Best Selling Picture Books | June 2014

The Children’s Book Review | June 2, 2014

The Children’s Book Review’s best selling picture book for this month is the gorgeously illustrated picture book from Jon J. Muth, The Three Questions. As per usual,  we’ve  also 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 Caldecott star, Journey, by Aaron Becker, as well as 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

The Three Questions [Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) 

By Jon J. Muth

Publisher’s synopsis: With his stunning watercolors—and text that resounds with universal truths, award-winning artist Jon J Muth has transformed a story by Tolstoy into a timeless fable for young readers.

What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? Nikolai knows that he wants to be the best person he can be, but often he is unsure if he is doing the right thing. So he goes to ask Leo, the wise turtle. When he arrives, the turtle is struggling to dig in his garden, and Nikolai rushes to help him. As he finishes work, a violent storm rolls in. Nikolai runs for Leo’s cottage, but on his way, he hears cries for help from an injured panda. Nikolai brings her in from the cold, and then rushes back outside to rescue her baby too.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Scholastic | Apr. 1, 2002 | ISBN-13: 978-0439199964

Nationwide Best Selling Picture Books

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

Journey

By Aaron Becker

Publisher’s synopsis: Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Candlewick Press | August 6, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-0763660536

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 Jon J. Muth, Mo Willems, Aaron Becker, Tom Lichtenheld, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Oliver Jeffers, and Drew Daywalt sure are a gorgeous feast for the eyes. If you’re looking for more awe-inspiring picture books with rich illustrations, check out the full list 2014 Caldecott winner and honors list: Caldecott Award: Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner | 2014.