Children's Picture Books / Memoir Best Sellers

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Just Ask! comes a sweet and powerful story about being true to yourself and shining your brightest. How will you help people shine? There once was a little girl who grew up in Puerto Rico with an incredible ability—she was able to make everyone around her shine. She listened, she understood, she worked hard, and she brought out the beauty in each person she met. In a story inspired by her mother’s ability to help people see their own brilliance, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor shows readers how helping others shine makes the whole world brighter. With art by award-winning illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara, Just Shine will help readers find their own inner glow—and recognize that glow in those around them.

Former first daughters share intimate stories and reflections from the Texas countryside to the storied halls of the White House and beyond. Born into a political dynasty, Jenna and Barbara Bush grew up in the public eye. As small children, they watched their grandfather become president; just twelve years later they stood by their father's side when he took the same oath. They spent their college years watched over by Secret Service agents and became fodder for the tabloids, with teenage mistakes making national headlines. But the tabloids didn't tell the whole story. In Sisters First, Jenna and Barbara take readers on a revealing, thoughtful, and deeply personal tour behind the scenes of their lives, as they share stories about their family, their unexpected adventures, their loves and losses, and the sisterly bond that means everything to them. "An enjoyably nostalgic scrapbook stocked full of memories from twins born into a political dynasty." —Kirkus Reviews "[A] funny and heartfelt memoir...Readers will be entertained by this charming, wild, and wonderful pair of life stories." —Publishers Weekly

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller! From Ainsley Earhardt, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Take Heart, My Child; The Light Within Me; and I’m So Glad You Were Born and “FOX & Friends” journalist, comes a book celebrating everyday wonders and miracles. Ainsley Earhardt reflects on her experiences as a mother and viewing wonders of the world through a child’s eyes in this stunning follow up to Take Heart, My Child. So often as we race through life, we need the wisdom and perspective of a child to remind us what is important and what should be celebrated and remembered: the everyday joys and miracles and simple pleasures of life. Our children teach us and awaken our own inner child.

Extra! Extra! New York Times bestselling author and Fox News senior correspondent Benjamin Hall reminds readers that we all have the power to make a difference in this heartwarming picture book about a hedgehog tasked with warning the forest about a hungry bear. Hedgehog can’t wait to be big enough to report the news like his dad does. So when he notices that a baby owl has fallen out of a tree and is in serious trouble, Hedgehog doesn’t hesitate to spring into action! But can a little hedgehog like him save the day and warn the forest in time? From award-winning senior correspondent Benjamin Hall, the New York Times bestselling author of Saved and Resolute, comes a heartwarming story, inspired by the toy his daughters gave him to carry whenever he was reporting away from home, about speaking up and daring to make a difference.

Greg Mortenson stumbled, lost and delirious, into a remote Himalayan village after a failed climb up K2. The villagers saved his life, and he vowed to return and build them a school. The remarkable story of his promise kept is now perfect for reading aloud. Told in the voice of Korphe’s children, this story illuminates the humanity and culture of a relevant and distant part of the world in gorgeous collage, while sharing a riveting example of how one person can change thousands of lives.

How many lives can one abandoned kitten touch? This is the heart-warming and unforgettable story of a truly idiosyncratic cat with a strong sense of loyalty and love, and a taste for fast-food. When he was just a few weeks old, Dewey Readmore Books was shoved through the book returns slot of his local library in a sleepy town. Starving, terrified and bruised after being battered by falling books, Dewey curled up into the arms of the library director Vicky. Vicky was a single mother who had escaped a violent husband and was struggling to bring up her little girl Jodi alone. Vicky fell in love with the little bundle of fur in her arms and campaigned to allow Dewey to stay and become the library cat. She didnt know what she was letting herself in for. Deweys arrival transformed Vicky and Jodis lives, as well as the staff at the library and eventually the fortunes of an entire town. Dewey was an instant hit with the library regulars and had an amazing instinct to cuddle up close to visitors that were going through a tough time. Vicky tells the incredible story of one severely disabled, wheelchair bound girl that Dewey took a shine to and how he would climb inside her jacket as she giggled hysterically and her eyes, usually almost catatonic, burst into life. He supervised childrens reading groups and ensured no child felt left out by snuggling into the laps of any outsiders. He was a ball of mischievous energy and relished in turning the hitherto quiet and predictable routines of the library upside down. Dewey became the towns number one attraction and he began regularly appearing in the national and international media. Fans from all over the world visited the small town to pay homage to the world's most beloved cat.

There's a big race on Sunday-- but can a little crocodile triumph? Find out in this Level B story, simple enough for young readers to read on their own. The crocodile is hopeful, but when a bigger, mean crocodile tells him there's no chance, he starts to wonder if he's good enough. But with a little motivation from his friend, and a lot of practice and hard work, he's ready to prove himself when the big race comes around! Using simple text and lots of sight words, Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Betsy Lewin has created a story about determination-- and the importance of support from your friends! The easy-to-read story is accompanied by energetic ink and watercolor illustrations, adding interest and detail to the narrative, showcasing the little crocodile's practice and the shared joy of his triumph. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own! Level B readers feature short sentences with high-frequency words, for kindergarten readers who've mastered Level A and are ready to build more fluency. The illustrations provide clues to word meanings. When you've mastered these simple stories, move on to level C! A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year