Bestselling Literature & Fiction Books for 3 Year Olds

Here are the top 30 bestselling literature & fiction books for 3 year olds. Please click Read Review to read book reviews on Amazon. You can also click Find in Library to check book availability at your local library. If the default library is not correct, please follow Change Library to reset it.

1. The Wonderful Things You Will Be

by: Emily Winfield Martin
Release date: Aug 25, 2015
Number of Pages: 36
Find in Library
Read Review
The New York Times bestseller that celebrates the dreams, acceptance, and love that parents have for their children . . . now and forever!
 
From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin’s rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, and a clever gatefold with kids in costumes, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids—both young and old. A great gift for any occasion, but a special stand-out for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation. The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes.
tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > New Baby

2. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas

by: Alice SchertleJill McElmurry
Release date: Sep 23, 2014
Number of Pages: 24
Find in Library
Read Review

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep!

With the gentle rhythm and signature illustration style that made Little Blue Truck a household name, Blue’s new adventure is full of holiday warmth. Sturdy cardstock pages, a compact and child-friendly text, and flashing colored Christmas lights on the final page come together in a novelty gift book that’s sure to be the favorite treat of the season.
 

 
tags:

Children’s Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Christmas

3. If Animals Kissed Good Night

by: Ann Whitford PaulDavid Walker
Release date: Jun 03, 2014
Number of Pages: 34
Find in Library
Read Review

If animals kissed
like we kiss good night,
Giraffe and his calf
would stretch their necks high
and kiss just beneath
the top of the sky.

In a cozy bedtime chat with her mom, a young girl wonders how animal families might say good night. Would Wolf and his pup “kiss and then HOWL”? Would Bear and her cub “kiss and then GROWL”? But what about Sloth and her baby? They move soooo slooowwwww . . . they’re sure to be kissing from early evening until long after everyone else is fast asleep!

With whimsical art and playful rhyming verse, this picture book is now in board book format for the first time, perfect for bedtime snuggles.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Baby Animals

4. The Book with No Pictures

by: B.J. Novak
Release date: Sep 30, 2014
Number of Pages: 48
Find in Library
Read Review
A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian.
You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .
 
BLORK. Or BLUURF.
 
Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.
 
Cleverly irreverent and irresistibly silly, The Book with No Pictures is one that kids will beg to hear again and again. (And parents will be happy to oblige.)
tags:

Children’s Books > Humor

5. The Day the Crayons Quit

by: Drew DaywaltOliver Jeffers
Release date: Jun 27, 2013
Number of Pages: 40
Find in Library
Read Review
The #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon!

Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.

What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons and coloring a blue streak after sharing laughs with Drew Daywalt and New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers. This story is perfect as a back-to-school gift, for all budding artists, for fans of humorous books such as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, and for fans of Oliver Jeffers’ Stuck, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Lost and Found, and This Moose Belongs to Me.

Praise for The Day the Crayons Quit

Amazon’s 2013 Best Picture Book of the Year

A Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2013

Goodreads’ 2013 Best Picture Book of the Year 

Winner of the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award

* “Hilarious . . . Move over, Click, Clack, Moo; we’ve got a new contender for the most successful picture-book strike.” –BCCB, starred review 

“Jeffers . . . elevates crayon drawing to remarkable heights.” –Booklist

“Fresh and funny.” –The Wall Street Journal

“This book will have children asking to have it read again and again.” –Library Media Connection

* “This colorful title should make for an uproarious storytime.” –School Library Journal, starred review 

* “These memorable personalities will leave readers glancing apprehensively at their own crayon boxes.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review 

“Utterly original.” –San Francisco Chronicle

tags:

Children’s Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Art

6. Dragons Love Tacos

by: Adam RubinDaniel Salmieri
Release date: Jun 14, 2012
Number of Pages: 40
Find in Library
Read Review
A New York Times bestselling phenomenon, this deliciously funny read-aloud from the creators of Robo-Sauce and Secret Pizza Party will make you laugh until spicy salsa comes out of your nose.

Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.

The award-winning team of Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri has created an unforgettable tale of new friends and the perfect snack.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals

7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by: Eric Carle
Release date: Mar 23, 1994
Number of Pages: 26
Find in Library
Read Review
THE all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Have you shared it with a child or grandchild in your life?

“The very hungry caterpillar literally eats his way through the pages of the book—and right into your child’s heart…”
Mother’s Manual

“Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly innovative…”
The New York Times Book Review

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders

8. The Pout-Pout Fish

by: Deborah DiesenDan Hanna
Release date: Aug 06, 2013
Number of Pages: 36
Find in Library
Read Review

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Deep in the water,
Mr. Fish swims about
With his fish face stuck
In a permanent pout.

Can his pals cheer him up?
Will his pout ever end?
Is there something he can learn
From an unexpected friend?

Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading “dreary wearies” isn’t really his destiny. Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in Deborah Diesen’s fun fish story that’s sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Fish

9. Turkey Trouble

by: Wendi SilvanoLee Harper
Release date: Oct 01, 2009
Number of Pages: 32
Find in Library
Read Review
Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving . . . and you’re the main
course. But Turkey has an idea–what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead?
After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever!

Wendi Silvano’s comical story is perfectly matched by Lee Harper’s watercolors.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Birds

10. Little Blue Truck board book

by: Alice SchertleJill McElmurry
Release date: Jul 07, 2015
Number of Pages: 30
Find in Library
Read Review
Beep! Beep! Beep! Meet Blue. A muddy country road is no match for this little pick up–that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck. Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they’re willing to do whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road.
With a text full of truck sounds and animal noises to read aloud, here is a rollicking homage to the power of friendship and the rewards of helping others.
 
Includes a downloadable party kit for even more fun!

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Farm Animals

11. Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

by: Dr. Seuss
Release date: Jan 22, 1990
Number of Pages: 56
Find in Library
Read Review

Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the perfect send-off for grads—from nursery school, high school, college, and beyond! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. In a starred review, Booklist notes, “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’” A perennial favorite and a perfect gift for anyone starting a new phase in their life!

tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Dr. Seuss

12. What Do You Do With an Idea?

by: Kobi YamadaMae Besom
Release date: Feb 01, 2014
Number of Pages: 36
Find in Library
Read Review
A New York Times Best Seller and award-winning book, What Do You Do With an Idea? is for anyone who’s ever had a big idea.

This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who’s ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It’s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s just getting started.

Praise for What Do You Do With an Idea?

National best seller, appearing in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly.

Gold medal winner of the Independent Publishers Award, the Washington State Book Award, and the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award.

“What makes this message so unique is the simple but beautiful way it’s delivered, in narrative and illustration, through the eyes and voice of an innocent and hopeful child. What Do You Do With An Idea? is a spectacular book for all ages and is a wonderful treasure for any home or school library.” &#151The Children’s Book Review

“Despite the fact that it’s Yamada’s first time writing a children’s book, it’s had breakout success, selling over 300,000 copies since its publication date of January 2014.” &#151Publishers Weekly

tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Friendship, Social Skills & School Life > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect

13. Today I’ll Be a Princess

by: Paula CroyleHeather Brown
Release date: Apr 02, 2013
Number of Pages: 12
Find in Library
Read Review
This sparkly little board book indulges every girl’s princess fantasies, but still delivers the gentle reminder that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the castle walls.

Every little girl wants to be a princess, and every mom knows that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the castle walls. With its colorful pictures, Today I’ll Be a Princess will make both sides happy, encouraging hours of imaginative play. Our heroine imagines all sorts of advantages to being a princess, until she learns that princesses don’t get to play in the mud. It’s no contest, and the tiara is abandoned in favor of playtime outside.

To purchase a copy of this book personalized just for you, search for “Today [Your Name] Will Be a Princess”!

tags:

Children’s Books > Activities, Crafts & Games > Activity Books

14. Paw Patrol Phonics Box Set (PAW Patrol) (Step into Reading)

by: Jennifer LibertsMike Jackson
Release date: Jul 28, 2015
Number of Pages: 144
Find in Library
Read Review
This Step into Reading boxed set includes 12 full-color phonics readers featuring the pups of Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol! Each book features a specific phonics concept that will give boys and girls ages 3 to 7 the tools they need to begin reading on their own.
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Dogs

15. Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? A Lift-the-Flap Book

by: Karen KatzKaren Katz
Release date: Sep 01, 2000
Number of Pages: 14
Find in Library
Read Review
Karen Katz’s adorable babies play peekaboo in this delightful interactive book. The sturdy format and easy-to-lift flaps are perfect for parents and children to share.

“Where are Baby’s hands? Under the bubbles!”

“Where are baby’s eyes? Under her hat!”

tags:

Children’s Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Anatomy & Physiology

16. Potty (Leslie Patricelli board books)

by: Leslie PatricelliLeslie Patricelli
Release date: Sep 14, 2010
Number of Pages: 28
Find in Library
Read Review
A new toddler title charts a crucial achievement. There comes a point in a toddler’s life when going in one’s diaper is only one possible option, and the question must be raised: “Should I go in my potty?”

With pitch-perfect humor and pacing, Leslie Patricelli follows the inner dialogue (sure to have little ones shouting responses) and hilarious actions of everyone’s favorite Baby, winding up with an over-the-top look of surprise and delight that will have both parents and offspring laughing out loud–“I did it!”

tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > New Experiences

17. Merry Christmas, Daniel Tiger!: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)

by: Angela C. SantomeroJason Fruchter
Release date: Sep 22, 2015
Number of Pages: 14
Find in Library
Read Review
It’s a very merry Christmas with all your friends from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood in this charming board book with flaps!

It’s Christmastime in the Neighborhood of Make Believe, and Daniel Tiger and his family can’t wait to celebrate! Join Daniel as he makes cookies for Santa with Baker Aker, decorates the Christmas tree with Mom Tiger, unwraps presents with Baby Margaret, and much more! This board book features lift-and-reveal flaps on each spread.

© 2015 The Fred Rogers Company

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Lions, Tigers & Leopards

18. Guess How Much I Love You

by: Sam McBratneyAnita Jeram
Release date: Oct 14, 2008
Number of Pages: 24
Find in Library
Read Review
“Guess how much I love you,” says Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. Well then Little Nutbrown Hare loves him right up to the moon, but that’s just halfway to Big Nutbrown Hare’s love for him.
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Rabbits

19. Llama Llama Jingle Bells

by: Anna DewdneyAnna Dewdney
Release date: Oct 21, 2014
Number of Pages: 14
Find in Library
Read Review
With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.
 
In Llama Llama Jingle Bells, little llama and his friends give gifts, sing songs, and decorate cookies. It’s a very merry holiday indeed!
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Mammals

20. The Most Magnificent Thing

by: Ashley SpiresAshley Spires
Release date: Apr 01, 2014
Number of Pages: 32
Find in Library
Read Review
Award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Spires has created a charming picture book about an unnamed girl and her very best friend, who happens to be a dog. The girl has a wonderful idea. ?She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!? But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right.

For the early grades’ exploration of character education, this funny book offers a perfect example of the rewards of perseverance and creativity. The girl’s frustration and anger are vividly depicted in the detailed art, and the story offers good options for dealing honestly with these feelings, while at the same time reassuring children that it’s okay to make mistakes. The clever use of verbs in groups of threes is both fun and functional, offering opportunities for wonderful vocabulary enrichment. The girl doesn’t just ?make? her magnificent thing — she ?tinkers and hammers and measures,? she ?smoothes and wrenches and fiddles,? she ?twists and tweaks and fastens.? These precise action words are likely to fire up the imaginations of youngsters eager to create their own inventions and is a great tie-in to learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Dogs

21. Peppa’s Christmas Wish (Peppa Pig)

by: Scholastic
Release date: Aug 27, 2013
Number of Pages: 24
Find in Library
Read Review
Celebrate Christmas with Peppa! This 8×8 includes stickers.

Snuggle up with Peppa Pig in this 2-in-1 wintertime storybook! It’s Christmas Eve, and Peppa is hoping for a very special gift from Santa Claus. Will her wish come true? Then, Peppa and George decide to build a great, big snowman. This charming book includes two stories and a sheet of stickers!

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Pigs

22. The Goodnight Train

by: June SobelLaura Huliska-Beith
Release date: Jun 19, 2012
Number of Pages: 30
Find in Library
Read Review
All aboard for Dreamland! Hold on to your pillow because the Goodnight Train is taking off. Roll that corner, rock that curve, and soar past mermaids, leaping sheep, and even ice-cream clouds. You won’t want to miss a thing, so whatever you do, don’t . . . close . . . your . . . eyes! 
           
With soothing, lyrical words and magical illustrations, June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith have created a nighttime fantasy that’s guaranteed to make even the most resistant sleeper snuggle up tight.

tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Sleep

23. The Christmas Wish

by: Lori EvertPer Breiehagen
Release date: Sep 10, 2013
Number of Pages: 48
Find in Library
Read Review
In the tradition of The Snowman, The Polar Express, and the many books of Jan Brett this cozy Nordic tale filled with extraordinary photographs will have readers of all ages believing in the magic of Christmas. This is one to pull out every year and savor.

Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa’s elves. So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Mammals

24. God Gave Us Christmas

by: Lisa Tawn BergrenDavid Hohn
Release date: Oct 10, 2006
Number of Pages: 40
Find in Library
Read Review
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…

“Who invented Christmas?”
Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that…

Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Bears

25. P is for Potty! (Sesame Street) (Lift-the-Flap)

by: Random HouseChristopher Moroney
Release date: Jul 22, 2014
Number of Pages: 12
Find in Library
Read Review
Sesame Street‘s Elmo tells little girls and boys ages 1 to 3 all about how to use the potty in this sturdy lift-the-flap board book with more than 30 flaps. It’s the perfect mix of fun and learning for potty-training toddlers–especially as they practice sitting on the potty!
tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Health > Personal Hygiene

26. Last Stop on Market Street

by: Matt de la PeñaChristian Robinson
Release date: Jan 08, 2015
Number of Pages: 32
Find in Library
Read Review
Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal
A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book
A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

A New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015
A Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2015

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
 
This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Pena’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.

tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Multigenerational

27. Peek-A Who?

by: Nina Laden
Release date: Feb 01, 2000
Number of Pages: 10
Find in Library
Read Review
Colorful pictures and simple rhyming texts help children guess what’s peeking through the die-cut windows in these two fun board books. The anticipation of what’s hiding on the next page and the bright, engaging illustrations will keep youngsters guessing and giggling all the way to the suprise endings.
tags:

Children’s Books > Activities, Crafts & Games > Games

28. Bedtime for Peppa (Peppa Pig)

by: ScholasticEone
Release date: Aug 25, 2015
Number of Pages: 24
Find in Library
Read Review
An all-new storybook featuring Peppa–a lovable, slightly bossy little piggy!

It is bedtime for Peppa and George, but the little piggies are not sleepy! They must take their bath, brush their teeth, and listen to a story before they can have sweet dreams.

Join Peppa and George on an adorable bedtime-themed tale in this storybook based on the hit Nick Jr. show!

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Pigs

29. They All Saw a Cat

by: Brendan Wenzel
Release date: Aug 30, 2016
Number of Pages: 44
Find in Library
Read Review
A New York Times bestseller
?”An ingenious idea, gorgeously realized.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Both simple and ingenious in concept, Wenzel’s book feels like a game changer.” —The Huffington Post

The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . .In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see?

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Cats

30. Baby Touch and Feel: Animals

by: DK
Release date: Jan 21, 2008
Number of Pages: 14
Find in Library
Read Review

This USA Today bestselling board book encourages tiny fingers to explore and develop fine motor skills while building an early language foundation. Babies will meet adorable puppies, kittens, penguins, and other animals throughout the pages of the book.

Filled with real-life animal photographs featuring touch-and-feel textures that help children develop their knowledge while increasing their use of senses, Baby Touch and Feel: Animals is the perfect size for small hands. Its padded cover can withstand biting and throwing while its thick sturdy board pages won’t tear. Your baby can practice animal recognition and perfect animal noises while touching the novelty textures on the pages.   

With over one million copies sold, Baby Touch and Feel: Animals is the perfect book for your child’s bookshelf. 

About the series:
Baby Touch and Feel books are the perfect series for the very youngest readers. These small, padded books excite babies and toddlers with their foil and touch-and-feel covers. Each book in this affordable series contains twelve vibrant interior pages with bold, engaging images. Containing large word labels, each page has foil or glitter to behold or a tantalizing texture to touch. These safe novelty textures intrigue babies and are perfect for little fingers to feel. The Baby Touch and Feel series encourages sensory development, language skills, and early reading skills while teaching colors, shapes, patterns, and opposites.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals

Best Selling Books for 3 year olds:

Recommended Books for 3 year olds:

Best Selling Literature & Fiction Books for:

Recommended Literature & Fiction Books for:

Last updated: Monday, December 5, 2016 3:08 AM