Check out these popular children’s picture books!
There’s nothing like snuggling up with your little one and enjoying an illustrated story together. Plus it’s never too early to use this bonding time to get young children hooked on books and the benefits of picture books in particular are well documented. So we pulled together some of our faves that you can enjoy both on and off our platform. Take a look at some of the most popular kids’ books below.
Popular Children’s Picture Books on Epic
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.
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.
Clifford the Big Red Dog (Audiobook)
By Norman Bridwell
Ages: 4-8
Emily Elizabeth has a very unusual pet. Her dog, Clifford, is not only the biggest dog on the block—he’s a giant. Parents in their 30s and 40s will likely recognize Clifford and his silly, bumbling antics. And the lessons still ring true since this first installment was written in the 1960s.
Your kid can follow along to their copy of this popular classic with this audio version!
Goodnight Moon
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 his socks, to the mittens and the kittens.
With its melodic word sequences and gentle imagery, this beautiful book has lulled generations of sleepy tots to sleep. This classic bestseller is the perfect first book and bedtime story for your young reader or pre-reader.
Once Before Time: Cinderella Rex
Written by: Christy Webster
Illustrated byL Holly Hatam
Ages: 4 & Under
Once Before Time from Epic Originals is a playful board book series of fairy tales reimagined from a time long ago… with dinosaurs!
In this prehistoric Read-To-Me version of the classic folktale, Cinderella Rex wants to go to the ball, but her stompmother and stompsisters make her clean up after them instead. With some help from her Fairy Triceratops, Cinderella Rex figures out how to dance her way to living happily ever after.
You can also get the board book on Amazon!
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 sweetly depicts a child’s wonder through Peter’s adventures through the snow, and is the perfect read under the covers with a cup of cocoa a cold winter day.
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.
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.
Other Recommendations
Looking for some titles available off our platform? Here are a few other popular children’s picture books, all of which you can find on Amazon.
Corduroy
By: Don Freeman
In this time-honored staple of children’s literature, a little bear named Corduroy has been on the store shelf for a long time. He meets a little girl named Lisa, who 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.
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Written by: Judi Barrett
Illustrated by: Ronald Barrett
This popular book inspired a hit movie! In the little town of Chewandswallow, three times a day the people who live there experience an odd phenomenon: Whether it rains or snows, there’s never actual rain or snow. Instead, soup, juice, mashed potatoes and storms of hamburgers fall from the sky. This makes for a delicious life until the weather takes a bad turn, and something must be done.
Crown: An Ode the the Fresh Cut
Written by: Derrick Barnes
Illustrated by: Gordon C. James
“A fresh cut makes boys fly.” This award-winning, Newbery and Caldecott Honor book takes us to the barbershop, where the magic happens for young Black boys. This rhythmic, spirited read-aloud celebrates the self-esteem and confidence that Black boys feel after a fresh haircut, and how much more aware they become of the great things that can happen when they look and feel their best.
For other inspiring own-voices picture books, here are 20 amazing titles you can find on Epic.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
By: Mo Willems
From the brilliant creator behind “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and many other laugh-out-loud titles in this lesson-laden series comes “Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late.” This time, as the bus driver gets ready for bed he begs young readers NOT to let the pigeon stay up. Of course the pigeon tries to talk his way into getting his way (“I hear there’s a good show about birds on TV tonight,” he says). His efforts mirror the antics little ones use to try to get out of bedtime, until he finally falls asleep.
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 spiritedly read out loud 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.
The Gruffalo
Written by: Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler
This brightly illustrated book follows a little mouse as he encounters first a hungry fox, then an owl and a snake in the deep, dark woods. Knowing he could become a meal, the mouse invents a monster he calls the gruffalo to scare them off. He cleverly describes the gruffalo’s terrible claws, tusks and jaws, knobbly knees, turned-out toes, and other frightful features. But imagine his surprise when he meets a real gruffalo.
The Old Truck
Written by: Jerome Pumphrey
Illustrated by: Jarrett Pumphrey
After years of working tirelessly on a busy farm, an old truck sits rusting in the weeds. But a little girl dreams of ways to bring the hard-working hauler back to life, and decides it’s time to roll up her sleeves to take action. This beautiful, intricately designed picture book celebrates the power of imagination and the rewards of determination and hard work.
That’s our list of most popular children’s picture books! Want more? You can find more must-read children’s books in our posts: “Best Picture Books to Read Aloud” and “Our Favorite Classic Picture Books.“
