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 89 results
 
 

Good Night, Sister

by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

From New York Times best-selling author Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt comes a beautiful bedtime read, celebrating the power and comfort of sisterhood. This sweet title is the perfect gift for that special someone on Valentine's Day—or any day of the year!

Kat is excited to sleep in her own room—the big girl room—for the very first time. But her younger sister, Tina, is nervous to sleep in their old room without her. So Kat comes up with a plan: she'll give all of her stuffed animals to her younger sister, and every time Tina gets scared, she should hold them close and be reminded of all the wonderful things each animal represents: bravery, creativity, love, and imagination. But that night, as a storm thunders outside their windows, it turns out that the big girl room can feel a bit lonely. And Kat might be the one who needs the extra support.

With simple, gentle prose, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shares a comforting bedtime story, illuminating the bonds sisters share, and the many ways they are there for one another.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 03/16/2023


Year: 2023

Month: February

Good Night, Sister

by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

Kat is excited to sleep in her own room - the big girl room - for the very first time. But her younger sister, Tina, is nervous to sleep in their old room without her. So, Kat comes up with a plan: she'll give all of her stuffed animals to her younger sister, and every time Tina gets scared, she should hold them close and be reminded of all the wonderful things each animal represents: bravery, creativity, love, and imagination. But that night, as a storm thunders outside their windows, it turns out that the big girl room can feel a bit lonely. And Kat might be the one who needs the extra support.

Date Added: 05/22/2023


Year: 2023

Month: February

Good Night Thoughts

by Max Greenfield

From actor Max Greenfield, the author of I Don't Want to Read This Book and its two companion titles, comes a sweetly funny bedtime book about anxiety and being present.

What do we do when we can't fall asleep? The child in this story has racing thoughts--funny, silly, and scary--that are running on a cycle they can't stop. It's only when they begin to think to themselves: Do any of these thoughts have merit? Am I in any danger right here and now? that they are finally able to settle down.

This lovely picture book is a simple but complex message about acknowledging anxiety without succumbing to it that will appeal to so many little ones (and adults) out there who find that nighttime is when their thoughts carry the most weight.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 10/18/2024


Year: 2024

Month: September

Gorgeously Me!

by Jonathan Van Ness and Kamala M. Nair

A celebration of all the things that make you extraordinary, unique, and gorgeously YOU, by Jonathan Van Ness, New York Times bestselling author and star of the Netflix hit show Queer Eye.

I won't be afraid to stand out

or show the world what I'm all about.

I am exactly who I'm meant to be.

Perfectly, happily, gorgeously me!

Being true to yourself and showing the world who you are isn't always easy. Gorgeously Me assures young readers that they are loved and cherished, exactly as they are. A joyous, lyrical ode of pride and self love and a celebration of all of the things that make us exceptional.

Perfect for fans of I Am Enough by Grace Byers and The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 07/02/2024


Year: 2024

Month: June

Grumpy Monkey

by Suzanne Lang

Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can't understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it's SUCH a beautiful day? They encourage him not to hunch, to smile, and to do things that make THEM happy. But Jim can't take all the advice...and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy? Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson. This picture book is an excellent case study in the dangers of putting on a happy face and demonstrates to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings (though they should be careful of hurting others in the process!).

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 07/14/2022


Year: 2022

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

Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever

by Suzanne Lang

Everyone’s favorite grump, Jim Panzee, star of the bestselling Grumpy Monkey series, has caught a bad case of spring fever and wakes up feeling very silly in this delightful new picture book.

When Jim runs through the jungle laughing and shouting with glee, the other animals are very concerned. This just isn’t the grumpy Jim they know. Soon Norman diagnoses Jim with a bad case of spring fever and tells Jim that he needs to find a cure. The other jungle animals offer suggestions: Take a calming breath! Sniff lavender! Take a nap! Try a time-out! Jim tries everything to get his grump back, but when nothing works, it becomes contagious and the other animals catch spring fever too. Soon the jungle erupts into a silly celebration of springtime as they all join in the fun.

From the bestselling team Suzanne and Max Lang comes another fun filled adventure starring the beloved chaacter Jim Panzee. Lively illustrations offering a belly laugh on every spread will delight the many Grumpy Monkey fans.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 04/03/2024


Year: 2024

Month: March

Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out

by Suzanne Lang

The New York Times #1 bestselling character Jim Panzee is very grumpy about Valentine’s Day until his buddy Norman shows him that the holiday is for everyone. Two pages of full-color stickers are included for extra fun!This holiday hardcover book is brimming with the same silly humor that characterizes all the beloved titles in the bestselling Grumpy Monkey series. When Jim Panzee hears Oxpecker cooing over her doting boyfriend on Valentine’s Day, he has just one thought: Gross. But Jim finds out that not everything about Valentine’s Day is hearts and kisses. Jim learns there are different types of valentines and many kinds of love, such as love for a parent or for friends.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 01/20/2023


Year: 2023

Month: January

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Crayons

by Drew Daywalt

The hilarious crayons from the #1 New York Times bestselling The Day the Crayons Quit are ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is almost here, and Green Crayon would like a break! (After all, he JUST had to carry a heavy load during Christmas...) His friends try to take over, but what's a leprechaun without green clothing? And a four-leaf clover can't be blue! And how in the world can the crayons make a rainbow without their good friend Green?

A humorous, small hardcover St. Patrick's Day story from everyone's favorite school supplies.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 04/03/2024


Year: 2024

Month: March

Hope Is a Rainbow

by Chloe Dominique and Hoda Kotb

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and cohost of NBC's TODAY Hoda Kotb comes a new book about finding hope in ordinary places.

What do you hope for? What do you dream?Hoda Kotb's new book is a lyrical celebration of hope in children and teaching the youngest readers how to reach for their dreams—whether they are as big as the night sky or as small as a bowl of purple ice cream.

It's a lesson in optimism and what a positive outlook can bring.

With beautiful and timeless illustrations by Chloe Dominique, Hope Is a Rainbow is a can't-miss book for any child who dares to dream. It's a story that honors the childlike wonder and curiosity that exists in all of us, young and old.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 04/03/2024


Year: 2024

Month: March

Hot Dog

by Doug Salati

From a critically acclaimed creator comes this summery picture book featuring an overheated—and overwhelmed—pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air.

It's summer in the city, and this hot dog has had enough! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right in his face. When he plops down in the middle of a crosswalk, his owner endeavors to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. She hails a taxi, hops a train, and ferries out to the beach. Here, a pup can run!

With fluid art and lyrical text that have the soothing effect of waves on sand, Doug Salati shows us how to find calm and carry it back with us so we can appreciate the small joys in a day.

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: 03/10/2023


Year: 2023

Month: March

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?

by Mac Barnett

When Santa arrives at a child’s house on Christmas Eve, does he go down the chimney feetfirst or headfirst? What if he gets stuck? What if there’s no chimney? Maybe he slides under the door, as thin as a piece of paper? Or is it possible he pours himself through the faucet? What happens once he’s inside? Whether it’s shape-shifting or impromptu laundry use, Mac Barnett’s iconic talent for earnest deadpan humor and Jon Klassen’s irresistibly funny art honor the timeless question with answers both ridiculous and plausible, mounting in hilarity as the night continues. Channeling a child’s fanciful explanations (and begging for further speculation), this latest collaboration by a New York Times best-selling team will find a secure spot among family holiday traditions.

Date Added: 06/04/2024


Year: 2023

Month: December

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

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

How to Catch a Loveosaurus

by Alice Walstead

The How to Catch Kids are on the chase again, this time to trap a dinosaur that escaped from the museum and wants to spread love and kindness. Blending exciting traps and STEAM concepts with hilarity and chaos to encourage reading, learning, and imagination, this charming adventure will delight young readers, families, and educators alike―and maybe inspire spreading some kindness too!

Date Added: 04/10/2023


Year: 2023

Month: January

How to Catch a Witch

by Alice Walstead

New in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series-do YOU have what it takes to snatch this Halloween witch? It's Halloween night and something doesn't seem quite right. When our heroes head out to trick-or-treat, there are ghosts, goblins, and ghouls everywhere! The Catch Club Kids soon learn that the Halloween Witch opened a magical portal that let all the Halloween creatures visit your neighborhood to trick or treat! Follow along as the Catch Club Kids set zany traps for the Witch so that they can close the portal and get rid of the ghosts and goblins before they take all the Halloween candy!

Date Added: 01/05/2023


Year: 2022

Month: September

I am Ruth Bader Ginsburg

by Brad Meltzer

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the 32nd hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 9.Before Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the judge, she was a young Jewish girl growing up in Brooklyn, inspired by books, past female trailblazers, and her mother to make the world a better, more just place to be. So even when people turned her away—for being a girl and for being Jewish—she never stopped fighting for equal treatment for everyone by pushing back against unjust laws and the beliefs around them.  This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big.Included in each book are:   A timeline of key events in the hero&’s history  Photos that bring the story more fully to life  Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorableChildhood moments that influenced the hero  Facts that make great conversation-starters  A virtue this person embodies: Ruth Bader Ginsburg&’s perseverance to create justice and equality is highlighted. You&’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series!

Date Added: 02/21/2024


Year: 2024

Month: January

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

I Love Grandpa with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

Give lots of love to Grandpa with The Very Hungry Caterpillar in this colorful book featuring Eric Carle's delightful illustrations!The Very Hungry Caterpillar knows how special grandpas are, and this celebratory keepsake is the perfect way to honor them. Give the gift of love and show Grandpa how much you care with sweet sentiments and Eric Carle's charming illustrations.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 07/02/2024


Year: 2024

Month: June

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

I'm So Glad You Were Born Celebrating Who You Are

by Ainsley Earhardt

Inspired by Scripture, a parent shares their hopes, dreams, and joy for their extraordinary child.

Date Added: 01/05/2023


Year: 2022

Month: October

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

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

Just Try It!

by Phil Rosenthal and Lily Rosenthal

From Netflix star and New York Times bestselling author Phil Rosenthal and his daughter Lily comes a hilarious picture book about a food-loving dad encouraging his picky eater daughter to just try something new.

Phil has one rule about food: try everything at least once. Otherwise, how will you know what you like? His daughter Lil disagrees. She already knows what she likes—just bread and pasta with no sauce—and that&’s all there is to it! When the two go to a food truck festival, Phil tries introducing Lil to all kinds of delicious cuisine, but she doesn’t budge. Just when it looks like it’s going to be a very long day, an unexpected mustard accident changes everything.

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: 04/03/2024


Year: 2024

Month: March

Knight Owl

by Christopher Denise

A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart.

Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas.

Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn.

New York Times Bestseller

Date Added: 07/14/2022


Year: 2022

Month: July


Showing 26 through 50 of 89 results