Kindergarten Books
List of Best Selling Books
for Preschoolers Kindergartners
Looking for kindergarten books and children's chapter books? Here's a list of best selling books to help you choose good books for kids aged 3-6.
This list is also a useful resource if you're a writer looking for ideas and insights into what's popular with young readers:
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #1: Story Books About Animals
Bestselling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Marcus Pfister: The Rainbow Fish (over 4 million)
Robert McCloskey: Make Way for Ducklings (Caldecott Medal; 3 million)
Peter Zallinger: Dinosaurs (over 2.3 million)
Dodie Smith: 101 Dalmatians (over 2 million)
Syd Hoff: Danny and the Dinosaur (1.6 million)
Else Holmelund Minarik: Little Bear (1.6 million)
Natalie Standiford: The Bravest Dog Ever (over 1.25 million)
Marc Brown: Arthur's Birthday (over 1.15 million); Arthur's Reading Race (over 1.15 million); Arthur Goes to School (1 million)
Janell Cannon: Stellaluna (over 1 million)
Jon Scieszka: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (over 970,000); The Stinky Cheese Man (Caldecott Honor; over 850,000)
Popular Book Series of Kindergarten Books About Animals, with Approximate Sales Figures
Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit Series (150 million), especially The Tale of Peter Rabbit (45 million); The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (over 4 million); The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (over 3.8 million); The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (over 3 million); The Tale of Tom Kitten (over 3 million); The Tale of Miss Moppet; The Tale of Jeremy Fisher;
Hans Augusto Rey: Curious George
series (27 million)
Mercer Mayer: Little Crittur stories, especially Just Me and My Dad (over 4.7 million); Just Go to Bed (over 3.8 million); Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad (3.5 million); Just Grandma and Me (over 3.4 million); Just for You (3.4 million); All by Myself (3.2 million); I Was So Mad (3 million); I Just Forgot (over 2.7 million); When I Get Bigger (2.7 million); The New Baby (2.5 million); Just Me and My Mom (2.2 million); Me Too! (2.2 million); Just Me and My Puppy (over 2 million); Just Shopping with Mom (2 million); Just My Friend and Me (1.8 million); Just Lost (1.75 million); Just Grandpa and Me (1.75 million); Just a Mess (1.7 million); Just Me and My Little Brother
(1.6 million); Just Me in the Tub (over 1.55 million); What a Bad Dream! (1.55 million);
Happy Easter, Little Critter
(over 1.4 million); Just Going to the Dentist (over 1.3 milllion); A Very Special Critter (over 1.2 million); Just a Daydream (over 1 million); Just Me and My Cousin (over 1 million)
Stan and Jan Berenstain: Berenstain Bear series, especially The Berenstain Bears' New Baby
(over 3.7 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room
(over 3.6 million); The Berenstain Bears Go to School
(3.3 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food
(over 3 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV (over 2.9 million); The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners (over 2.9 million); The Berenstain Bears Learn about Strangers (over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist
(over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Truth
(over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears in the Dark
(over 2.6 million); The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor
(over 2.4 million); The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight
(over 2.4 million); The Berenstain Bears: No Girls Allowed (over 2.2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Sitter
(over 2.1 million); The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies
(over 2 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday (over 2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends (2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma's (over 1.9 million); The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team (over 1.95 million); The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp
(over 1.9 million); The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day
(over 1.85 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream
(over 1.85 million); The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money (over 1.6 million); The Berenstain Bears' Nursery Tales (1.6 million); The Berenstain Bears: Trouble at School (over 1.5 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation (over 1.5 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare
(over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit
(over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and Mama's New Job
(over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest (1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party (1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd
(over 1.35 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Pets (over 1.35 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Big Road Race (over 1.35 million); The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright (over 1.2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin (1.2 million); The Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore) (over 1.1 million)
Arnold Lobel: Frog and Toad are Friends (over 2 million); Frog and Toad Together
(Newbery Award; over 1.7 million)
Jean/Laurent De Brunhoff: Babar series (over 1.2 million), especially The Story of Babar (Carnegie Medal)
Favorite Kindergarten Books About Animals
Ruth Bornstein: Little Gorilla
Jan Brett: Annie and the Wild Animals
Wanda Gag: Millions of Cats
Russell Hoban: Bread and Jam for Frances ; A Baby Sister for Frances ; Best Friends for Frances ; A Birthday for Frances
Katharine Holabird: Angelina Ballerina
Steven Kellogg: Can I Keep Him?
Arnold Lobel: Frog and Toad series : Frog and Toad are Friends ; Days with Frog and Toad ; Frog and Toad Together ; Frog and Toad All Year
Else Holmelund Minarik: Little Bear ; Little Bear's Friend ; A Kiss for Little Bear ; Father Bear Comes Home ; Little Bear's Visit (Caldecott Honor)
Dr Seuss: Horton Hatches the Egg
William Steig: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
(Caldecott Medal); Doctor De Soto (Newbery Honor)
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #2: Stories About Parent & Sibling Relationships, Friends & School
Bestselling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Clement Moore: The Night Before Christmas
(over 3.2 million)
Judith Viorst: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (over 2.7 million)
Ludwig Bemelmans: Madeline (Caldecott Medal; over 1.6 million)
Ezra Jack Keats: Snowy Day (Caldecott Medal; 1.3 million)
Else Holmelund Minarik: Little Bear (1.6 million)
Marc Brown:
Ärthur's Birthday (over 1.15 million); Arthur's Reading Race (over 1.15 million); Arthur Goes to School (1 million)
Popular Book Series of Kindergarten Books About Family, Friends & School
Mercer Mayer: Little Crittur stories, especially Just Me and My Dad (over 4.7 million); Just Go to Bed (over 3.8 million); Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad (3.5 million); Just Grandma and Me (over 3.4 million); Just for You (3.4 million); All by Myself (3.2 million); I Was So Mad (3 million); I Just Forgot (over 2.7 million); When I Get Bigger (2.7 million); The New Baby (2.5 million); Just Me and My Mom (2.2 million); Me Too! (2.2 million); Just Me and My Puppy (over 2 million); Just Shopping with Mom (2 million); Just My Friend and Me (1.8 million); Just Lost (1.75 million); Just Grandpa and Me (1.75 million); Just a Mess (1.7 million); Just Me and My Little Brother
(1.6 million); Just Me in the Tub (over 1.55 million); What a Bad Dream! (1.55 million);
Happy Easter, Little Critter
(over 1.4 million); Just Going to the Dentist (over 1.3 milllion); A Very Special Critter (over 1.2 million); Just a Daydream (over 1 million); Just Me and My Cousin (over 1 million)
Stan and Jan Berenstain: Berenstain Bear series, especially The Berenstain Bears' New Baby
(over 3.7 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room
(over 3.6 million); The Berenstain Bears Go to School
(3.3 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food
(over 3 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV (over 2.9 million); The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners (over 2.9 million); The Berenstain Bears Learn about Strangers (over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist
(over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Truth
(over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears in the Dark
(over 2.6 million); The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor
(over 2.4 million); The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight
(over 2.4 million); The Berenstain Bears: No Girls Allowed (over 2.2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Sitter
(over 2.1 million); The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies
(over 2 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday (over 2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends (2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma's (over 1.9 million); The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team (over 1.95 million); The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp
(over 1.9 million); The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day
(over 1.85 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream
(over 1.85 million); The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money (over 1.6 million); The Berenstain Bears' Nursery Tales (1.6 million); The Berenstain Bears: Trouble at School (over 1.5 million); The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation (over 1.5 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare
(over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit
(over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and Mama's New Job
(over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest (1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party (1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd
(over 1.35 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Pets (over 1.35 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Big Road Race (over 1.35 million); The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright (over 1.2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin (1.2 million); The Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore) (over 1.1 million)
Arnold Lobel: Frog and Toad are Friends (over 2 million); Frog and Toad Together
(Newbery Award; over 1.7 million)
Favorite Kindergarten Books About Family, Friends & School
Shirley Hughes: Alfie Gets in First ; An Evening at Alfie's ; Alfie Gives a Hand ; Alfie's Feet ; The Alfie Collection
Russell Hoban: Bread and Jam for Frances ; A Baby Sister for Frances ; Best Friends for Frances ; A Birthday for Frances
Cynthia Rylant: The Relatives Came (Caldecott Honor)
Jean Van Leeuwen: Amanda Pig series, especially Amanda Pig and Her Big Brother Oliver ; Amanda Pig on Her Own ; Oliver, Amanda and Grandmother Pig ; Tales of Oliver Pig ; More Tales of Oliver Pig ; More Tales of Amanda Pig
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #3: Best Fantasy Books & Adventure Books for Kids
Bestselling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Enid Blyton: Noddy Series (200 million)
AA Milne: Winnie-the-Pooh Series (70 million)
Maurice Sendak: Where the Wild Things Are (Caldecott Medal; 6 million)
Margery Williams: The Velveteen Rabbit (over 2 million)
Ludwig Bemelmans: Madeline (Caldecott Medal; over 1.6 million)
Syd Hoff: Danny and the Dinosaur (1.6 million)
Kay Thompson: Eloise (over 1.5 million)
Kindergarten Books: Best Fantasy Books & Adventure Stories
Ursula Le Guin: Catwings (A Catwings Tale) ; Catwings Return ; Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings ; Jane on Her Own
Arthur Ransome: The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship (Caldecott Medal)
David McPhail: Edward and the Pirates
William Steig: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Caldecott Medal); Brave Irene
Michael Bond: A Bear Called Paddington
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #4: Meeting Preschoolers' Needs for Love, Acceptance & Self-Esteem
Bestselling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Robert Munsch: Love You Forever (over 8 million)
Kathryn and Byron Jackson: Saggy Baggy Elephant (7.5 million)
Watty Piper: The Little Engine that Could (over 5 million)
Mercer Mayer: Just Me and My Dad (over 4.7 million); Just Grandma and Me (over 3.4 million); Just Me and My Mom (2.2 million); Just Grandpa and Me (1.75 million); A Very Special Critter (over 1.2 million)
Debra Frasier: On the Day You were Born (over 1 million)
Popular Kindergarten Books that Meet Preschoolers' Needs for Love, Acceptance & Self-Esteem
Jamie Lee Curtis: Tell Me Again about the Night I was Born
Dayle Ann Dodds: Sing, Sophie!
Mem Fox: Wombat Divine
Mary Hoffman: Amazing Grace
Leslie Parrott: God Made You Nose to Toes
Ann Warren Turner: Through Moon and Stars and Night Skies
Taro Yashima: Crow Boy (Caldecott Honor)
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #5: Kids' Stories that Teach Values & Help Preschoolers with Challenges
Bestselling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Shel Silverstein: The Giving Tree (over 5.6 million)
Watty Piper: The Little Engine that Could (over 5 million)
Marcus Pfister: The Rainbow Fish (over 4 million)
Stan and Jan Berenstain: The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room (over 3.6 million); The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners (over 2.9 million); The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist (over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Truth (over 2.8 million); The Berenstain Bears in the Dark (over 2.6 million); The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight (over 2.4 million); The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies (over 2 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends (2 million); The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money (over 1.6 million); The Berenstain Bears: Trouble at School (over 1.5 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare (over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit (over 1.4 million); The Berenstain Bears and the In Crowd (over 1.35 million); The Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore) (over 1.1 million)
Judith Viorst: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (over 2.7 million)
Mercer Mayer: The New Baby (2.5 million); Just Going to the Dentist (over 1.3 million)
Arnold Lobel: Frog and Toad are Friends (over 2 million); Frog and Toad Together (Newbery Honor; over 1.7 million)
Margery Williams: The Velveteen Rabbit (over 2 million)
Virginia Lee Burton: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (over 1 million)
Favorite Kindergarten Books that Teach Values & Help Preschoolers with Challenges
Lenore Blegvad: Anna Banana and Me
Marc Brown: DW Rides Again ; Arthur's Nose; Ärthur's Eyes ; Ärthur's Tooth
Kevin Henkes: Julius, the Baby of the World
Mercer Mayer: There's an Alligator Under My Bed ; There's a Nightmare in My Closet ; and There's Something in My Attic
Emily Arnold McCully: Mirette on the High Wire (Caldecott Medal)
Judith Viorst: The Tenth Good Thing about Barney
Marjorie Weinman Sharmat: Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport
Bernard Waber: Ira Sleeps Over
Oscar Wilde: The Selfish Giant
Vera Williams: A Chair for My Mother (Caldecott Honor)
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #6: Exposing Preschoolers Kindergartners to New Worlds, Experiences & Ideas
Bestselling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Maurice Sendak: Where the Wild Things Are (Caldecott Medal; 6 million); In the Night Kitchen (Caldecott Honor)
Barbara Robinson: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (over 3 million)
Syd Hoff: Danny and the Dinosaur (1.6 million)
Janet and Allan Ahlberg: The Jolly Postman (over 960,000
Popular Kindergarten Books that Expose Preschoolers Kindergartners to New Worlds, Experiences & Ideas
Marjorie Flack: The Story about Ping
Donald Hall: The Ox Cart Man (Caldecott Medal)
Munro Leaf: The Story of Ferdinand
William Steig: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
(Caldecott Medal)
Chris Van Allsburg: Jumanji (Caldecott Medal)
Jane Yolen: Owl Moon (Caldecott Medal)
Ed Young: Seven Blind Mice (Caldecott Honor)
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #7: Kids' Poetry, Nursery Rhymes & Rhyming Songs for Preschoolers Kindergarners
Best Selling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Dr Seuss: Green Eggs and Ham (over 8 million); The Cat in the Hat (over 7.2 million); One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (over 6 million); Hop on Pop (5.5 million); Oh the Places You'll Go! (over 5 million); Fox in Socks (3.7 million); and Mr Brown Can Moo! Can You? (over 2.65 million)
Watty Piper: The Little Engine that Could (over 5 million)
Clement Moore: The Night Before Christmas (over 3.2 million)
Ludwig Bemelmans: Madeline (Caldecott Medal; over 1.6 million)
Favorite Kindergarten Books: Kids' Poetry, Nursery Rhymes & Rhyming Songs for Preschoolers
Edward Lear: The Owl and the Pussycat
Arnold Lobel: Whiskers and Rhymes
Eve Merriam: You be Good and I'll be Night
AA Milne: When We Were Very Young ; and Now We Are Six
Jack Prelutsky: The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom
Michael Rosen: Poems for the Very Young
Top-Selling Kindergarten Books #8: Favorite Funny Stories & Funny Poems
Bestselling Kindergarten Books & Approximate Sales Figures
Dr Seuss: Green Eggs and Ham (over 8 million); The Cat in the Hat (over 7.2 million); One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (over 6 million); Mr Brown Can Moo! Can You? (over 2.65 million); There's a Wocket in My Pocket (over 1.35 million)
Watty Piper: The Little Engine that Could (over 5 million)
PD Eastman: Go, Dog. Go! (3.5 million)
Barbara Robinson: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (over 3 million)
Judith Viorst: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (over 2.7 million)
Patrick Catling: The Chocolate Touch (over 2.4 million)
Syd Hoff: Danny and the Dinosaur (1.6 million)
Esphyr Slobodkina: Caps for Sale (1.2 million)
Jon Scieszka: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (over 970,000); The Stinky Cheese Man (Caldecott Honor; over 850,000)
Marilyn Sadler: PJ Funnybunny: It's Not Easy Being a Bunny (970,000)
Janet and Allan Ahlberg: The Jolly Postman (over 960,000)
Popular Kindergarten Books in Series: Favorite Funny Stories & Funny Poems, with Approximate Sales Figures
AA Milne: Winnie-the-Pooh Series (70 million)
Laura Numeroff: "If You Give..." Series: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1.8 million); If You Give a Moose a Muffin (1.15 million); and If You Give a Pig a Pancake (900,000)
Ludwig Bemelmans: Madeline (Caldecott Medal; over 1.6 million) and sequels
Favorite Kindergarten Books: Funny Stories & Funny Poems
Anne Isaacs: Swamp Angel (Caldecott Honor)
Arnold Lobel: Mouse Tales
James Marshall: George and Martha and sequels
Susan Meddaugh: Martha Speaks (Caldecott Honor) and sequels
Will Lipkind and Nicolas Mordvinoff: Finders Keepers (Caldecott Medal)
Peggy Parish: Amelia Bedelia and sequels
William Steig: Doctor De Soto (Newbery Honor)
Arthur Yorinks: Hey Al! (Caldecott Medal)
Margot Zemach: It Could Always be Worse (Caldecott Honor)
The CBI Clubhouse: Home of the Fightin' Bookworms!
Want to Write for Children? Here's the Place to Be!
Children's Book Insider newsletter
What kinds of stories are most popular with preschoolers? To find out, go to
Preschoolers Kindergartners' Stories: Great Ideas for Writing a Book
and
Creative Writing Ideas: Hot Favorites for Kids.
For creative writing ideas to help you write stories in a way that gets kids reading, go to
How to Write Stories Kids and Teens Want to Read.
Return from Kindergarten Books to Creative Writing Resources: Top Kids' Books Help You to Appeal to Target Audiences
Return from Kindergarten Books to Creative Writing: Write to Win Hearts
Acknowledgments: Publishers Weekly; Wikipedia; Barnes & Noble; Amazon.com; The New York Times Parent's Guide to the Best Books for Children by Eden Ross Lipson, Three Rivers Press, 2000; Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson, Crossway Books, 2002; Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt, Zondervan 2002; For the Love of Reading by David Bouchard, Orca Book Publishers, 2004. Also, to all who have contributed reviews, information and advice, Thank You!
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