The school year is ending soon – a good time to take a look at the most popular books in our K-4 school library.

Today – picture books.

I did something with this list – I excluded all series books (there is one sequel on here, though). Why? Because if I didn’t, the thing would be dominated by Pete the Cat.

And you already know Pete’s popular.

On to the list!

T6. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Shout out to my students! You’re makin’ me proud here. A classic case of “I knew this was getting checked out, but didn’t think it would end up among the most checked out of the year”. Cool to see.

T6. Lovey Bunny by Kristine A. Lombardi

This one had two things going for it that propelled it to this slot – a cover that no lower elementary bunny enthusiast can resist, and the fact that it was a read-aloud this school year. Kids always want to re-read the read alouds.

T6. Sparky! by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Chris Appelhans

This is a great book. We also have a cardboard standee of this book in our library, which helps direct consistent traffic to this great book.

T6. Let’s Play! by Hervé Tullet

T6. Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet

These two books (and also Press Here) are checked out constantly. They’re some of the few picture books that students ask for by name – getting an “ask for by name” by a 5 year old is a big deal.

T4. Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library! by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter, illustrated by Steve James

Not sure why this one is popular.

*Ring* *Ring*

Oh, excuse me, I need to take this

*Muffled Talking*

Yes. Mmm hmm. I see.

This person who just called me says it’s because of the huge smiling kitten on the middle of the cover.

Lesson: Cute > Everything

T4. The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

A couple years after coming out and this book is going strong. It’s funny. It’s different. It is a memorable experience in book form.

3. The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Since this isn’t exactly a series book, I decided to include it. All the students who’ve been checking out The Day the Crayons Quit (and it is a lot of students) helped to put this in the number three slot.

2. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

No surprise at all to see this book on the list – it’s become one of those books that the whole school seems to know and love. If it gets put on the shelf face out, no way that thing makes it through the next class without getting picked.

1. Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, illustrated by Ed Young

It’s really crazy how often this book pops up on this blog – usually on these most popular books of the year lists. Let’s check last year – yep, it was on that one. The year before? Yes. Somehow the thing has managed to pick up steam.