Children's Books

TOP 20 BEST-SELLING CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF ALL TIME

10. Scuffy the Tugboat

by Gertrude Crampton (hardcover)

Illustrator: Tibor Gergely

Year published: 1946

Publisher: Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc.

The story is a red-painted tugboat named Scuffy. Being ambitious as he was, Scuffy has always thought he was meant for bigger things. When his owner brought him with them into a small brook, he was delighted. But when he was swept into a stream, then into a small river, then into a big river, he got frightened. When he was about to be swept into the sea, his owner rescued him. That’s when he realized that being in a bathtub, where he was meant to be, was not such a bad thing. The book sold 7,366,073 copies.

9. Saggy Baggy Elephant

by Kathryn and Byron Jackson (hardcover)

Illustrator: Gustaf Tengren

Year published: 1947

Publisher: Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc.

The story is about a little elephant named Sooki. He was a happy, dancing elephant, until he met a tactless parrot who told him that he had a saggy and baggy skin. Sooki tried to do something about it, asking for help from anyone he meets, but did not succeed. Finally, he was rescued by a herd of elephants who danced with him. Sooki was happy once again. The book sold 7,476,395 copies.

8. Pat the Bunny

by Dorothy Kunhardt (hardcover)

Illustrator: Dorothy Kunhardt

Year published: 1940

Publisher: Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc.

Pat the Bunny is actually a book with interactive elements, as it is like a touch-and-feel book for children. Aside from “patting the bunny,” other activities include scratching daddy’s beard, smelling the flowers, looking into the mirror, peek-a-boo blanket, and many more. It was made by the author for her 3-year-old daughter then. The book sold 7,562,710 copies.

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

by J. K. Rowling (hardcover)

Illustrator: Mary GrandPré

Year published: 2000

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

In this story, Harry was to join a tournament, even though he did not recall submitting his name and he was underage for the tournament. He won the tournament along with Cedric. They received as a prize a port key that would transport them to an old graveyard, where Lord Valdemort and Pettigrew awaited them. Cedric was killed, and Harry’s hair was used to restore Lord Valdemort to a new body. Harry’s and Lord Valdemort’s curses met and interlocked, which caused Harry’s parents to appear and protect him so he could escape, taking with him the body of Cedric. When things were back to normal, Dumbledore announced of Lord Valdemort’s return. The book sold 7,913,765 copies.

6. Green Eggs and Ham

by Dr. Seuss (hardcover)

Illustrator:  Dr. Seuss

Year published: 1960

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

The story only includes two main characters, Sam-I-am and an unnamed character. It’s all about Sam trying so hard to convince the unnamed character to eat the green eggs and ham, but the unnamed friend of his is also persistent with his decision not to eat them, for he doesn’t like green eggs and ham. Until finally, he decided to eat them, in a condition that Sam will leave him. Sam agreed. After eating the green eggs and ham, the unnamed friend of Sam realized that he actually liked the taste of green eggs and ham and would very much want to eat it again, thanking Sam for being so persistent. The book sold 8,143,088 copies.

5. Tootle

by Gertrude Crampton (hardcover)

Illustrator: Tibor Gergely

Year published: 1945

Publisher: Golden Books

The story is about a baby locomotive named Tootle, who went to a locomotive school to learn the basics every little train must learn to lead a fast train. Tootle had to obey the rules of the school, the most important of which is to “stay on the rails no matter what.” At first, Tootle couldn’t seem to follow this certain rue, until the town found a way to make him. The book sold 8,560,277 copies.

4. The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter (hardcover)

Illustrator: Beatrix Potter

Year published: 1902

Publisher: Frederick Warne and Co.

The story is about Peter, a young rabbit who, along with his 3 sisters, was forbidden by her mother to enter the garden of Mr. McGregor. Their father died and was made an ingredient of a pie by Mrs. McGregor. Peter, naughty as he was, still went to the garden and stumbled across the owner of the garden, himself. After almost being caught not just once, he was able to home to his mother alive. The book sold 9,380,274 copies.

3. The Outsiders

by S. E. Hinton (paperback)

Illustrator: Daryl Sparks

Year published: 1967

Publisher: Laurel-Leaf Books, imprint of Random House Books for Young
Readers

The story is about two gangs, the Socz and the Greasers. A 14-year-old poor boy name Ponyboy Curtis belongs to the Greasers, a gang of lower-class youths. He is shy, quiet boy who gets paranoid anything concerning the Socz since he was beaten up by them before. Throughout the story, Ponyboy was with a friend who saves, helps, or accompanies him. The story is more about the importance of friendship. The book sold 9,695,159 copies.

2. Charlotte’s Web

by E. B. White (paperback)

Illustrator: Garth Williams

Year published: 1952

Publisher: HarperCollins

The story is about an extraordinarily small pig which was saved by a little girl named Fern from its untimely death. The pig grew up to be hyperactive and loves life. When the pig named Wilbur was sold to Fern’s uncle, Wilbur met Charlotte, a gray spider. They became best friends. Charlotte was always there for Wilbur and was always ready to help him. Soon, Charlotte died, but her
offsprings became Wilbur’s friends as well. The book sold 9,899,696 copies.

1. The Poky Little Puppy

by Janette Sebring Lowrey (hardcover)

Illustrator: Gustaf Tengren

Year published: 1970

Publisher: Random House, Inc

The story is about a puppy fond of exploring and playing around. Because of this, he is unintentionally rewarded. He was the only one not being scolded at. He was able to eat the food that wasn’t intended for them to eat as a part of their punishment, twice. But in the end, his being fond of playing around had a drawback. He was now the only one not being able to eat strawberry shortcake made by their mother for the puppies. He felt sorry for himself. The book sold 14,898,341 copies.

TOP 20 BEST-SELLING CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF ALL TIME

By: the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

20. A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L’Engle (paperback)

Illustrator: Caldecott Honor

Year published: 1973

Publisher: Yearling Books, an imprint of Random House, Inc.

The story is a combination of fantasy and science. It talks about the travel of the three kids, Meg, her brother Charles, and their schoolmate and friend, Calvin, through the universe with the help of the three “Mrs. Ws,” Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which.
The three kids were transported through the universe with a tesseract, a fifth-dimensional phenomenon. In their travel, they learn many things, things about science, things which they thought are pure fantasy but actually exist, and the importance of love. The book sold 6,393,523 copies.

19. The Indian in the Cupboard

by Lynne Reid Banks (paperback)

Illustrator: Brock Cole

Year published: 1980

Publisher: HarperCollins

The story starts with Omri receiving a cupboard from his brother as a birthday gift. The cupboard, when used with the key that belonged to his great grandmother, places the spirits of historical people in plastic toys; in this case, it was the Indian of 1750s. The story emphasizes in its story the value of friendship. The book sold 6,394,587 copies.

18. Shane

by Jack Schaefer (paperback)

Illustrator: J. McCormick

Year published: 1983

Publisher: Laurel Leaf Books, an
imprint of Random House, Inc.

Shane is a stranger welcomed by the Starretts in their home. The story is about a man who tries to leave his past behind, but in his desire to help the family who welcomed him, killed two people. Later on, he left the family but changed their lives forever as he left. The book sold 6,397,270 copies.

17. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret

by Judy Blume (paperback)

Illustrator: Judy Blume

Year published: 1986

Publisher: Yearling Books, an
imprint of Random House, Inc.

A story about a teenage girl and preteen struggles she undergoes, along with her mixed religious heritage. Teenage girls will surely love to read this book, since they can relate to emotions and difficulties that the main character is facing. The book sold 6,478,427 copies.

16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

by J. K. Rowling (paperback)

Illustrator: Mary GrandPré

Year published: 1999

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks, imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

The story began with the dreadful life of a boy, Harry Potter, with his abusive aunt and uncle. The boy turns out to be a wizard and was then enrolled to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story describes how Harry makes friends, and some enemies, in his
new life at Hogwarts. The book sold 6,631,807 copies.

15. Island of the Blue Dolphins

by Scott O’Dell (paperback)

Illustrator: Ted Lewin

Year published: 1987

Publisher: Yearling Books, an imprint of Random House, Inc.

Long ago, there was a beautiful island where different animals gather, play, and live. There also lived Indians, but they left the island. When they left, a girl named Karana was left behind. The story talks not only about the survival of a young girl but also of discovery of the beauty of nature. The book sold 6,636,267 copies.

14. Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls (paperback)

Illustrator: Joel Spector

Year published: 1984

Publisher: Laurel Leaf Books, an
imprint of Random House, Inc.

The story is about a boy, Billy, who has two Redbone Coonhounds. The dogs were loyal to him, and he loved them dearly. They spend so much time together, until the tragic incident one night, when one of the dogs, Old Dan, died of defending Billy. The other dog, Little
Ann, died several days after of hunger. She missed Old Dan so much that she didn’t want to eat. Both dogs were buried next to each other. After a few days, when Billy and his family were about to leave the place, he decided to visit the graves. There, he saw a large plant has grown between the two mounds, a red fern. The book sold 6,754,308 copies.

13. Love You Forever

by Robert Munsch (paperback)

Illustrator: Sheila McGraw

Year published: 1995

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd.

The story shows the enduring nature of a mother’s love. In this story, until the baby boy became a man, the mother still sings the song she
used to sing to him when he was yet a baby. She never stopped until she got sick and became too old and weak to hold him. The book sold 6,970,000 copies.

12. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

by Judy Blume (paperback)

Illustrator: Roy Doty

Year published: 2007

Publisher: Puffin,
imprint of Penguin Books

The story revolves around the life of a fourth-grader, Peter Hatcher. There, his emotions, struggles, and relationship with his little
brother are narrated. The book sold 7,131,648 copies.

11. The Cat in the Hat

by Dr. Seuss (hardcover)

Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Year published: 1957

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Cat in the Hat is about a cat wearing a tall hat that would do anything to entertain the two kids on a rainy day. He performed all tricks
possible to amuse them, while their mother was away. However, he was made to clean up the mess he made doing all his tricks, just in time for the two children’s mother to arrive. The book sold 7,220,982 copies.