The Children’s Book Review Trends: What’s Hot in October, 2009?

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 12, 2009

Here is the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site. From freebies to new releases, see what October has to offer.

The Trends

It comes as no surprise that our posting of the “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” trailer is receiving a lot of visitors. The popular book-come-movie was ranked number one at the box office for its first two weekends and grossed $30,304,648 in the first weekend, alone. Perhaps it’s because everyone has been spending their pocket-money at the cinema, or perhaps it’s just that everyone loves a good bargain, no matter what the reason, people are still flocking to discover “Where to Find Free e-Books for Children On-Line“.

We all love Dr. Seuss and what he has to offer for beginner readers. “If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good,” wrote Dr. Seuss. And if you never did … we’ve shared “5 reasons to Love Dr. Seuss“. Now, what about older readers? What is it that holds their attention? “Scat” by Carl Hiaasen, that’s what!

If you’ve read this far, you like knowing what’s hot. Which explains why “The Children’s Book Review Trends: What’s Hot in September, 2009?”  is currently one of our most popular pages to visit.

The New Releases

The most coveted books that release this month:

• How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?, by Jane Yolen (Ages 0-5)
• Waddle!: A Scanimation Picture Book, by Rufus Butler Seder (Ages 3-8)
• Big Frog Can’t Fit In, by Mo Willems (Ages 4-8)
• Pigs Make Me Sneeze!, (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems (Ages 4-8)
• Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, by David Benedictus (Ages 6-8)
• Ivy and Bean – Doomed to Dance, (Ivy & Bean) by Annie Barrows (Ages 6-10)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, by Jeff Kinney (Ages 8-12)
• The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma, by Trenton Lee Stewart (Ages 8-12)
• Peter and the Sword of Mercy, by Dave Barry (Ages 9-12)
• The Looking Glass Wars: ArchEnemy, by Frank Beddor (Young Adult)
• Vampire Academy Collection, by Richelle Mead (Young Adult)
• The Maze Runner (Maze Runner Trilogy), by James Dashner (Young Adult)

The Best Sellers

The best selling children’s books this month:

Picture Books

• SKIPPYJON JONES, LOST IN SPICE, by Judy Schachner (Ages 4-8)
• LISTEN TO THE WIND: THE STORY OF DR. GREG AND “THREE CUPS OF TEA”, by Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth (Ages 4 to 8)
• WADDLE!: A SCANIMATION PICTURE BOOK, written and illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder (Ages 4-8)
• OTIS, written and illustrated by Loren Long (Ages 4-8)
• STREGA NONA’S HARVEST, written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola (Ages 4-8)

Chapter Books

• CATCHING FIRE, by Suzanne Collins (Ages 12 and up)
• THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins (Ages 12 and up)
• THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT, by Kate DiCamillo and Yoko Tanaka (Ages 7 and up)
• SHIVER, by Maggie Stiefvater (Ages 12 and up)
• THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by Neil Gaiman (Ages 10 and up)

Paperback Books

• ALPHAS, by Lisi Harrison (Ages 12 and up)
• THE BOOK THIEF, by Markus Zusak (Ages 14 and up)
• THREE CUPS OF TEA: YOUNG READERS EDITION, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Ages 9 to 12)
• THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN, by Sherman Alexie (Ages 12 and up)
• CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS: JUNIOR NOVELIZATION, by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon (Ages 9-12)

Series Books

• THE TWILIGHT SAGA, by Stephenie Meyer (Ages 12 and up)
• PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan (Ages 9 to 12)
• DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney (Ages 9 to 12)
• THE 39 CLUES, by various authors (Ages 9 to 12)
• VAMPIRE DIARIES, by L. J. Smith (Ages 12 and up)

This information 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. To see the full list you can visit the original list at www.nytimes.com.

Kid’s Literature Events: Circa October, 2009

It’s no secret that it’s cool to read. Where can you be seen promoting literacy and encouraging kids to read?

Is there somewhere you recommend being seen encouraging kids to read or promoting literacy during the month of October? Leave your suggestion in the comments field below.