Overview
Mom’s Choice Reviews™ is an innovative children’s book review service unparalleled in the publishing industry.
Mom’s Choice Reviews offers book industry professionals the opportunity to have their product reviewed by a team of award-winning publishing and industry marketing experts, acquisition librarians, retailers, and members of the consumer community.
Mom’s Choice Reviews is the only review service which provides comprehensive evaluations that consider production quality, editorial quality, layout/design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, cost, marketing, and distribution.
Mom’s Choice Reviews uses a contemporary, holistic approach which considers every element that can impact the success your work. We’ve put a new twist on the ‘traditional’ review that publishers and authors expect by including input from industry experts and consumers.
Parents, educators, retailers, and the media trust the Mom's Choice Reviews for children’s book reviews and evaluations.
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Our Goals
Mom's Choice Reviews believes that publishers, authors, and illustrators dedicated to creating quality children's literature should have the opportunity to receive professional reviews.
Reviews are a critical element of any marketing plan, but they are not always within reach for members of the independent publishing community, boutique presses, and companies with smaller budgets.
We also believe that families deserve the best when it comes to reading with their children. Parents want to enjoy children's literature, not just children's books. Those books aren't easy to find – or cheap – so they look to others for guidance. They want a resource they can trust.
Mom’s Choice Reviews promotes goodwill and advances the level of quality in children’s literature. With our formula for blending the traditional industry model with target audience input, Moms Choice Reviews gives producers and consumers reliable information, allowing them to make smart, effective decisions.
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The Evaluation Process
The Mom’s Choice Reviews (MCR) evaluation process is carefully designed to offer constructive analysis. The sole intent of the process is to offer information that allows for product improvement and/or personal growth. All MCR evaluators are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis. Each MCR evaluator pledges to present positive comments wherever and whenever possible and to refrain from unsupported criticism.
The evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which books are scored on a number of elements in two phases.
Phase I includes:
Production quality
Paper stock, binding, print quality, etc.
Editorial quality
Grammar, punctuation, storyline
Design/layout
Cover design, interior graphic design, typography, text to image balance, spine allowance, etc.
Publishing Essentials
ISBN, LCCN, cataloging data, barcode data, etc.
Distribution
Is the book available from libraries, chain booksellers, independent booksellers, and from major online retailers?
Marketing
Is there a Website? What is its purpose (e.g., storefront, additional activities, resources, blog)? What is the promotional plan? What types of marketing collateral have been prepared? What promotion has taken place to date?
Books must meet a minimum rating in Phase I in order to advance to Phase II of the evaluation process.
In Phase II, the book will be introduced to members of the consumer community: parents, educators, and children. Facilitators document participants reaction(s): Did the child(ren) find the book interesting? Did the book keep their attention through the end? Did the child(ren) ask for it to be read again and again? Is the work appropriate for the publisher’s stated intended audience?
Parents and educators are asked to give their opinion, to provide any pros or cons they associate with the book, and to identify any educational value (explicit or implied) they took from reading the book.
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The Opus Analyzer
Once Phase I and II are complete, the Opus Analyzer (evaluation scorecard) is provided to the submitting party.
The Opus Analyzer includes:
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Scores by category
A professionally written review of the book
Encouraging advice on how the work might be improved
Words of appreciation for areas that rated exceptionally well
With the approval of the submitting party, we will post our review on the Mom’s Choice website and on Amazon.com.
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A Mark of Distinction
The MCR seal helps parents, caregivers, educators, and retailers select quality works for children. Three levels of commendation may be awarded through the MCR evaluation process.
Mom’s Choice Treasure
A Mom’s Choice Treasure indicates that our evaluators unanimously found the product to be stellar in every criterion: production value, entertainment/educational value, appeal, and originality. This prestigious commendation is given to those works which are considered timeless treasures. This is a work that advances the level of quality children’s literature.
Mom’s Choice Recommended
A Mom’s Choice Recommended seal indicates that our evaluators found the product as one that distinguishes itself from its competitors in the same genre or target audience. This commendation implies that after our thorough evaluation, the product exceeds our baseline standards for production value, entertainment/educational value, and appeal.
Mom’s Choice Approved
A Mom’s Choice Approved seal indicates a quality product that portrays and encourages positive values. Books that earn this recognition have exceeded MCR baseline standards in at least two evaluation categories and are standouts when compared to other products in the same genre or target audience.
Not every book will qualify for a commendation. Publishers, authors, and illustrators whose works earn these designations will receive a Certificate of Recognition and receive the right to use the associated Mom’s Choice seal. They will also receive a $50 discount off the entry fee for the Mom’s Choice Awards® program*.
The seal may be used in marketing and promotional initiatives and on book covers and product packaging. A small licensing fee is associated with the use of the Mom's Choice seals, and recipients must agree to the Mom's Choice Image Use Policy.
*Important note: A favorable review does not imply the work is worthy of an MCR commendation. Furthermore, an MCR commendation does not imply the work is worthy of a Mom’s Choice Award - a separate and distinct awards competition program.
Mom’s Choice Reviews advances the level of quality in children’s literature. Submit your product for a comprehensive evaluation.
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Philanthropic Spirit
Once the review process is complete, all products are donated to schools, libraries, and charities that promote reading and/or work with children.
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