Looking for independently published children’s books? Every month, we sample books from this growing corner of the publishing industry.
Our weekly self-published bestsellers list is often dominated by the popular genres of romance and erotica. In an effort to help GalleyCat readers find other kinds of independent authors, we will offer regular genre-focused bestseller lists for other kinds of indie writers–we’ve highlighted three top children’s books from three different marketplaces.
If you are an independent author looking for support, check out our free directory of people looking for writers groups.
You can also explore our Free Sites to Promote Your eBook post, How To Sell Your Self-Published Book in Bookstores post and our How to Pitch Your Book to Online Outlets post.
Bestselling Children’s Books by Self-Published Authors for May
Amazon Books
A Charge of Valor by Morgan Rice: “Thor continues on his quest, deeper into the Empire, to retrieve the stolen Destiny Sword and save the Ring. As he and his friends meet unexpected tragedy and lose a member of their close-knit group, Thor and his remaining friends become closer than they ever were, learning that they must face and overcome adversity together.”
Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson: “My name is Chase Cooper, and I’m a 6th grade ninja. It’s my first day at a different school and the only person I know is my cousin, Zoe (but she might be a little too cool for me).”
The Monster That Ate My Socks by A.J. Cosmo: “What happens to all those socks that go missing? Monsters eat them of course! 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will love the easy to understand writing and the colorful illustrations!”
Barnes & Noble Books
A Charge of Valor by Morgan Rice: “Thor continues on his quest, deeper into the Empire, to retrieve the stolen Destiny Sword and save the Ring. As he and his friends meet unexpected tragedy and lose a member of their close-knit group, Thor and his remaining friends become closer than they ever were, learning that they must face and overcome adversity together.”
Maggie and the Perfect Puppy by Courtney Ruffalo: “Maggie is an extremely bright and imaginative 5 1/2 year old (although she tells everyone she meets “I’m practically six”). Maggie wants to imagine a world more fantastic than her own. She wishes for impossible, fairy tale-like experiences but accepts the world as it is.”
Dolphins: Playmates of the Sea by Caitlind Alexander: “Dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean. They have smooth, gray skin. Their skin feels like rubber. The dolphin’s mouth is filled with rows and rows of sharp teeth.”
Smashwords Books
Jocomo by Timothy Cohorst: “In this tale, written entirely in verse for the intermediate to advanced reader, Jocomo’s journey takes him afar, not in a plane, or a train, or a car, to a place where his differences trump “fitting in”, and his talents inspire a Kingdom to grin.”
Paddy Stories by Dawn Haddon: “Sir Paddy, a Westie Knight, lives in a beautiful garden with his trusted stead Lancelot and his squires, 5 silly chicks who love to play tricks which always go wrong. Luckily Commando Kit, a Special Forces elite snail, and his troop of snails help keep the garden running smoothly with some unicorns, and a few other animals.
The Magic Carriage by M. P. Grace: “The Queen’s new carriage, covered in gold and set with diamonds, vanishes. It is whisked into other realms, by supernatural energy. The Little penguins, and their mythological friends face perils dusted with drama and sprinkled with magic, to get the coach safely home to London. The Magic Carriage ventures to times, places and people, with very un-boring history.”
This list was created by collecting the three most popular self-published books in three different marketplaces: the “Children’s Books” Best Sellers list at Amazon, the “Kids & Young Readers” bestsellers at Barnes & Noble and the bestselling “Children’s Books” category at Smashwords.
What do you think? If you believe your book should (or should not) be included in our rankings, feel free to email GalleyCat with your concerns.