Special Collections

New York Times Best Sellers Children's Picture Books

Description: Bookshare is pleased to present the top 10 picture books from the New York Times Best Sellers list, updated weekly. The month and year given are when the title first appeared on the Times' list. You may find some old and new favorites! #kids


Showing 26 through 50 of 82 results
 
 

Zilot and Other Important Rhymes

by Bob Odenkirk and Erin Odenkirk and Nate Odenkirk and Naomi Odenkirk

Emmy Award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer, comedian, and actor Bob Odenkirk and his daughter, illustrator Erin Odenkirk, present poetic nonsense for all ages perfect for fans of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky!

Bob Odenkirk began writing these poems with his children when they were little, compiling the poetry into a homemade book entitled Olde Time Rhymes. He wanted Nate and Erin to understand that actual people had written the books the family loved to read and to instill in them the feeling that they could be writers and illustrators themselves. Almost twenty years later, when the Odenkirks found themselves quarantined under the same roof, they revisited these mostly silly, sometimes poignant works. It wasn't until Erin began to create illustrations to accompany the words, though, that the book grew to be something much bigger than an Odenkirk family treasure.

From the titular made-up word for a blanket fort, an adorable dog with a penchant for the zoomies, and a father teaching his kids how umbrellas work, the subjects of these works, complemented by Erin’s whimsical and detailed linework, come alive on these pages. Featuring over seventy poems, Zilot & Other Important Rhymes will delight readers young and old.

Date Added: 03/05/2024


Year: 2023

Month: October

Something, Someday

by Amanda Gorman

The stunning new picture book by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson.

You’re told that This won’t work,But how will you know If you never try?

Presidential inaugural poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Christian Robinson have created a timeless message of hope. Sometimes the world feels broken. And problems seem too big to fix. But somehow, we all have the power to make a difference. With a little faith, and maybe the help of a friend, together we can find beauty and create change.

With intimate and inspiring text and powerfully stunning illustrations, Something, Someday reveals how even the smallest gesture can have a lasting impact.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 12/22/2023


Year: 2023

Month: October

Construction Site

by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Get ready for takeoff! This addition to the beloved New York Times bestselling Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series features the same fan-favorite trucks in an exciting new setting: a bustling airport!When an airport needs an expansion, the Construction Site crew is on the job! With help from fun new vehicles from the airport, they’ll build new roads and runways, prep planes for their trips, and clean up after a surprise snowstorm.The airport is a busy place—Belt Loader, Tractor, Snowplow, and many other vehicles pull the planes, pump the fuel, move the luggage, maintain the runways, and much more. Working together, the team will get all the planes in the air in time for a sweet and sleepy goodnight. Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford, the author-illustrator team behind many bestselling Goodnight Construction Site books, bring their playful rhyming text and vibrant illustrations to another exciting tale of teamwork, sure to satisfy construction fans everywhere.THE SKY IS THE LIMIT: An airplane book to delight toddlers at home and on the go! Special new vehicles help the original crew fuel the planes, maintain the runways, clear away snow, and build a BIG new airport wing so that everyone can get where they are goingROLLICKING READ-ALOUD: Sherri Duskey Rinker’s bouncing, energetic rhymes make for a tremendously satisfying read-aloud experience, perfect for active kids who love construction.TEACHES TEAMWORK: Just like all the stories in the Construction Site series, this book emphasizes working together and the joy of a job well done—real-world skills presented to young readers in a fun, accessible setting!REST AS REWARD: These books help small children slow their own engines and wind down after a busy day. Each story offers the delight of construction work and a well-earned, sleepy ending to tuck readers into bed.Perfect for:Young truck, tractor, and construction fansFamilies getting ready for a tripAirplane, flight, and airport vehicle enthusiastsParents and caregivers looking for action-packed books about teamwork and friendshipTeachers, librarians, and storytime readersBirthday, holiday, or travel activity gift for little vehicle fansFans of the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site seriesReaders who love classic children's books by authors such as Dr. Seuss, Chris Van Dusen, Kevin Henkes, and Sandra Boynton

Date Added: 11/16/2023


Year: 2023

Month: October

Just Because

by Matthew McConaughey and Renée Kurilla

The debut picture book by Academy Award-winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey.

Just because I’m in the race,

doesn’t mean I’m fully ready.

Just because I’m shaking,

doesn’t mean that I’m not steady.

Have you ever felt worried and excited at the same time?

Have you ever had your feelings hurt but forgiven someone anyway?

Have you ever thought there was more than one right answer to a question?

That’s because contradictions are all around us. And they make us who we are.

Filled with his trademark humor and wisdom, Academy Award–winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey has crafted a soulful and irreverent collection of life lessons that empowers readers, big and small, to celebrate how we are all full of possibility.

Why? Just because.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 10/05/2023


Year: 2023

Month: October

The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles

by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso

WARNING: This book is for aunts, uncles, nieces and/or nephews ONLY!

Let's face it, being an aunt or uncle is AWESOME. There are countless adventures to be had, from eating dessert before dinner to activities with the perfect amount of HDD—Healthy Dose of Danger. But that isn't all. In order to master the sacred art of Auntieology and Uncleology, you must be tested by a distinguished panel of nieces and nephews, as there are rules and regulations to follow. For instance: when is bedtime? 8 o'clock you say? WRONG!*

The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles is a madcap, magical adventure into the heart of what it means to have an aunt or uncle—how we learn to keep each other close and find love in the simplest things. Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso paint a goofy, loving portrait of one of the most important relationships in children’s lives in this funny and heartfelt romp of a picture book with witty and inventive illustrations by award-winning illustrator Dan Santat. This is the perfect gift for the nice or nephew in anyone's life.

*If a parental unit is reading this, bedtime is DEFINITELY 8 o'clock sharp, aunts and uncles will not make any exceptions! (Okay, now that that's out of the way. . .Secret Society rules state it is ALWAYS exactly three minutes before the parental units get home. . .but that's just between us.)

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 11/22/2023


Year: 2023

Month: September

Bluey: Sleepytime

by Joe Brumm

Come on a dream-filled adventure with Bluey and Bingo in this special picture book with fold-out pages! Based on the award-winning animated series Bluey, as seen on Disney+.

It’s sleepytime at the Heeler house! Bingo wants to do a Big Girl sleep. As she drifts away into a dreamy adventure with Flopsy, will Bingo make it through the night and wake up in her own bed?

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 11/22/2023


Year: 2023

Month: September

Invisible Things

by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller

This creatively wacky exploration of the invisible things that make up the human experience encourages readers to look past the visible and connect with the things that are not seen.

If we could put on a pair of magical invisible glasses and see all the feelings, ideas, and other invisible things that populate our world, what would they look like? Could you see an itch? Could you describe hope? From the sound of a dog barking to the rainbow-MAGIC taste of a lollipop, from gratitude to grit, this book will help you meet the many interesting sensations that follow you every day, even if you can't see them*.*

Explore the way a sad song can sometimes make you happy and discover that laughs—even fake ones—can multiply faster than you'd imagine. As readers give these unknown forces a name, they'll also find a gentle invitation to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on the invisible things at work in their own lives.

NAME THE INVISIBLE THING: There are hidden forces that impact our everyday, particularly for kids. Giving those forces a name, and even a face, helps kids to feel empowered.

PROMPT FOR CONVERSATION: Educators, therapists, and caregivers looking to have nuanced or challenging conversations with kids about their own experiences can use this as a jumping off point for conversation: What invisible things can you name in your life?

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING: One common exercise teachers use is to ask kids to point to their emotion on a chart and then name it, for which this book will be a powerful tool.

REVIEWED BY MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT: This book was vetted by a licensed independent clinical social worker specializing in mental health for kids!

POPULAR AUTHOR: Andy J. Pizza is one of the creative minds behind the bestselling A Pizza with Everything on It and also hosts the popular podcast Creative Pep Talk.

VIRAL HIT: Andy J. Pizza's original "Invisible Things" posts on Twitter went viral, with 57,000 likes and 25,000 retweets; his ongoing Instagram posts receive thousands of likes and shares. It's clear people are ready to see INVISIBLE THINGS

Perfect for:

Anyone interested in social-emotional learning (SEL) and entertaining ways to explore emotions with kids

Anyone looking for interactive or artful books about mental health

Fans of classic children's books like Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days, Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry . . ., and Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Fans of Pixar's Inside Out Fans of Andy J. Pizza, his original twitter post about "Invisible Things" that went viral, the Creative Pep Talk podcast, or A Pizza with Everything on It

Advisory: Bookshare has learned that this book offers only partial accessibility. We have kept it in the collection because it is useful for some of our members. Benetech is actively working on projects to improve accessibility issues such as these.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 08/03/2023


Year: 2023

Month: August

The Skull

by Jon Klassen

Caldecott Medalist and New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Jon Klassen delivers a deliciously macabre treat for folktale fans. Jon Klassen's signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? Steeped in shadows and threaded with subtle wit—with rich, monochromatic artwork and an illuminating author’s note—The Skull is as empowering as it is mysterious and foreboding.

Date Added: 03/05/2024


Year: 2023

Month: July

Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow

by Ryan T. Higgins

Celebrate all things scary with #1 New York Times best-selling author Ryan T. Higgins's beloved Mother Bruce. Bruce is a bear who does not like holidays, and he really doesn’t like Halloween. His family of mice and geese decides the only way to get Bruce excited about Halloween is to tell a scary story. But their campfire tale takes a turn when a ghostly visitor appears. Will Bruce get in the Halloween spirit? Or will the Halloween spirit get Bruce?

Date Added: 03/05/2024


Year: 2023

Month: July

Grumpy Monkey Don't Be Scared

by Suzanne Lang

As New York Times #1 bestselling character Grumpy Monkey and his jungle friends pursue Halloween treats amid strange noises and mysterious smells, they remind each other that nothing can be scarier than returning home with no treats.

On the spookiest night of the year, Jim Panzee and his jungle friends brave the dark to collect treats. Not only does the jungle look different at night, it sounds different. What’s that knock-knock-knock and that HAHA HAHA HAHA? And the smell? PEE-YEW! “Don’t be scared,” they tell Jim. But then two glowing eyes flash overhead, and looking for treats is almost abandoned. Halloween in the jungle can be even scarier than trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 07/20/2023


Year: 2023

Month: July

Why A Daughter Needs A Dad

by Gregory E. Lang

A New York Times and USA Today bestseller! The perfect Christmas gift of love or sweet keepsake for a daughter of any age to show why Dad is so amazing! This new picture book for kids ages 3-7 and beyond is a touching story showing all the ways a father will help his daughter grow. This is the gift for every girl dad and little girl to celebrate their special bond! Featuring charming animal illustrations and heartwarming rhymes about the moments fathers and daughters share, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad is the perfect story to connect father and child together.

Date Added: 03/05/2024


Year: 2023

Month: June

How to Catch a Daddysaurus (How to Catch... Series)

by Alice Walstead

The newest addition in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series―do YOU have the rad skills needed to catch the mystical Daddysaurus? The How to Catch Kids are at it again! This time, they're out to trap the Daddysaurus―a mystical creature capable of such amazing acts of kindness, bravery, brilliance and humor. The kids try to trap the creature with all his favorite activities, but will they succeed? Maybe all they need is a little sweetness to make this awesome Daddysaurus appear! The perfect gift for children ages 4-10 to share with Dad at Father's Day, Christmas, and beyond, this fun dinosaur picture book is filled with silly rhymes and illustrations sure to delight young readers and educators alike with STEAM concepts and classic hilarity and chaos.

Date Added: 03/05/2024


Year: 2023

Month: June

Why a Son Needs a Dad

by Gregory E. Lang

A New York Times and USA Today bestseller! The perfect Valentine's Day gift of love or sweet keepsake to show why Dad is so amazing! A boy's first hero is his dad. A touching picture book for kids ages 3-7 and beyond showcasing all the ways a father will help his son grow, this is the gift for every dad and little boy to celebrate their special bond. Featuring charming animal illustrations and heartwarming rhymes about the loving moments fathers and sons share, Why a Son Needs a Dad is the perfect story to connect father and child together.

Date Added: 03/05/2024


Year: 2023

Month: June

The Crayons Go Back to School

by Drew Daywalt

The hilarious crayons from the #1 New York Times bestselling The Day The Crayons Quit are ready to go back to school!

The crayons are getting ready to go back to school, and each crayon has a subject they're looking forward to the most. They're also ready to meet new friends. . . and let loose during their very favorite time of day: art class.

A humorous, small hardcover back-to-school story from everyone's favorite school supplies.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 06/09/2023


Year: 2023

Month: June

I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

Show Dad how much you care with this little message of love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar!Celebrate Dad's special day by saying "I Love You"--with a little help from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This bright and colorful book is the ideal way to tell the person you call "Dad" how much you appreciate him. It's the perfect gift for Father's Day, Dad's birthday, or any day that you want to show Dad just how much you care.

New York Times Bestseller

Advisory: Bookshare has learned that this book offers only partial accessibility. We have kept it in the collection because it is useful for some of our members. Benetech is actively working on projects to improve accessibility issues such as these.

Date Added: 06/01/2023


Year: 2023

Month: June

A Day With No Words

by Tiffany Hammond

An instant #1 New York Times bestselling picture book and national bestseller!! A Day With No Words invites readers into the life of an Autism Family who communicates just as the child does, without spoken language.

Date Added: 11/27/2023


Year: 2023

Month: May

Because I Had a Teacher

by Kobi Yamada

We all remember our favorite teacher. Where would we be without them those special people who inspire us, support us, and encourage us? Whether they're an educator, a coach, or a mentor, this book is for them. To celebrate the worlds they open up for us and to thank them for the difference they make. This heartwarming book is a thank you gift for great teachers everywhere. Perfect for National Teacher Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, the end of the school year, or just because.

Date Added: 11/27/2023


Year: 2023

Month: May

Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess

by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

A story about a little troublemaker with a big heart from the New York Times bestselling author and noted speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones. Little Luvvie loves her mom. She loves her sister. And she loves doing nice things for other people. But what happens when doing something nice means breaking some rules? Little Luvvie is about to find out. Written by the New York Times bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones with bright, bold art by Joey Spiotto, this funny, sweet story about a bighearted girl with the best of intentions is sure to become a family favorite.

Date Added: 11/27/2023


Year: 2023

Month: May

Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess

by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

A story about a little troublemaker with a big heart from the New York Times bestselling author and noted speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones.

Whoops!Little Luvvie loves her mom. She loves her sister. And she loves doing nice things for other people.

But what happens when doing something nice means breaking some rules? Little Luvvie is about to find out.

Written by the New York Times bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones with bright, bold art by Joey Spiotto, this funny, sweet story about a bighearted girl with the best of intentions is sure to become a family favorite.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 06/09/2023


Year: 2023

Month: May

Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Makes It Big

by Dolly Parton and Erica S. Perl

From the legendary Dolly Parton comes a story about her god-dog and Instagram personality, Billy the Kid, who is hoping to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee.

French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music. He loves barking to the beat of country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out.But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he's barking up the wrong tree. He'll need his favorite songs ("Jowlene" and "I Will Pawlways Love You," of course), a group of scrappy new friends, and his favorite country music star to regain self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be.

Written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, this is a delightful picture book about standing up to people (and dogs) who put you down and finding the drive to achieve your dreams.

Date Added: 05/16/2023


Year: 2023

Month: May

We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish (Penelope Rex Series #3)

by Ryan T. Higgins

When Penelope Rex brings home Walter, the class goldfish, for the weekend, she is not sure how to feel, but when Walter goes missing, Penelope searches high and low for her fishy classmate.

Date Added: 03/05/2024


Year: 2023

Month: April

Woo Hoo! You're Doing Great!

by Sandra Boynton

Bestselling, beloved author Sandra Boynton--and a very exuberant chicken!--have an important message to share in this inspiring and highly giftable all-ages picture book for every life milestone! Whether you are learning to skate, baking a cake, or even making a mistake, this hilarious and heartfelt rhyming book reminds us that trying our best is reason to celebrate. From children trying to master new skills to adults who had a hard week at work, we all get overwhelmed sometimes and need reassurance. And who better to offer it than a chicken exclaiming: “WOO HOO! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!”

Date Added: 11/27/2023


Year: 2023

Month: April

I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know

by Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERI Love You More Than You'll Ever Know is a touching and heartfelt ode about the way we feel for our children, by award-winning actors of stage and screen Leslie Odom, Jr. and Nicolette Robinson, and illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz.Do you remember when we first met?It was a moment I won’t soon forget.Your sparkling aura. Your crooked grin!Do you remember, my trusted friend?When I count all my blessings, you’re always number one.Sweetest of all is, we’ve only just begun.The love we feel for our children never wavers. From the moment a baby is born, through the good times and the bad, from the silly moments to the warm embraces, this love is bigger than what we can put into words.This beautiful book is a comforting and lyrical refrain about the bonds we form with the children to whom we are closest in our lives.

Date Added: 04/17/2023


Year: 2023

Month: April

Little Daymond Learns to Earn

by Daymond John

Entrepreneur, FUBU founder, and Shark Tank fan fave Daymond John introduces kids to basic ideas about money and starting their own business in this accessible picture book!

Meet Little Daymond and his enterprising friends! When Daymond hatches an idea for a small business to make money to buy a music poster he wants, the whole crew comes together and figures out their unique strengths so they can each get exactly what they want—and even have some change to spare.

Bestselling author and Shark Tank star Daymond John uses this fun story to ignite kids' early interest in how money works—including the concepts of saving, spending, budgeting, and borrowing—to develop a basic foundation of financial literacy that sets children up for success in the future.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 03/31/2023


Year: 2023

Month: April

How to Catch a Leprechaun

by Adam Wallace

You've been planning night and day, and finally you've created the perfect trap with shamrocks, pots of gold, and rainbows galore! Now all you need to do is wait. Is this the year you'll finally catch the leprechaun? Start a St. Patrick's Day tradition with this fun and lively children's picture book and get inspired to build leprechaun traps of your own at home or in the classroom! Laugh along in this zany story for kids that blends STEAM concepts with hilarious rhymes and vibrant illustrations!

Date Added: 07/25/2023


Year: 2023

Month: March


Showing 26 through 50 of 82 results