality, and that even when plans go wrong you can still have a good time together. $17.99, ages 4-8.

#booknook #nappaawards #playlearnconnect #welovebooks #read #kids #parenting #books

 

Although breakfast is the most important meal of the day, many of us resort to sugar-laden cereal bars or fast food on busy weekday mornings. Feeding your family a nutritious breakfast is crucial though for creating happy and focused minds throughout busy school and work days. These healthy and delicious breakfast meal prep recipes make eating on the go a breeze for the entire family.

Honey-Sweetened Blueberry Muffins

Most store-bought muffins contain loads of added sugar and processed ingredients. These healthier blueberry muffins make for an easy and satisfying grab-and-go breakfast in the morning. Just prepare a big batch on Sunday, freeze some and keep them for the whole week.

Recipe here

Freezer Breakfast Burritos With Sausage, Eggs, and Salsa Verde

Breakfast burritos are portable, yummy and perfect for meal prepping. Simply make as many burritos as your family will need for the week, customizing ingredients to your liking, and pop them in the freezer. Reheat in the microwave or skillet the morning you need them, and you have a delicious and filling breakfast for the whole family.

Recipe here

Spinach Muffins for Toddlers

When sending your little one to preschool, you want to be sure they’re getting a healthy breakfast they will also enjoy. These easy muffins can be stored in an airtight container for a few days, or they can be frozen and saved for later. Mild in flavor and full of nutrition, these spinach muffins are perfect for busy mornings.

Recipe here

Breakfast Banana Pops

Although these pops last all week long, don’t be surprised if your kids are tempted to devour them all in one day. This healthy breakfast is delicious, completely mess free and can easily be prepared in advance. What’s not to love?

Recipe here

Healthy Egg Muffin Cups

Eggs are a great start to any morning, but most families save them for the weekend. With these though, nutritious and delicious eggs can become a staple family breakfast all week long. Baking eggs into freezable breakfast cups is a perfect way to add veggies to your children’s diets, and they provide the energy they need to get them through busy school mornings.

Recipe here

Healthy 2-Ingredient Breakfast Cookies

This recipe is so simple and healthy; you’re whole family will fall in love with them. Only two ingredients, allergen-friendly, and extremely customizable, these breakfast cookies will leave your kids satisfied and ready for the day. These are perfect for meal prepping for school days as they are sure to make your kids excited to get up in the mornings.

Recipe here

Strawberry Breakfast Bites

When food is fun, nutritious, and delicious, what more could you ask for? These strawberry breakfast bites are super easy to make, great for kids of any age, and they are even nut free. Perfectly portable, these strawberry breakfast bites are great for busy weekday mornings.

Recipe here

Know a new mom? She’ll be excited to learn about these latest NAPPA Award winners.

TotsBots EasyFit Diaper

TotsBots EasyFit diaper is the ultimate all-in-one reusable diaper. At the heart of it’s design, the EasyFit is made for your baby’s comfort, and makes changing time effortless. Super absorbent bamboo interior is soft on baby’s skin, stay dry edges make for leak-free wear and waterproof exterior comes in a range of fun, brightly colored prints. The clever adjustable popper design  ensures a great fit from birth to potty-trained. $26.95.

The Molar Magician

The Molar Magician is a uniquely designed teething aid shaped specifically to reach and soothe the back of the mouth molar area for babies and toddlers. Unlike traditional teethers, the flexible, yet firm, arms and legs reach back around front teeth and gums to the areas your little one needs the relief the most. The oval shape is designed to prevent The Molar Magician from reaching too far while also allowing for easy one-handed use by small hands. $15.99, ages 6 months+.

Lullabuddy

The Lullabuddy is a lullaby player & speaker that comes pre-loaded with 2 hours of Mae Robertson’s award winning lullabies and love songs — music that both parents and babies will enjoy.

The super compact music player comes with a shuffle button, a one-hour timer and a mini USB cable for charging. When fully charged, it will play for up to 18 hours. The music was remastered specifically for the Lullabuddy with wonderful sound quality. The speaker is also Bluetooth enabled so that other music can be played from a mobile device. Lullabuddy is easy to use. Just press play and enjoy. $60, ages birth+.

Tommee Tippee Electric Steam Sterilizer

This sleek, compact sterilizer cleans five bottles in five minutes with the click of a button. The Tommee Tippee Electric Steam Sterilizer kills 99.9% of all germs without chemicals. BPA and phthalate free. $69.99.

MEMEENO Baby Belly Band

The MEMEENO Belly Band applies optimal amount of coverage, compression and natural warmth on a baby’s belly, providing womb-like security and just enough hug around the tummy to ease out gas and relieve aches caused by colic symptoms. The band is uniquely designed with a baby’s safety and comfort in mind. It’s made from high quality GOTS-certified organic cotton fabrics. All prints use organic water-based dyes. $17.99, ages birth-12 months.

For more award-winning baby and new mom products, visit NAPPA Baby Essentials.

As parents, we love when fun and learning come together. That’s why we’re so excited for these latest NAPPA Award winners.

Sir Dapp! Game Show

Fun and etiquette come together with an animated silver-haired Schnauzer in the Sir Dapp! Game Show app. Children select from categories like “Sight What’s Polite,” “Historically Rude,” and “Trivia Soup,” with the main canine character, Sir Dapp, guiding them to complete fun raps, decide “who did it?,” figure out what is polite or rude and more. Occasional commercial “breaks,” PSA’s, and music videos with teaching messages further the game show theme. $3.99, ages 5-7.

Jabuka

Ready for a fun brain challenge? Jabuka will have you quickly twisting letters and transforming words in this clever and fast-paced word game. The playing pieces are shaped like coffee beans and packaged in a mini jute sack — perfect for on-the-go fun, especially when traveling. $20, ages 8+.

Let’s Read App

The Let’s Read app gives parents, teachers, grandparents and other special friends and family an opportunity to record their voices reading children’s stories. It’s fun and easy to use on your phone or tablet. The app synchronizes your video/audio recordings with the app’s illustrations and text from an award-winning collection of picture books. Families can then share their own personalized, read-aloud stories on a private, secure family network. Free, ages 4+

Video Poodle

Videopoodle.com is a wholesome, fun and informational video website made just for kids. It is a positive and trusted environment, free of advertising and unsafe links, where children can safely watch responsibly made videos designed to engage, inspire and grow young minds. All of Video Poodle’s series, videos and content are written, designed and produced in-house. $10/yearly subscription, ages 2-6.

 

 

 

When I was a kid, I would ravage through my fridge after school to find the perfect snack. After-school hunger is an extremely common feeling amongst children, so it’s crucial to find snacks that will satisfy your child as well as provide ample nutrition to help them conquer their homework. Here at NAPPA, we’ve compiled a list of brain-boosting foods along with great recipes that will satisfy the cravings and tastebuds of your whole family.

Avocados

Avocados are incredible for boosting brainpower because of their healthy monounsaturated fats. Our brains are made up of nearly 60% fat, so eating fat is extremely important for normal brain function. Avocados can increase blood flow in the brain, which helps improve learning and memory. Aside from all their health benefits, the creamy texture and mild flavor of avocados make them irresistible treats.

Recipes:
Lady Bugs on a Stick
Avocado Mango Fruit Roll-Ups

Nuts

Nuts are small, but they’re mighty when it comes to brain health. Walnuts contain high amounts of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that has been linked to improved cognitive performance, and almonds and hazelnuts contain concentrated amounts of vitamin e, an essential vitamin that can improve memory. Including these tasty brain-boosting foods in your child’s after-school snack might help make their homework go a little more smoothly.

Recipes:
Honey-Sweetened Almond Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Walnut Date Energy Balls

Blueberries

Blueberries are more than just tasty treats. They contain elements called flavonoids that have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Most importantly, they greatly benefit the brain by helping to counter inflammation and increase attention in kids. Delicious and nutritious, these nutrient powerhouses are perfect for incorporating into your child’s next after-school snack.

Recipes:
Frozen Yogurt-Covered Blueberries
Blueberry Crunch Bars

Salmon

Salmon, like a lot of fish, is an incredible brain food. Aiding in sleep and cognitive performance, it’s no wonder salmon is considered one of the best brain foods out there. Incorporating salmon into your kids’ after school snacks can be easy, delicious, and extremely beneficial for their brain health!

Recipes:
Parmesan Fish Sticks
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are versatile, delicious, and great for your child’s brain! Containing brain-protecting nutrients called carotenoids, tomatoes help with long-term brain health. One of its carotenoids, lycopene, regulates genes that promote inflammation, and it helps promote brain growth. All this goodness packed into one savory fruit, tomatoes are perfect additions to any after-school treat.

Recipes:
Bell Pepper Pizzas
Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Eggs

Protein and choline rich, eggs are great for keeping your child’s brain health in check. Choline can help increase memory and communication between brain cells, so eating eggs can help your child concentrate and perform better in school. Eggs can be eaten in many ways, so you are sure to find an after-school egg recipe your child will love.

Recipes:
Kid-Friendly Deviled Eggs
Egg Wraps

Green Vegetables

With cancer-fighting properties, heart-healthy nutrients, and memory and concentration improving vitamins, green vegetables are crucial for increased brainpower in kids. Leafy greens such as spinach and even herbs such as rosemary boast health effects for the entire body, as increased brain health is just one of the many benefits of eating green vegetables.

Recipes:
Broccoli Tots
Kid-Friendly Kale Chips

 

For parents looking to gain a greater understanding of their child’s screen use, we have two new NAPPA Award- winning Apps that help with the monitoring.

WebWatcher

WebWatcher

This app allows parents to more closely monitor their tweens’ and teens’ device use. The App will send all recorded data to a secure web-based account which allows parents to monitor remotely from any device. WebWatcher allows parents to view messages (texts, Facebook and other social media), call history, photos, website history, GPS and more.$10.83/month.

Screen Time Parental Control

Screen Time Parental Control

This app is designed to help parents gain a better understanding of just how much time their kids are spending on a screen. Includes a “pause button,” allowing parents to use their own smartphone to “pause” their child’s device remotely. The app also allows children to earn more screen time by doing specific things set up by the parents, such as chores or homework. Parents can also set daily screen time limits and block certain apps at specific times of day, in addition to many other useful features.$4.99/month.

 

 

 

Check out our latest NAPPA Award winners just for baby and new mom!

The Nuzzle Baby Lounger with AiraTex 

This lounger provides an ideal spot for baby – sides swaddle baby and prevent rolling with best in class breathability. The AiraTex three dimensional weaving technology cradles your baby on millions of fingers of thread, quite literally holding your baby up on a bed of breathable air for a safe and comfortable rest. Naturally regulates baby’s body heat. Washable, interchangeable cover available in several playful designs. Portable, lightweight and hypoallergenic. $189, ages infants – 8 months

Nanit Plus

This high quality video monitor helps your baby and you sleep like a baby. Nanit’s overhead HD camera tracks and understands everything happening in your baby’s crib (sleep patterns, parent visits, room conditions), and then provides personalized, scientifically-backed sleep guidance to help your baby, and you, sleep better. $279, ages birth to 36 months.

BelleMa Euphoria Pro with IDC and 3D Milk Collection Kit  

This efficient and compact breast pump features a Closed System designed with a barrier to prevent milk form entering the tube and the motor — an important feature since milk residue in the tubes and motor can cause contamination. This model also offers the IDC feature, allowing mom to control the suction levels on left and right pumps separately. Moms with different breast conditions can now express using both pumps adjusting the suction levels individually. $129.00, ages birth to 12 months,

SnoozeShade for Playards and Pack’n’Plays

This soft, safe, stretchy breathable mesh canopy for playards was invented by a British mom. It’s perfect for creating a darkened, calm and distraction-free sleep environment for little ones wherever they are.
Great for room-sharing with baby, trips away from home, camping, vacation or during bright summer months. It also gives protection from insects and mosquitos. $89.99, ages birth until child outgrows playard.

zooby Car and Home Baby Monitor

Zooby Car and Home Baby Monitor by Infanttech

This car and home baby monitor is cute and portable. Comes with a free app for your smart device.  Zooby lets you keep an eye on baby day and night even when baby is in a rear facing car seat. Features two-way audio and three preset lullabies. $169.97

For more product reviews for your little bundle of joy, visit our Baby Essentials section of NAPPA Awards.

Our latest NAPPA Award-winning books bring a sense of whimsy and promote well-being. Pick up a copy to enjoy with your family.

Claire Lost Her Bear at the World’s Fair and Benny Bear Book and Stuffed Toy Bundle

Go on a retro adventure with Claire and her special bear, Benny. You’ll learn lots of interesting facts about the World’s Fair and enjoy a sweet story about relationships and kindness. When Claire loses her favorite bear at the 1964 World’s Fair, she finds out what truly matters in life. $34.95, ages 2+.

Buckets, Dippers, and Lids: Secrets to Your Happiness

Take the concept of bucket filling further by adding the idea that we also have an invisible lid that is used to protect and keep the happiness inside our bucket. This concrete concept helps all ages grow in understanding, kindness, self-control, resilience, empathy and forgiveness. $10.95, ages 7+

 The Princess and the Pickup Truck

This is a book for princesses who wear hiking boots and walk around with their hair in a mess, and princes who drive pickup trucks. This Appalachian retelling of  The Princess and the Pea is written by PEN Award winning author Bil Lepp, with bright and eclectic illustrations by Lottie Looney. A perfect book for your rough and tumble royalty.$15.95, ages 5-10

For more award-winning books, visit our Book Nook!

#books #WeLoveReading #ReadWithYourKids 

 

 

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