The Children’s Book Review | December 2, 2014
We think it’s so fun that one of our all-time favorite Christmas books is our best selling picture book from our affiliate store this month—we just love Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man. As per usual, we’ve shared our hand selected titles of the most popular picture books from the nationwide best selling picture books, as listed by The New York Times. While the New York Times best selling picture books list continues to host books by Tom Lichtenheld, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Oliver Jeffers, and Drew Daywalt—true favorites—Jan Brett’s new holiday title has hit the list, The Animals’ Santa.
The Children’s Book Review’s Best Selling Picture Book
Stick Man
By Julia Donaldson; Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Publisher’s synopsis: From superstars Donaldson and Scheffler, a heartwarming holiday tale.
Stick Man lives in the family tree
With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three.
But one day, Stick Man is carried off by a mischievous dog who wants to play fetch! Things go from bad to worse as Stick Man is carried farther and farther away from home. Lonely and lost, Stick Man desperately wants to get home to be with his family for Christmas. And when he helps Santa Claus out of a bind, he finds the perfect ticket home!
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books | September 2009 | ISBN-13: 978-0545157612
Nationwide Best Selling Picture Books
The Animals’ Santa
By Jan Brett
Publisher’s synopsis: When Big Snowshoe tells Little Snow that the animals’ Santa is coming with presents for everyone, Little Snow wants to know who he is. The animals say they have never seen him. Maybe he’s a badger, a moose, a polar bear, or a wolf, they tell him. But this spunky little rabbit thinks they are just fooling him.
On Christmas Eve, Big Snowshoe finds a way to see the animals’ Santa when a Snowy Owl in a red cap swoops down with a pack full of presents. Never again will an excited Little Snow doubt that there is an animals’ Santa.
Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Putnam Juvenile | October 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0399257841
Mix It Up!
By Herve Tullet
Publisher’s synopsis: Accept Hervé Tullet’s irresistible invitation to mix it up in a dazzling adventure of whimsy and wonder. Follow the artist’s simple instructions, and suddenly colors appear, mix, splatter, and vanish in a world powered only by the reader’s imagination. Tullet—who joins such greats as Eric Carle and Leo Lionni as a master of his craft—sets readers on an extraordinary interactive journey all within the printed page. Tullet prompts plenty of giggles in addition to a profound understanding of colors, and once again displays his unique genius and vision in a work that is a glorious and richly satisfying companion to Press Here.
Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | Sept. 16, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1452137353
Press Here
By Herve Tullet
Publisher’s synopsis: Press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! Especially remarkable because the adventure occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page, this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages!
And coming this September! Watch colors splatter, mix and transform in Mix It Up!, the highly anticipated follow-up to Press Here.
Ages 2 and up | Publisher: Chronicle Books | Mar. 30, 2011 | ISBN-13: 978-0811879545
The Day the Crayons Quit
By Drew Daywalt; Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Publisher’s synopsis: Crayons have feelings, too, in this funny back-to-school story illustrated by the creator of Stuck and This Moose Belongs to Me — now a #1 New York Times bestseller!
Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?
Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons and coloring a blue streak after sharing laughs with Drew Daywalt and New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers. This story is perfect as a back-to-school gift, for all budding artists, for fans of humorous books such as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, and for fans of Oliver Jeffers’ Stuck, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Lost and Found, and This Moose Belongs to Me.
Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Philomel | June 27, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-0399255373
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
By Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Publisher’s synopsis: As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they’ll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! With irresistible artwork by best-selling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and sweet, rhyming text, this book will have truck lovers of all ages begging for more.
Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | May 4, 2011 | ISBN-13: 978-0811877824
The information for the best selling books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit www.nytimes.com for their most current and up-to-date list.
As the holiday season ramps up, Julia Donaldson’s Stick Man is an excellent choice and we have loads of holiday books archived for you to search, too. The picture books from this crop of best selling books by Tom Lichtenheld, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Oliver Jeffers, Drew Daywalt and more, sure are a gorgeous feast for the eyes. Follow along with our Picture Book category for more great titles to peruse.
