Find the top 100 most popular items in Amazon Kindle Store Best Sellers. Naturally, they're going to end up being best friends and getting into all kinds of scrapes together since their approach to pretty much everything from discovering dinosaurs to starting their own summer camp is "Why not?" (For ages 8 to 12), A classic! (For ages 8 to 12), We always say that these polls don't produce ranked lists and they truly don't but I'd be remiss in not pointing out that Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy books, about the enduring friendship between two young girls got the most votes of any book on this list. That teacher, Favio Chvez, made instruments for his students out of found objects from the trash, constructing an entire orchestra from things people had thrown away. (Samuel Borges Photography / Shutterstock.com). Some of these stories can help your child become a better adolescent and adult. If you dream of being a violinist, but live in a poor town in Paraguay built, literally, on a landfill you might despair. It's pretty great to have a giant dog because then when you walk to school, you can think about ice cream and rain instead of tornadoes or ghosts. And generally, when someone appeared more than once in the nominations, we went with whichever title was more popular with voters (so Kevin Henkes' Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse beat out Kitten's First Full Moon). When an unfortunate man follows the advice from his Rabbi, his life seems to go from bad to worse or does it?THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Things are not always as bad as they seem. But the judges felt Blueberries for Sal was the most compelling read. (For ages 3 to 6), Oh, no! By bedtime she came back to Why? (For ages 7 and up), Strega Nona should have known better than to leave Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta pot! But then one night she sees yellow eyes shining in the forest and soon, she finds she has to use all her wiles to keep the jumbies away from her island. This year brought an interesting twist. Her only friend is a rat she names Armitage, after the brand of toilet in her apartment but could scary Burt, who sells burgers from a food truck outside her school, be making his burgers out of ground-up rat? (For ages 3 to 5), Who doesn't love a big chunk of heavy machinery? But when he encounters a lion on his way home, he must make a decision that separates him from his family. WE ALL PLAYWritten and illustrated by Julie Flett(Greystone Kids, $17.95). HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY?BY: Carol McCloudThis award-winning book is based on a beautiful metaphor - that everyone has an invisible bucket that be either be filled or dipped into. DREAM STREETWritten by Tricia Elam WalkerIllustrated by Ekua Holmes(Anne Schwartz, $17.99). (For ages 8 and up), This book is responsible for my attempt, at age 7, to have a conversation with the swans at the National Zoo by standing outside their enclosure yelling "Ko-hooo!" Well, no, actually despite a moment of competition from In the Night Kitchen, we knew we had to go with this classic tale of Max, his wolf suit, the wild rumpus, and of course the dinner that was still warm when he got home. And when a sinister archduke tries to grab the box for himself, he learns that crime doesn't pay. They cavort in the bog, they try on hats, they sip juice at a cute cafe but not the hippopotamus, who's always in the background looking on sadly. The story of the Recycled Orchestra provides inspiration for kids who hear music of any kind in their heads. Twelve. A classic tale of pacifism and being true to yourself. Rather, it's a curated list built from your recommendations and picks from our expert panel of judges a fantastic group of authors, librarians, publishers and all-around book nerds. (For ages 5 to 8), by Virginia Hamilton, Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon, Virginia Hamilton herself descended from enslaved people who escaped via the Underground Railroad retells Black folktales like "He Lion, Bruh Bear and Bruh Rabbit" and "How Nehemiah Got Free" in a simple, powerful style. Eric Carle's charming story and luminous, stained-glass illustrations make The Very Hungry Caterpillar a classic for the ages (and a good advertisement for the benefits of snacking). Summer reading lists and tips for every age. Nope. Or, if youre Ada Ros and youre determined and lucky enough to meet a music teacher who also has big dreams, you might just have a chance. Its time now for a fresh generation of students to be inspired by her story, re-told in this beautifully illustrated biography. As a bonus, you can see Ringgold reading the book here. "Once there was a treeand she loved a little boy." So begins Shel Silverstein's beloved story about a tree that literally gives her entire self to the person she loves. (For ages 8 to 12), by Ruth Stiles Gannett and Ruth Chrisman Gannett, Childhood surrealism at its best. Luckily, his nana is always ready with an answer that helps CJ find beauty wherever he looks. And as always, we had to decide which work to pick from creators who were nominated multiple times. BLANCAFLOR, THE HERO WITH SECRET POWERSA Folktale From Latin AmericaWritten by Nadja SpiegelmanIllustrated by Sergio Garca SnchezWith an introduction by F. Isabel Campoy(Toon Graphics, $16.95). He's always on the same bus every morning, and he always has time to visit his animal friends. 4.8 out of 5 stars . First published in 1939, Virginia Lee Burton's tale of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, has inspired decades of sandbox excavation projects and, memorably, it also prompted Ramona Quimby to wonder out loud whether Mike ever had time to go to the bathroom. Do you pause in the produce aisle and think about one real peach? And though it's never directly mentioned in the text, young Peter is Black, one of the first non-caricatured Black people to star in a major children's book. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen that grows to a large flock and then an entire farm.THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Giving even a little can make a big difference. "But when my man is done with you, they'll want to post you up in a museum!" But we decided you probably didn't need our help to discover Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry or The Little Engine that Could, so those didn't make it onto the list. But, as author B.J. (For ages 4 to 8), Lonely little Henry has no brothers and sisters. The Gruffalo's detailed, beautiful illustrations by Axel Scheffler are brought to life when reading Donaldson's rhythmic tale - making for a winning recipe most children find very hard to resist. (For ages 4 to 8), So many great Jacqueline Woodson books, so little space! (For ages 4 to 8), by Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson, This gorgeous book will introduce kids to the glory of Josephine Baker not just her fabulous dance routines, but her life of activism and service, including speaking alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. . THE BEATRYCE PROPHECYWritten by Kate DiCamilloIllustrated by Sophie Blackall(Candlewick, $19.99). ELMERBY: David McKeeElmer is the multi-colored elephant, while all the other elephants are grey. THE BLANKFUL HEARTBY: Mr. MeusBilly Babble is the richest Babble in Babbleland. We all know what Braille is the ingenious system of raised dots on paper that has allowed blind people to read. Lewis. In nine steps, Kendi (and illustrator Ashley Lukashevsky) offers parents a way to open their eyes, and their children's eyes, to the realities of racism. (For ages 6 to 8), No one knows what to do with orphaned siblings Henry, Violet, Jessie and Bennie and they don't want to live with the grandfather they've never met. Zoe decides to find out but it's hard to keep her investigation secret from the rest of the family AND stay on top of things at her bakery internship so she can achieve her dream of competing on a TV baking show. C hildren's books bounced back in buoyant style in 2021. This timely, arresting graphic memoir series, mostly completed before the congressman and civil rights leaders death, picks up where the trilogy March left off. Georgina Atwell. The age at which she came up with that one? (For ages 4 to 8), Mary Walker's life stretched all the way from the Civil War to the civil rights movement. THE BERENSTAIN BEARS AND THE TRUTHBY: Stan and Jan BerenstainWhen Brother and Sister Bear accidentally break Mama's favorite lamp, their little lie about how it happened grows bigger and bigger. (For ages 1 to 4), Innosanto Nagara's ABCs of activism simplifies ideas about environmentalism, feminism, civil rights and democracy for the littlest readers. Muhammad told NPR she hopes little girls wearing hijabs will "see themselves in this work." She even loves her teacher Mr. Slinger but when the wondrous purse and its contents keep interrupting his lessons, he confiscates it, leading Lilly to attempt revenge. What do you do when winter winds whistle in your ears? And then What? Kids will love exploring the blocky, brightly colored train cars and seeing what's inside. On the one hand, great books encourage readers to forget, to escape from the pressures of daily life and lose themselves within the pages of a story. Eastman amazon.com once again." Chris Van Dusen's lively, sweet-natured illustrations helped seal the deal. A lovely story about a girl who has the power to change the world around her. Get reading picks, tips, and activities in your inbox. Don't you wish you had a great green room and a red balloon? . Chincoteague, a town on Virginia's eastern shore, is known for its wild Chincoteague ponies. Strictly No Elephants- Elegantly written to teach children to embrace empathy when dealing with friends, this story grows the heart to see others uniqueness. A BAD CASE OF STRIPESBY: David ShannonCamilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. On They open a whole new world of imagination, letting the reader travel to a distant land or accomplish otherworldly feats without leaving the comfort of their home. So embarrassing! THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFTBY: Jeff BrumbeauThe generous Quiltmaker spends all of her time making quilts only to give them away. As bookshops reopened in the spring, children's books enjoyed . Illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh, whose family fled Iran after war broke out in 1980, told NPR that when she first read the manuscript, "I thought, oh, that's me." Buy The Gruffalo: Amazon US: $6.79 | Amazon UK: 4.92. UNSPEAKABLEThe Tulsa Race MassacreWritten by Carole Boston WeatherfordIllustrated by Floyd Cooper(Carolrhoda, $17.99). Moon has a secret: She sees heavenly visions, hears voices that tell her she doesn't belong on earth. $17.99. This story of a Plains Indian girl who runs away with a band of wild horses, and eventually becomes one of them, won the Caldecott in 1978, and for good reason. (For ages 4 and up), Readers voted in just about everything Mo Willems has ever written, but sadly, with only 100 slots on the list, we could only keep one (although we cheated a little by picking a series). Real Life Calls for Real Books Literature to Help Children Cope with Family Stressors In thIs frequently repeated quote, Phelps points to two unique, yet closely related, potentials of literature. BRIGHT STARWritten and illustrated by Yuyi Morales(Neal Porter/Holiday House, $18.99). Writer Kelly Yang based this powerful story on her own experience, and the stories of the immigrants who stayed at her family's motels. DiCamillos novel, about a young girl hunted by a medieval king because of a prophecy that she will unseat him, eloquently champions the power to love and be loved. Thankfully, Papa Bear helps them find the words that set everything right again.THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Youll always feel proud about telling the truth when the time comes. (For age 3 to 5), Don't turn the page! His first-person narrative voice speaks clearly to young readers who wonder if they, too, can have a voice in the world. (For ages 3 to 7), Any kid who has looked up at the moon and wondered why it changes shape will love the story of Little Star who bakes a mooncake with her mother, and then can't resist a nibble and then another nibble and then another nibble. "Lovable, furry old Grover" does his best to keep kids from turning the pages but all his efforts can't prevent readers from discovering who the monster actually is. The magically powered Blancaflor is clever and brave, her prince a delightful idiot, in this gorgeously illustrated comics version of the familiar girl as helper tale. (For ages 4 to 8), by Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak, Else Holmelund Minarik wrote this tale of a Bear and his Mother for her own daughter, to read in the mornings before school longhand, as she wrote all her manuscripts, because she never learned to type. Nigerian storyteller Atinuke spins a wonderful saga of modern West African family life follow along with Anna as she learns about the world outside her walls, faces stage fright and even snow for the first time. A great read for anyone who's ever been down in the dumps. And will she still be a queen when she gets there? But Corinne La Mer isn't afraid of anything, especially jumbies, since everyone knows they're just made up, right? I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith This novel of ramshackle family life is one of several first-person stories on this list, and 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain's voice is so alive, from the. You'll also see there's a section of books for older readers. (For ages 8 and up), A fantastical, Thai-inspired twist on Les Misrables. The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf amazon.com "My dad read it to me as a baby girl recovering in the hospital. Patricia Hruby Powell's jazz-inflected words and Christian Robinson's bright, exciting pictures make this book a treat for readers and listeners. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Our critics picked six films that you can catch up with over the long holiday. . (For ages 4 to 8), Yasmin is a spunky second-grader who tries out all kinds of occupations superhero, writer, chef, zookeeper whether or not she actually knows what's involved. Esperanza(Abrams, $17.99). But readers wanting a frontier tale will find a friend in Hanna, a mixed-race girl growing up in the Dakota territory in 1880. Childrens literature is the tool necessary to assist children through personal tribulations. They are given the opportunity to feel empowered, gain self-awareness, develop coping strategies, improve problem-solving skills, understand that they are not alone, and learn to make healthy decisions. (For ages 0 to 2), Readers nominated so many Maurice Sendak books, it was hard to pick just one. Listen. (For ages 10 and up), We did not include the Little House books on this list they're already part of the Ultimate Backseat Bookshelf. by. (For ages 4 to 7), George is a little dog who just can't bark. We asked you to tell us about your favorite kids' books, from board books for babies to great read-alouds to early chapter books and even a few books for older readers. The first is of a woman who forages along the Potomac for Paw Paw fruit. (For ages 4 to 8), by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale and Leuyen Pham, A princess? Thompsons simple language and Quallss bright mixed-media paintings tell an uplifting tale of how one determined boy showed the world what he was made of. Will there be enough room?" And if you don't, why not? Zeke Pea's warm, bustling illustrations bring those childhood memories to life. 1 A Mom & Daughter On A Rainy Day 'Me & Mama' written & illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera Amazon $10.19 SEE ON THE BLACK TOY STORE Me & Mama, a Scott King Honor Book and a Caldecott Award winner,. Tate writes and illustrates this amazing story of a boy who protested his plight through poetry, and earned acclaim for his words. They stimulate the mind, increase knowledge, expand the vocabulary and also teach important life lessons. You may not think so, but you never know, I tell them. Be it the people that build houses, deliver babies, or take care of others, the message is that people are good.THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Kindness is always appreciated. Born in her father's castle in the middle of a thunderstorm, Ronia grows up compassionate and brave. THE TRUE STORY OF A MOUSE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR ITWritten by Ana Cristina HerrerosIllustrated by Violeta LpizTranslated by Chloe Garcia Roberts(Unruly/Enchanted Lion, $22.95). He told a jaguar he saw that someday hed think of a way to free him. The moral of the story: How we react to situations makes a huge difference. That is when he found his voice; when talking to animals, his stutter vanished. The Cree-Mtis Flett pairs rhythmic alliterative verse about animals at play with repeating silhouettes of frolicking children to celebrate our interconnectedness. On the final day, it appears many children have won the contest, but there is only one true winner.THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Honesty is the best policy. (For ages 3 to 5), For the family in Story Boat, "here" is home but "here" keeps changing as they travel onward to an unknown destination. Lewis. DID I EVER TELL YOU HOW LUCKY YOU AREBY: Dr. SeussWho better than Dr. Seuss to remind us how lucky we truly are, even when were down in the dumps?THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Focus on what you have and dont dwell on the bad. by Alan Rabinowitz, illustrated by Ctia Chien. But a magical flight through the night sky helps her learn to love that darkness. For A Child Experiencing Anxiety: There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Laurel Molk (for ages 3 to 7) Candlewick Press There Might Be Lobsters tells the story of Suki, a dog who. Her attitude toward finding wild food is hilarious and matter-of-fact. Combining gut-wrenching realism with dreamlike panoramas, Chins art perfectly illustrates Wangs movingly dichotomous tale of Chinese American identity. "And then their relationship kind of takes off from there," L told NPR. But as kids will learn from I Am Enough, like the sun, we're all here to shine. GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHEREBy: Lynea GillenThis colorful picture book contains endearing examples and vibrant illustrations of people doing good to inspire children to be grateful, caring, and kind. To Pong, born in prison, those lights mean freedom, but when he escapes he discovers that freedom is only for the wealthy. This is a gorgeous tale of creativity and acceptance, rounded out with misty, jeweled gouache illustrations.