The Children’s Book Review | August 2, 2014
Every single book on this list is purely entertaining, each in their own special way. Like all good picture books, the illustrations are winning. As per usual, we’ve shared our hand selected list of the most popular picture books from the nationwide best selling picture books, as listed by The New York Times. This month still features the award-winning Mo Willems with his latest Pigeon book. The list continues to include books by Tom Lichtenheld, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Oliver Jeffers, and Drew Daywalt—true favorites.
The Children’s Book Review’s Best Selling Picture Book
What I Like About Me
By Allia Zobel-Nolan; Illustrated by Miki Sakamoto
Publisher’s synopsis: This fun-loving book proves to kids that, in a world where fitting in is the norm, being different is what makes us special.
The kids in What I Like About Me! are as different as night and day. And, guess what? They love it. Some adore the fact that their braces dazzle and gleam, others feel distinguished when they wear their glasses. Still others wouldn’t trade their big feet for a lifetime of free video games. A mylar mirror embedded in the last page let kids take a look at themselves and decide what they like best about themselves.
Ages 3-8 | Publisher: Reader’s Digest | Aug. 30, 2005 | ISBN-13: 978-0794407636
Nationwide Best Selling Picture Books
Dragons Love Tacos
By Adam Rubin; Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Publisher’s synopsis: This scrumptious New York Times bestseller has a whole lot of kick!
Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.
The award-winning team behind Those Darn Squirrels! has created an unforgettable, laugh-until-salsa-comes-out-of-your-nose tale of new friends and the perfect snack.
Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Dial | June 14, 2012 | ISBN-13:978-0803736801
The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
By Mo Willems
Publisher’s synopsis: The Pigeon really needs a bath! Except, the Pigeon’s not so sure about that. Besides, he took a bath last month! Maybe. It’s going to take some serious convincing to try and get the Pigeon to take the plunge.
Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Disney-Hyperion | April 1, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1423190875
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
Locomotive
By Brian Floca
Publisher’s synopsis: All aboard! From the creator of the “stunning” (Booklist) Moonshot, a rich and detailed sensory exploration of America’s early railroads.
It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean.
Come hear the hiss of the steam, feel the heat of the engine, watch the landscape race by. Come ride the rails, come cross the young country!
Ages 4-10 | Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books | Sept. 3, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-1416994152
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
By Sherri Duskey Rinker (Author), Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
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.
The picture books from this crop of best selling books by Mo Willems, 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.
