The Children’s Book Review’s Best Selling Picture Book
This month the best selling picture book from our affiliate store is a book featured in our list 5 Books for Teaching Your Kids About Body Safety and Consent:
Written by Jayneen Sanders
Illustrated by Anna Hancock
Publisher’s Synopsis: The crucial skills taught in this book will help children to protect their bodies from inappropriate touch. Children will be empowered to say in a strong and clear voice, “This is my body! What I say goes!” Through age-appropriate illustrations and engaging text this book, written by the author of ‘No Means No!’ and ‘Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept’, will teach children the following crucial and empowering skills in personal body safety: • identifying safe and unsafe feelings • recognizing early warning signs • developing a safety network • using the correct names for private parts • understanding the difference safe and unsafe touch • understanding the difference between secrets and surprises • respecting body boundaries. Approximately 20% of girls and 8% of boys will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday (Pereda, et al, 2009). Parents, caregivers, and educators have a duty of care to protect children by teaching them Body Safety skills. These skills empower children and go a long way in keeping them safe from abuse – ensuring they grow up as assertive and confident teenagers and adults. Also included in this book are in-depth Discussion Questions to further enhance the learning and to initiate important family conversations around body autonomy.
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Ages 3-10 | Publisher: Educate to Empower Publishing | 2016 | ISBN: 978-1925089264
Nationwide Best Selling Picture Books
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. We’re happy to see Mo Willems’ new Pigeon story on this list—everyone loves Pigeon!
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Publisher’s Synopsis: The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree.
Originally performed for ESPN’s The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world’s greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. The robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.
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Ages 6-9 | Publisher: Versify | April 2, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1328780966
Written by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by Rafael López
Publisher’s Synopsis: National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding the courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.
There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael López’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
(This book is also available in Spanish, as El Día En Que Descubres Quién Eres!)
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | Aug. 28, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0399246531
Written by Alexandra Penfold
Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Publisher’s Synopsis: A warm, welcoming picture book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids.
Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other’s traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | July 10, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-0525579649
Written by Matthew A. Cherry
Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Publisher’s Synopsis: It’s up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hairstyle in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.
Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he’ll do anything to make her — and her hair — happy.
Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair — and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Kokila | May 14, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0525553366
Written by Lupita Nyong’o
Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Publisher’s synopsis: From Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers | October 15, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1534425361
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 illustration by Kadir Nelson (Undefeated, Versify, 2019)
For more books like these best-selling picture books, follow along with our Picture Book category!