Check out some of the best-selling picture books of all time, both on and off our platform!
At Epic, we’re huge fans of picture books and think you’re never too old to enjoy the fun, silly, often moving illustrations and memorable storytelling. What makes it even more special for us grownups is when we can share our favorite staples of children’s literature from our own childhoods with our little ones–books that they can then pass on to future generations.
The good news is we’ve got quite a few of these popular classics on Epic. Take a look a some of the best-selling picture books of all time below!
Best-Selling Picture Books of All Time on Epic
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
By: Beatrix Potter
Ages: 2-6
Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” is among the most beloved and best-selling children’s books of all time. Your kid can follow the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he (despite his mother’s warnings) raids Mr. McGregor’s garden for some yummy veggies. It’s great fun until he gets caught!
The simple illustrations and traditional language will transport your kid into another time as they read this timeless classic. If they love this book, check out others in the series, including “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny,” “The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck” and “Peter Rabbit and Eleven Other Favorite Tales” on Epic.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Written by: Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrated by: Eric Carle
Ages: 4 & under
From author Bill Martin Jr. and late illustrator Eric Carle of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” fame comes this endearing animal story based on the classic board book.
With rhythmic text and the delightful, boldly colored collage illustrations Carle is known for, this Read-To-Me book teaches little ones how to identify colors by looking at the cascade of animals and birds.
Goodnight Moon (Audiobook)
Written by: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by: Clement Hurd
Ages: 4 & under
A little bunny, tucked away and ready for sleep, says goodnight to all the familiar things in its softly lit room. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon,” and everything from the clocks and socks, to the mittens and the kittens. With its melodic word sequences and gentle imagery, “Goodnight Moon” has lulled generations of sleepy kiddos to sleep. This classic story book is the perfect first book and bedtime read-aloud for your young reader or pre-reader.
Also available as a Read-To-Me book!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Written by: Bill Martin
Illustrated by: Michael Sampson
Ages: 3-6
“A told B and B told C,
“I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree!”
All the letters of the alphabet race up a coconut tree in this silly, zany rhyming ABCs book. This video version of the bestselling picture book is so much fun, you’ll find yourselves laughing to the rollicking words again and again.
If your kid loves this, they might also like “Chicka Chickadee’s 1 2 3,” available on Epic in video and audiobook format.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
By: Crockett Johnson
Ages: 3-7
This Read-To-Me version of the beloved classic storybook about a little boy and his magical purple crayon has been handed down from bookshelf to bookshelf for generations. Adult fans will remember Harold’s fateful moonlight walk when, using his enormous purple crayon, he draws a wondrous world through forests and distant seas and more.
With its soothing, dreamlike tone, this is the perfect tale to share with little ones before bedtime.
The Real Mother Goose
Ages: 3-7
This classic board board has delighted young kids for over 100 years. Now they can enjoy 15 of the most beloved Mother Goose rhymes in digital format on Epic. With lively, colorful pictures, your kid will want to share this enchanting collection with their own families for generations to come.
The Snowy Day (Audiobook)
By: Ezra Jack Keats
Ages: 4-7
This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book follows a little boy named Peter as he pulls on his snowsuit and makes his way through the city during winter’s first snowfall. The story beautifully and sweetly depicts a child’s wonder through Peter’s adventures through the snow, and is the perfect read to snuggle up with on a cold winter day.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Audiobook)
By Philip C. Stead
Ages: 4-8
Every day Amus the zookeeper takes good care of his animal friends, until one day when he has to take a sick day. So the animals decide it’s their turn to take care of him! Endearing and warm, this audio version of the beloved children’s book will give your little ones warm and fuzzies while showing them the value of taking care of others in times of need.
Love You Forever
Written by: Robert Munsch
Illustrated by: Sheila McGraw
Ages: 4-8
Get the tissues handy and cuddle up with this nostalgic, heartwarming picture book. At times filled with funny antics and at other times touching and sweet, this book tells the story of a mother’s love for her child from cradle to adulthood. It culminates in a gentle twist that reveals the enduring and tenderly reciprocal bond between parents and their children. The soothing rhythmic prose makes this one of the best read-alouds for kids of all time, loved by little ones and grownups alike.
Where The Wild Things Are (Audiobook)
By: Maurice Sendak
Ages: 4-8
Grab your copy of this gorgeously illustrated book and let your kids follow along with the audio version on Epic!
Adult fans of “Where the Wild Things Are” will remember Max, who’s transported far away to a magical forest filled with wild things after he threatens to eat his mother (eek!) and she sends him to bed without supper.
Fortunately, the wild things don’t eat Max, and instead make him their king. In the end Max realizes that king or not, he still needs the love of his parents. The story teaches kids about love, family and that it’s okay to have strong feelings and still treat others with love and respect.
Other Recommendations:
Want more? Check out a few more bestsellers off our platform, all available off on Amazon.
Are You My Mother?
By: P.D. Eastman
When a mother bird’s egg starts to jump, she hurries off to find food for her baby to eat. But the egg hatches while she’s away and the baby bird sets off to find his mother, not knowing what she’s supposed to look like.The hatchling encounters a kitten, a hen, a dog, and other animals, asking each, “are you my mother? Little ones love this timeless story about the bond between mother and child.
Cars and Trucks and Things that Go
By Richard Scarry
Start your engines and get ready for a fun-filled read packed with planes, trains, automobiles in this cherished classic from Random House. Car-loving tots will love flipping through hundreds of clearly labeled vehicles in this brightly illustrated picture book.
Corduroy
By: Don Freeman
A little bear named Corduroy has been on the store shelf for a long time when he meets a little girl named Lisa. She loves him instantly, despite the fact that he’s a little worn and missing a button. Corduroy knows he’s the bear for her and sets out in the middle of the night to fix himself up and be the bear she deserves.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
By: Mo Willems
This hilarious book starts off giving kids one job: don’t, under any circumstance let the pigeon drive the bus! The pigeon then does everything in his power to try to get the listener to allow him to drive.
Brilliant in its simplicity, this book teaches kids the importance of following rules and not letting others sway them from doing what they know is right.
The prose will inspire more than a few giggles and young children can learn a valuable lesson from the pigeon and the driver.
Green Eggs and Ham
By: Dr. Seuss
“I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am.”
This beloved favorite is filled with whimsical rhymes and tongue-twisters kids can follow along as it lists all the great places you could enjoy green eggs and ham. With its silly narration and simple language, it’s a perfect first book to share with your little one.
If your kid likes this, they’ll love these other popular titles: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” and “The Cat in the Hat.”
Where the Sidewalk Ends
By: Shel Silverstein
More a book of poetry and illustrations than a traditional picture book comes this celebrated gem from the author of “The Giving Tree,” “A Light in the Attic” and many more. Generations of kids have loved these collections of hilarious, yet profound poems. In this anthology, readers meet such characters as a boy who turns in to a TV, another who washes his shadow, and a girl who eats a whale. All told in Silverstein’s trademark imaginative verse.
Is your kid ready to try some of the best-selling chapter books of all time? We recommend these top picks for older kids and young adults.
- “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” by Lewis Carroll
- “Charlie and the Chocolate factory,” by Roald Dahl
- “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White
- “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” & “Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets,” by J.K. Rowling
- “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis
That’s our list of best-selling picture books of all time! Want more great children’s book recommendations? Check out our post: “Best Picture Books to Read Aloud.”
