With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
Books and toys both play an essential role in a child's development, but they in the world of retail, they don't always go hand in hand.
Joe Berardoni, owner of Puns Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly Magazine, "We do not sell books at Pun’s as we have a great children’s book store down the street from us." Mary Walsh-Martel, owner of Magical Child in Greenfield, Mass., said they don't sell many books at their store for the same reason.
Luckily this isn't the case for all toy store owners. Though ebooks are increasingly popular, some toy stores are still selling the classics. "In an age of kindles, it is nice to see that people still love to turn the pages, look at the illustrations and read to their children," Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hershey, Pa., told us.
Take a look at all of the Top-10 Books below.
No manufacturer paid to be included in this article. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
Rubber Band Powered Flying Machines by KLUTZ
Everything kids need to fly like a pro, indoors or out. Our three only-from-Klutz, rubber band powered airplanes have been carefully engineered for coolness, from the extra-large Firebird (an impressive 19-inch wingspan), to the acrobatic Lightning Looper (it really loops), to the Shooting Star (which makes such tight turns kids can fly it in the living room). Simple directions explain how to assemble the planes from the included parts and, just as importantly, how to fly them for maximum performance. And by experimenting with the variations in the book, junior aviators will learn basic principles of aerodynamics and physics. — Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a November 2011 survey that Klutz flying books are her best selling flying toy. — In a November 2013 survey, Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthlythat they sell several of these books each month. — In a December 2013 survey three out of 10 retailers said that Klutz made their best-selling books.
Clear directions for ten different kinds of bracelets, with all the colorful floss and beads needed to make them. A built-in clipboard provides the ideal work surface for this craft. — Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in October 2011 that they sell about 8 of these kits each month, making them a best seller in the jewelry and accessories category. — In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, two out of 13 retailers said that Klutz's Friendship Bracelets book was a best selling toy. — In a December 2013 survey three out of 10 retailers said that Klutz made their best-selling books.
More than 60 years old, Margaret Wise Brown’s “Goodnight Moon” continues to lull children to sleep with its gently colored illustrations by Clement Hurd and simple, soothing message. The baby bunny in the story goes to bed, bidding goodnight to all of the things in the bedroom and the familiar view outside the window. — “My classics like ‘Goodnight Moon’” are top sellers in the book category, said Elizabeth Ryan, owner of Tales & Toys in Venice, Calif. — Three of 52 retailers told TDmonthly in November 2008 that “Goodnight Moon” is a best-selling book for them. — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 65 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 7 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Vivid illustrations, stimulates imagination, entertains while teaching values.
Little Nutbrown Hare wants to show Big Nutbrown Hare how much he loves him, but love as big as his is hard to measure. More than 15 million copies of this American Booksellers Book of the Year nominee have been sold. The sturdy board book illustrated by Anita Jeram has 20 pages. “The best book is ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ by Sam McBratney,” owner Shea Schroll of The Name Dropper in Montgomery, Ala., told TDmonthly in regard to expected holiday sales for 2006. Launch date: September 1996. — Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hershey, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.
I Spy: A Book Of Picture Riddles The classic debut title in the national best-selling series! Each rhyming riddle in this bright collection of photographic challenges invites children to find objects hidden throughout thematic pages. "This is a true eye-opener," raved the Los Angeles Times about this California Children's Media Award winner. — Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hershey, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.
"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older, he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave. Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein's moving parable for readers of all ages has offered an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. — Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hershey, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle by PENGUIN GROUP USA
With over 300,000 copies sold since its publication in 1985, The Very Busy Spider is well on its way to becoming a modern classic. Follow an industrious spider as she carefully spins her web. A cow, a pig, and other farm animals want her to play-but a busy spider needs to finish her work, or there'll be no dinner. — Mary Walsh-Martel, owner of Magical Child in Greenfield, Mass., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.
Usborne Wipe Clean Activity Books by USBORNE PUBLISHING
These reusable books introduce the alphabet, letters and first writing skills. Wipe-clean pages and pen offer lots of opportunities for practice. — In a Winter 2012 survey, Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that they sell 20 of this item each month. — Mike Snyder, owner and manager of Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books. — Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Usborne books are a year-round best-seller in the educational category.
INDESTRUCTIBLES: BABY BABBLE by WORKMAN PUBLISHING
Indestructibles are the books built for the way babies read. They are 100 percent baby-proof, chew-proof, rip-proof, and drool-proof. Printed on a unique nontoxic, paperlike material that holds up to anything babies can throw at it—gumming, spilling, dragging across the floor— Indestructibles are the little books that could. They’re indestructible. And if they get dirty, just throw them in the washing machine or dishwasher. Baby Babble is a first vocabulary book, featuring baby at the table: spoon, banana, cheese. Baby at play: blocks, teddy bear. Inside baby’s house: lamp, socks, crib. Outside baby’s window: cloud! — Dan Marshall, co-owner of Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care in St. Paul, Minn., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.
Baby Lit - The Jungle Book by GIBBS SMITH, PUBLISHER
Venture deep into the jungle on an animal-naming safari hunt in Jungle Book: A BabyLit Animals Primer. Spy a sneaky snake, a lazy bear, and a proud panther before roaring like a tiger into the night. Jennifer Adam’s carefully curated quotations provide the best of Rudyard Kipling’s descriptions of Kaa, Baloo, Bagheera, Shere Khan and more while teaching little ones the characteristics of these colorful jungle animals. — Dan Marshall, co-owner of Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care in St. Paul, Minn., told TDmonthlyin a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
