Top-10 Most-Wanted Books

By Justina Huddleston
January 2013

^{With additional reporting from Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero}

When TDmonthly Magazine interviewed retailers about their bestselling books, those written for preschoolers came out on top. Tween books were also popular, including the recent published Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney (see our interview) and The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, Book 3) by Rick Riordan.

Find out more about the Top-10 Most-Wanted 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.}

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. 12/4/2012 (MSRP: $7.99; Age: 4 and Up)

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael Kaplan by PENGUIN GROUP USA

When Betty Bunny eats chocolate cake for the first time, she declares, "I am going to marry chocolate cake." She loves it so much that she takes a piece to school with her in her pocket and refuses to eat anything else. Mommy tells Betty that she has to eat healthy food first, and have patience because cake is for dessert, not pockets. But Betty doesn't want to have patience; she wants to have chocolate cake. In this hilarious and spot-on tribute to the chocolate lover (and picky eater) in all of us, a new kindred spirit to Olivia, Eloise, and Ladybug Girl makes her stand.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 25-30 copies of this book each month. 12/4/2012 (MSRP: $16.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader. But Awesome Man also has a secret...Can you guess what it is? The first picture book from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon perfectly captures the fantasy life of young superhero fans. Launch date: September 6, 2011.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this books sells well and is on "constant reorder." 12/4/2012 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 4 and Up)

My Nursery Rhymes Collection by SCHOOL ZONE PUBLISHING CO

My Nursery Rhymes Collection by SCHOOL ZONE PUBLISHING CO This delightfully illustrated nursery rhymes book offers parents and children the joy of reading all the best-loved rhymes, as well as discovering some of the less familiar ones. My Nursery Rhymes Collection is divided into 12 themes, such as farm animals, numbers, and action rhymes — creating shorter sections to suit the attention span of young readers. Settle back together and enjoy all the merry old souls. 184 pages with beautiful, full-color illustrations. Elegant gilded spine and cover highlights. Themed sections for easy reference. Padded hardcover edition.
— 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. 12/4/2012 (Age: 3 and Up)

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur...and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go...someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not! This new take on a fairy-tale classic is so funny and so original—it could only come from the brilliant mind of Mo Willems.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this is one of their best selling books. 12/4/2012 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 4 and Up)

Planets 3D Adventure Kit by POPAR TOYS

Planets 3D Adventure Kit by POPAR TOYS This adventure kit comes included with all the necessary tools to explore the amazing world of Planets 3D. The kit contains a 3D book, 3D cards, magic costume card, software and Popar Reader. Kids will have an unforgettable experience as they magically turn into an astronaut and watch rockets, space probes, rovers, and the international space station leap from the pages or cards. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2012 Best of the Toy Fair - The View; 2012 National Parenting Centers Seal of Approval.
— Fred Rosenberg, owner of Toy on the Park in Kindwood, Texas, told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that augmented reality books by Popar Toys are their bestsellers in the category. 4/27/2012 (MSRP: $40.00; Age: 4 and Up)

Olivia by Ian Falconer by ATHENEUM BOOKS

Olivia by Ian Falconer by ATHENEUM BOOKS Have fun with Olivia...dressing up, singing songs, building sand castles, napping (maybe), dancing, painting on walls and — whew! — going to sleep at last.
— Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that Olivia books are perennial bestsellers. 12/4/2012 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Third Wheel by ABRAMS BOOKS

Love is in the air—but what does that mean for Greg Heffley? A Valentine's Day dance at Greg's middle school has turned his world upside down. As Greg scrambles to find a date, he's worried he'll be left out in the cold on the big night. His best friend, Rowley, doesn't have any prospects either, but that's a small consolation. An unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves Rowley the odd man out. But a lot can happen in one night, and in the end, you never know who's going to be lucky in love. Launch date: November 13, 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— As of 11/19/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 241 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, half of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly said that the Diary of a Wimpy Kids series were their bestselling books.

11/19/2012 (MSRP: $13.95; Age: 8 and Up)

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen by CANDLEWICK PRESS

From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale. When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened...Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale. Launch date: October 2012.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly that This is Not My Hat is a recent bestseller. 12/4/2012 (MSRP: $15.99; Age: 3 and Up)

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, Book 3) by Rick Riordan by HYPERION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven? The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery... With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,072 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that they sell 8 copies of this book each month, making it a best seller in their store. 12/4/2012 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 10 and Up)