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 Quest of Heroes by Morgan Rice: “the epic coming of age story of one special boy, a 14 year old from a small village on the outskirts of the Kingdom of the Ring. The youngest of four, the least favorite of his father, hated by his brothers, Thorgrin senses he is different from the others. He dreams of becoming a great warrior, of joining the King’s men and protecting the Ring from the hordes of creatures on the other side of the Canyon.”
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
The Dig for Kids: Luke Vol. 1 by Patrick Schwenk: “The Dig for Kids is a simple and easy way for parents to study through books of the Bible with their children. The Dig takes the guesswork out of teaching for parents.”
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.”
Professor Cuddlefish Saves the Lagoon by Loren Smith: “Professor Cuddlefish, professor of chemistry, biology, and the geography of coral reefs, has gathered his students for their class at Phylum Molluska University. Two of his students, Zostera and Sepia, are giving presentations on their wonderful ability to change color when graduate students Papuensa and Elegans burst into the classroom with alarming information on the breathable water.”
Is This All I Truly Am? by Paulette Ivy Harris: “Deer One, an orphan fawn, is fostered by a dog family. She has difficulty fitting in with puppies, but she doesn’t know how to be a deer. Confused, Deer One seeks to learn who she truly is and her place in the world. On occasion, everyone asks themselves these basic human questions. This inspirational story presents poignant answers to children in terms they can understand.”
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.
(Image via ginnerobot)