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New York Times Best Sellers – Children’s

The New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is updated online every Wednesday evening. Below are best seller lists for children's middle grade hardcover books and picture books. For more lists, visit our New York Times Best Sellers page, our NYT Times Best Sellers for Teens page , or The New York Times's Best Sellers page.

Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover

August 31, 2025

1

Wonderby R.J. Palacio
A boy with a facial deformity starts school. (Ages 8 to 12)

2

Refugeeby Alan Gratz
Three children in three different conflicts look for safe haven. (Ages 9 to 12)

3

Impossible Creaturesby Katherine Rundell. Illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie
A young boy is enlisted to save a place where magical creatures reside. (Ages 10 and up)

4

The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefsby America's Test Kitchen Kids
Over 100 kid-tested recipes from America's Test Kitchen. (Ages 8 and up)

5

Odderby Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Charles Santoso
After a shark attack, Odder recuperates at the aquarium with the scientists who raised her. (Ages 8 to 12)

6

Blood in the Waterby Tiffany D. Jackson
Kaylani McKinnon investigates a mysterious death on Martha’s Vineyard. (Ages 9 to 12)

7

Snoopby Gordon Korman
Confined and bored at home after a skiing accident, Carter hacks into his town’s police cameras. (Ages 9 to 12)

8

The Misfits: a Royal Conundrumby Lisa Yee. Illustrated by Dan Santat
Olive is sent to Reforming Arts School and teams up with a group of crime-fighting outcasts. (Ages 8 to 12)

9

Heroesby Alan Gratz
The friends Frank and Stanley give a vivid account of the Pearl Harbor attack. (Ages 8 to 12)

10

Wings of Fire: a Guide to the Dragon Worldby Tui T. Sutherland. Illustrated by Joy Ang
A deeper dive into the legends of the 10 dragon tribes. (Ages 8 to 12)

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Children’s Picture Books

August 31, 2025

1

The Smart Cookieby Jory John. Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Cookie builds up her self-confidence. (Ages 4 to 8)

2

On the First Day of Kindergartenby Tish Rabe. Illustrated by Laura Hughes
A little girl's first 12 days of kindergarten. (Ages 4 to 8)

3

The Pigeon Has to Go to School!by Mo Willems
Pigeon deals with the anxieties of going to school for the first time. (Ages 3 to 5)

4

The Wonderful Things You Will Beby Emily Winfield Martin
A celebration of future possibilities. (Ages 3 to 7)

5

Dragons Love Tacosby Adam Rubin. Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
What to serve your dragon-guests. (Ages 3 to 5)

6

The Crayons Go Back to Schoolby Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
The crayons go back to school and can't wait for art class. (Ages 4 to 8)

7

The Day the Crayons Quitby Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Problems arise when Duncan’s crayons revolt. (Ages 3 to 7)

8

Time for School, Little Blue Truckby Alice Schertle. Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Blue gives a friend a ride to school. (Ages 4 to 7)

9

See You Later, Alligator!by Sally Hopgood. Illustrated by Emma Levey
A departing tortoise says goodbye to all his animal friends. (Ages 3 to 6)

10

The Magical Yetby Angela DiTerlizzi. Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez
A being known as the Magical Yet helps children to realize their future potential. (Ages 4 to 8)