Here's a list of the best selling Picture Books for 2014 (as reported by the New York Times). We have added reading information where it is available.
Updated September 2014
*****All ratings from GoodReads (not updated monthly)
**** Note that in alphabetizing, we ignore 'the' in titles
*** Bold = Are books on the Best Seller list this week
** Bold/RED = new books on the Best Seller list this week
*You can find the original NYT list here.
AN ALPHABETIZED SUMMARY LIST:
- A BUCKET OF BLESSINGS
- AN OTIS CHRISTMAS
- DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, The
- DRAGONS LOVE TACOS
- DUCK AND GOOSE GO TO THE BEACH
- FANCY NANCY AND THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY
- FOUNDING MOTHERS
- FRIENDS
- GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE
- GOODNIGHT SONGS
- HERE COMES THE EASTER CAT
- HI, KOO!
- HEAVEN IS FOR REAL KIDS
- HOW TO BABYSIT A GRANDMA
- HOW TO BABYSIT A GRANDPA
- I AM ABRAHAM LINCOLN
- I AM AMELIA EARHART
- I AM A FROG (Piggie & Elephant)
- I AM ROSA PARKS
- I'D KNOW YOU ANYWHERE, MY LOVE
- JOURNEY
- LADYBUG GIRL AND THE DRESS-UP DILEMMA
- LOCOMOTIVE
- NELLY GNU AND DADDY TOO
- MIGHTY DADS
- MR. TIGER GOES WILD
- MR. WUFFLES!
- MY NEW FRIEND IS SO FUN!
- PETE THE CAT AND HIS FOUR GROOVY BUTTONS
- PETE THE CAT AND THE NEW GUY
- PETE THE CAT: ROCKING IN MY SCHOOL SHOES
- PETE THE CAT SAVES CHRISTMAS
- PETE THE CAT AND HIS MAGIC SUNGLASSES
- PETE THE CAT: I LOVE MY WHITE SHOES
- PIGEON NEEDS A BATH!
- PRESS HERE
- QUEST
- ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER
- STEAM TRAIN, DREAM TRAIN
- THREE BEARS IN A BOAT
- THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
- WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?
by Kabir Sehgal, Surishtha Sehgal
Jing Jing Tsong (Illustrator)
Maya Angelou (Afterword)
Kabir Sehgal is an author and jazz enthusiast. He is also a grad of Dartmouth University. Surishtha Sehgal is the founder of Mentor Walk, a nonprofit initiative that helps inspire children to stay in school.
In this book they retell a classic Indian tale that Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter says, "encourages us to recognize our blessings and inspires us to find beauty in serving others."
Reading Information:
Page Count: 32
no reading information currently available
--sample pages and reviews available
by Loren Long
4.06 avg rating — 124 ratings
It's Christmas on the farm. Otis gets a cool gift and then he has to be a hero because there's a mare who is having trouble giving birth, and the farmer needs Doc Baker.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 1,141
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 4.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 163416
Lexile: AD820L
by Drew Daywait
Oliver Jeffers (Illustrations)
**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
4.40 avg rating — 6,035 ratings
Crayons have feelings, too! And Duncan finds this out when he goes to color one day and finds only a stack of complaint letters from the crayons who are tired of being type cast.
Daywait and Jeffers are a fabulous team.
Word Count: 999
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 3.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 159597
Lexile: AD730L
DRAGONS LOVE TACOSby Adam Rubin
3.89 avg rating — 1,483 ratings
If you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos.
Word Count: 501
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 3.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 152991
DUCK AND GOOSE GO TO THE BEACHby Tad Hills
3.87 avg rating — 78 ratings
Goose likes things and places that are familiar, while Duck loves adventure and things that are new. Duck pushes Goose a bit out of his comfort zone, but together they have fun! Another charming book in this series.
Word Count: 700
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 165707
--sample pages and reviews available
FANCY NANCY AND THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURYby Robin Preiss Glasser
4.21 avg rating — 38 ratings
What could be more fancy than a wedding! In this book Nancy helps the bride, and girls can learn about bridal traditions.
Page Count: 32
no reading information currently available
--sample pages and reviews available
by Cokie Roberts
illustrated by Diane Goode
**Starred Review** Kirkus
3.86 avg rating — 59 ratings
Illustrated by Caldecott Honor–winning artist Diane Goode, this book explains to children how important the women were to the American Revolution.
Word Count: 6,005
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 6.8 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 16471
Lexile: 380L
FRIENDSby Eric Carle
3.16 avg rating — 100 ratings
Better read the reviews. People are really disappointed with the story in this book.
Page Count: 32
no reading info currently available
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITEby Sherri Duskey Rinker
**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** Booklist
4.22 avg rating — 2,281 ratings
As the sun sets, hard-working trucks get ready to say good night.
Word Count: 526
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 3.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 148143
Illustrated by Twelve Award-Winning Picture Book Artists
by Margaret Wise Brown
3.82 avg rating — 22 ratings
Unpublished poems by the brilliant Margaret Wise Brown.
Illustrators include: Jonathan Bean * Carin Berger * Sophie Blackall * Linda Bleck * Renata Liwska * Christopher Silas Neal * Zachariah OHora * Eric Puybaret * Sean Qualls * Isabel Roxas * Melissa Sweet * Dan Yaccarino
Page Count: 28
no reading info currently available
by Deborah Underwood
Claudia Rueda (Illustrator)
4.35 avg rating — 274 ratings
Cat wants some love and attention and he thinks Easter egg delivery might be just the thing. But you know what? Delivering eggs doesn't leave much time for napping.
Page Count: 80
no reading info currently available
(Scholastic)
by Jon J Muth
4.15 avg rating — 345 ratings
Twenty-six haikus spotlight four different seasons.
Eating warm cookiesor
on a cold day
is easy
water catches
every thrown stone
skip skip splash
Icicles.
reach down with dripping fingers
will they touch the ground?
Word Count: 242
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 2.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 165266
Lexile: NP
by Jean Reagan
Lee Wildish (Illustrator)
3.94 avg rating — 93 ratings
Adorable. In this book a little girl shares with you all her best ideas for babysitting a Grandmother. I mean, of course you'll need to tuck her in, but before that Grandma will probably want to do some arts and crafts and certainly go to the park.
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 165750
by Jean Reagan
Lee Wildish (Illustrator)
4.00 avg rating — 414 ratings
In this book you'll learn that there are some differences between babysitting a Grandma versus a Grandpa. For example, with a Grandpa it's important to hide, only leaping out and giggling when he has given up looking for you. And then you simply must offer him an array of snacks --with the all important ketchup side. And definitely go outside and show him all the best puddles in the neighborhood.
Word Count: 512
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 2.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 151000
I AM ABRAHAM LINCOLN
(Ordinary People Change World)
by Brad Meltzer
Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator)
4.30 avg rating — 142 ratings
Brad presents inspirational messages on education, believing in yourself, and why sometimes you have to stand up to bullies.
Slavery is tackled and handled well. A nice introduction history for young children.
Word Count: 1,114
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 3.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 165584
I AM AMELIA EARHART(Ordinary People Change World)
by Brad Meltzer
4.27 avg rating — 140 ratings
This team presents another book with inspirational messages. In this one Brad tackles having dreams, working hard, and not letting yourself be defined and limited by others.
Word Count: 724
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 3.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 165585
I AM A FROG(Piggie & Elephant)
by Mo Willems
4.33 avg rating — 445 ratings
Elephant and Piggie explore the wonders of pretending.
Word Count: 256
Page Count: 64
Accelerated Reading level: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 163356
(Ordinary People Change World)
by Brad Meltzer
Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator)
Accelerated Reading Info: not available
Page Count: 40
--sample pages and reviews available
Page Count: 40
--sample pages and reviews available
by Nancy Tillman
4.55 avg rating — 553 ratings
Bears, owls, fox, camels, koalas, raccoons, giraffes help convey that it's okay to be different because mommy (and one supposes daddy too) will love you all ways.
Essentially the mommy can spot her darling no matter where and how they are.
Accelerated Reading Info: not availableIf early one morning you put on your socks And declare,“For today, I’m a little red fox!” I’d say, “My, my … that’s quite a disguise!” But I’d know it was you by the gleam in your eyes.
Page Count: 32
--sample pages and reviews available
by Aaron Becker
**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** ALA BookList
4.20 avg rating — 1,808 ratings
This Wordless book repeatedly is called 'enchanting'. The story is vaguely reminescent of Harold and The Purple Crayon. Though I'd say it was older children.
It's a tale of adventure to magic places through a doorway drawn by a little girl.
WORDLESS
Page Count: 40
--sample pages and reviews available
by Brian Floca
**Caldecott Medal Winner**
**Sibert Honor Book**
**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** ALA BookList
**Starred Review** Horn Book
It's 1869, and you are invited to travel on America's brand-new transcontinental railroad.
Word Count: 1,158
Page Count: 64
Accelerated Reader: 4.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 160657
Lexile: 840L
(Scholastic)
by Joan Holub
James Dean (Illustrations)
James Dean (Illustrations)
3.7 Stars from 61 GoodReaders
Mighty dads, strong and tall,
help their children, young and small.
They keep them safe and bolted tight
and show them how to build things right.
Told in rhyme. Each time you turn the page there is a different Daddy & Kid construction machine like excavators, forklifts, and dump trucks.
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 2.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 166495
MR. TIGER GOES WILDby Peter Brown
**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
4.44 avg rating — 110 ratings
Mr. Tiger lives in a prim and proper world, but decides to let loose!
See my review here. (including sample pages)
Reading Information:
Word Count: 191
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reader: 1.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 163393
Lexile: AD170L
by David Wiesner
4.03 avg rating — 1,789 ratings
Mr. Wuffles has plenty of toys. But really, it's more fun to play with a spaceship full of little aliens!
Wordless
Page Count: 32
(Gerald and Piggie)
by Mo Willems
4.36 avg rating — 88 ratings
Oh dear. A little jealousy arises when Piggie and Brian Bat start playing together more --having so much fun. Gerald and Snake wonder if the pair won't want to be friends with them any more.
no reading information currently available
Page Count: 40--sample pages and reviews available
by Anna Dewdney
3.57 avg rating — 37 ratings
A lovely daddy and daughter story.
Page Count: 40
--sample pages and reviews available
PETE THE CAT AND HIS FOUR GROOVY BUTTONSby Eric Litwin
4.32 avg rating — 3,405 ratings
Pete loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them... and even as the buttons pop off.
Accelerated Reading Info: not available
Lexile: AD350L
by Eric Litwin
3.95 avg rating — 900 ratings
In this rockin' new spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas.
'Twas the day before Christmas and Santa was ill.Accelerated Reading Info: not available
In the cold winter wind he had caught a bad chill.
Will Christmas be canceled? Will it come to that?
"Never!" cried Santa.
"Let's call Pete the Cat!"
Page Count: 40
Lexile: AD510L
by James and Kimberly Dean
3.84 avg rating — 403 ratings
Pete the Cat is having a grumpy day until Toad loans him some 'magic' sunglasses that open Pete's eyes to the wonder of the day. Pete's excited about this and loans the glasses out. Guess what?!? They break. What will Pete discover now?
Word Count: 445
Page Count: 36
Accelerated Reader: 2.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 163060
PETE THE CAT: I LOVE MY WHITE SHOESby Eric Litwin
4.42 avg rating — 8,923 ratings
Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom and other cool places.
Word Count: 275
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 1.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 154280
by Mo Willems
4.44 avg rating — 259 ratings
That Pigeon! He's dirty, and he doesn't want a bath.
Word Count: 272
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 1.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 165308
PRESS HEREby Hervé Tullet
**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** Publisher's Weekly
**Starred Review** Kirkus
4.41 avg rating — 6,199 ratings
A whimsical dance of color and motion, at the touch of a finger.
Common Core Recommended
Accelerated Reading Info: not available
Page Count: 56
Lexile: AD320L
by Andrea Beaty
David Roberts (Illustrations)
4.39 avg rating — 373 ratings
Little Rosie makes some brilliantly detailed gizmos, but when her great-great-aunt Rosie the Riveter visits things go a bit awry.
The younger Rosie is sad that her invention didn't work, but Aunt Rose relays the important message that "You can only truly fail, if you quit."
Word Count: 793
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 4.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 161280
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
3.93 avg rating — 601 ratings
Read-aloud rhymes. This book features a train where animals load the cars. Good choice for those young train lovers.
Word Count: 430Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 158536
Lexile: AD720L
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMASby Clement C. Moore and various illustrators.
The NYTimes lumps all the different illustrated versions together without distinguishing which are best sellers. Our link will take you to a list of some of our favorites.
by David Soman
4.01 avg rating — 158 ratings
While momma bear is out, 3 little bears try to get to the honey jar that is out of reach. They almost make it, but then the jar crashes and mamma's pretty blue seashell gets smashed. Wanting to correct this situation the little bears set out on a grand adventure to track down a blue shell so there mother won't be sad... or angry. Cute drawings. Might be David Soman's best book yet.
Word Count: 916
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 3.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 166422
by Christian Løchstøer Ylvis
Svein Nyhus (Illustrations)
3.60 avg rating — 516 ratings
From YOUTUBE sensation, to books and shirts.
Accelerated Reading Info: not available
Page Count: 32See our other Must Read book lists!
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