Children's books about ambition
Books in the library where ambition is a central thread — a substantial shelf of 47 titles. Picture-book gateways for the youngest readers, chapter-book exploration for older children, ranked here by how widely each is known and loved.
Picture book
The Bear and the Piano
by David Litchfield · age 4–7
Picture book
Picture book
How to Catch a Star
by Oliver Jeffers · age 3–7
Picture book
Picture book
Maybe
by Kobi Yamada · age 4–9
Picture book
Picture book
The Big Cheese
by Jory John · age 4–8
Picture book
Picture book
The Incredible Book Eating Boy
by Oliver Jeffers · age 4–7
Picture book
Graphic novel
Warriors Graphic Novel: The Prophecies Begin, Part Three of Three
by Erin Hunter · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Picture book
Leila, the Perfect Witch
by Flavia Z. Drago · age 3–6
Picture book
Picture book
Lights on Cotton Rock
by David Litchfield · age 4–8
Picture book
Illustrated
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde
by Jeff Kinney · age 8–12
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose
by Dav Pilkey · age 6–10
Graphic novel
Chapter book
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat
by Ursula Moray Williams · age 6–9
Chapter book
Graphic novel
Bog Myrtle
by Sid Sharp · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Kitty Quest
by Phil Corbett · age 7–10
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea
by Ann M. Martin · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Barry Loser and the Birthday Billions
by Jim Smith · age 7–10
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Click: Act
by Kayla Miller · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Dave Pigeon (Racer!)
by Swapna Haddow · age 6–9
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Pizza and Taco: Go Viral!
by Stephen Shaskan · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Roller Girl
by Victoria Jamieson · age 9–13
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Sunny Makes Her Case
by Jennifer L. Holm · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Picture book
What Do You Do With a Chance?
by Kobi Yamada · age 4–8
Picture book
Graphic novel
Alan, King of the Universe
by Tom McLaughlin · age 7–11
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Blue, Barry & Pancakes 3: Mount Choco Meltdown
by Dan Abdo · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Blue, Barry & Pancakes 6: Mayhem on Wheels
by Dan Abdo · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Picture book
The Bear, the Piano and Little Bear's Concert
by David Litchfield · age 4–7
Picture book
Picture book
The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle
by David Litchfield · age 4–7
Picture book
Picture book
Trying
by Kobi Yamada · age 5–10
Picture book
Picture book
Best Thing Ever!
by Beatrice Alemagna · age 3–7
Picture book
Illustrated
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down
by Jeff Kinney · age 8–12
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Bird & Squirrel All or Nothing
by James Burks · age 6–9
Graphic novel
Chapter book
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods
by Rick Riordan · age 9–13
Chapter book
Illustrated
Barry Loser is the Best at Football NOT!
by Jim Smith · age 7–10
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Besties: Work It Out
by Kayla Miller · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Picture book
The Smart Cookie
by Jory John · age 4–8
Picture book
Illustrated
Croaky: Quest for the Legendary Berry
by Matty Long · age 5–8
Illustrated
Illustrated
Dungeon Runners: Sky Battles
by Kieran Larwood · age 7–9
Illustrated
Illustrated
Gordon Wins It All
by Alex Latimer · age 5–8
Illustrated
Illustrated
Dave Pigeon (Nuggets!)
by Swapna Haddow · age 6–9
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Batcat: Cooking Contest!
by Meggie Ramm · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney · age 7–12
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Pizza and Taco: Rock Out!
by Stephen Shaskan · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Non-fiction
A Day in the Life of Fossils, Fire and Other Fantastic Finds
by Mike Barfield · age 7–11
Non-fiction
Non-fiction
A Day in the Life of an Astronaut, Mars and the Distant Stars
by Mike Barfield · age 7–11
Non-fiction
Graphic novel
Donut Squad: Take Over the World!
by Neill Cameron · age 7–10
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Kid Spy: Mac Cracks the Code
by Mac Barnett · age 6–10
Illustrated
Illustrated
Kid Spy: The Sound of Danger
by Mac Barnett · age 6–10
Illustrated
Picture book
Stuck
by Oliver Jeffers · age 3–6
Picture book