Best Selling Picture Books | July 2014

The Children’s Book Review | July 2, 2014

Three of the books in The Children’s Book Review‘s best selling picture books list for July fall under the category of American history. Each of the books are deliciously rich in visual cues. 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

Voices from the Oregon Trail 

By Kay Winters; Illustrated by Larry Day

Publisher’s synopsis: Learn about the courageous Americans who journeyed on the Oregon Trail in this picture book perfect for the Common Core

It’s 1848, and brave families band together in covered wagons to head west. Each spread introduces a different speaker to tell his or her part of the story: there’s Carl Hawks, son of the wagon train leader; Louisa Bailey, the newlywed; Chankoowashtay, a Sioux brave; and more. Like its acclaimed predecessor Colonial Voices, this book showcases a thrilling and often dangerous time in our history. Richly detailed illustrations bring the story of the great Westward Expansion to vivid life.

Ages 7-9 | Publisher: Dial | Feb. 27, 2002 | ISBN-13: 978-0803737754

Nationwide Best Selling Picture Books

I am Rosa Parks (Ordinary People Change World) 

By Brad Meltzer; Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

Publisher’s synopsis: “We can all be heroes” is the message entertainingly told in this picture-book biography series from #1 New York Times Bestselling author Brad Meltzer.

Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in a vivacious, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was biography series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Rosa Parks dared to stand up for herself and other African Americans by staying seated, and as a result she helped end public bus segregation and launch the country’s Civil Rights Movement.

This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, providing them with the right role models, supplementing Common Core learning in the classroom, and best of all, inspiring them to strive and dream.

Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Dial | June 17, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0803740853

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. If you’re looking for more awe-inspiring picture books with rich illustrations and also teach about courageous Americans, visit our American History Books tag.