The Children’s Book Review | July 1, 2017
A whimsical bedtime story that encourages children to explore their imaginations, dream bigger dreams, and see the world through the eyes of others, tops off our best selling picture book list.
You’ll also find our hand selected titles of the most popular picture books from the nationwide best-selling picture books listed by The New York Times. Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted is a great choice for mini activists. The list also continues to host Oliver Jeffers and Drew Daywalt‘s The Day the Crayons Quit.
The Children’s Book Review’s Best Selling Picture Book
Written by Jeff Minich
Illustrated by Renan Garcia
A little dog dreams of all the things she would see and the creatures she might meet–if only she could climb trees. On one blue-sky day, she imagines she’s climbed to the top of a tall tree. Once there, she discovers what life is like for the other creatures in the tree and then comes to find that they also dream their own little dreams. Together they picture a world where bugs have shoes for their little feet; birds have paws to bury treats; and yes, even four-legged Nuggies can climb trees! Moving between day and night, If I Could Climb Trees is a whimsical bedtime story that encourages children to explore their imaginations, dream bigger dreams, and see the world through the eyes of others.
Ages 3-6 | Nuggies Inc. | 2017 | ISBN: 978-0996811576
Order a Copy Now: Amazon
Nationwide Best Selling Picture Books
Written and Illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin
TCBR Review: Every child is unique, and parents can’t wait to see what they will one day be!
Emily Winfield Martin’s delightful book dreams of what children will someday grow to be.
This is a gorgeous book with warm and playful illustrations featuring a diverse set of children. Little ones will be drawn to the pictures, quickly pointing out which one matches what they themselves want to be. The surprise of a double foldout page at the end is a very exciting treat for children too, and my daughter wanted to look at it over and again. The prose is sweet and rhyming, drawing children in and lulling them (hopefully) to sleep before bedtime. A charming book that I highly recommend for young children. Read the full review …
Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Random House Children’s Books | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-0-385-37671-6
Written by Chelsea Clinton
Publisher’s Synopsis: Chelsea Clinton introduces tiny feminists, mini activists and little kids who are ready to take on the world to thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted.
Throughout American history, there have always been women who have spoken out for what’s right, even when they have to fight to be heard. In early 2017, Senator Elizabeth Warren’s refusal to be silenced in the Senate inspired a spontaneous celebration of women who persevered in the face of adversity. In this book, Chelsea Clinton celebrates thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity, sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. They all certainly persisted.
She Persisted is for everyone who has ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who has ever tried to reach for the stars but was told to sit down, and for everyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy or unimportant or small.
With vivid, compelling art by Alexandra Boiger, this book shows readers that no matter what obstacles may be in their paths, they shouldn’t give up on their dreams. Persistence is power.
This book features: Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, Sonia Sotomayor–and one special cameo.
Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Philomel Books | May 30, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1524741723
Written by Adam Rubin
Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Publisher’s synopsis: The hilarious sequel to the smokin’ hot New York Times best seller, perfect for story time
News alert! It has just been discovered that there are NO MORE TACOS left anywhere in the world. This is a huge problem because, as you know, dragons love tacos. If only there was a way for the dragons to travel back in time, to before tacos went extinct. Then they could grab lots of tacos and bring them back! It’s the perfect plan, as long as there’s no spicy salsa. You remember what happened last time . . .
The award-winning creators of Robo-Sauce and Secret Pizza Party return with a gut-bustingly hilarious companion to the bestselling phenomenon Dragons Love Tacos.
“Get ready to have Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel on repeat for your picky little foodies and bibliophiles! Best served out loud after a reading of Dragons Love Tacos—sans spicy salsa.”—The Children’s Book Review
Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Ages 5-8 | Publisher: Dial | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0525428886
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
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
The information for the best-selling picture books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of picture 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.
*Header image from She Persisted, written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger.
The best-selling picture books by Chelsea Clinton, Oliver Jeffers, Drew Daywalt and others, are truly great choices. Follow along with our Picture Book and Board Book categories for more great titles to peruse.