Welcome to the Bank Street Children's Book Committee's (CBC) Searchable Best Books List, a tool designed to help educators, families, librarians, and others access developmentally appropriate and engaging books for young readers (ages birth - 18).
Our online Searchable Best Books List draws from the committee's annual Best Children's Books of the Year-beginning with the list of books published in 2000-with each featuring more than 600 high-quality titles for young readers.
To share feedback about the tool, please feel free to email bookcom@bankstreet.edu. To learn more about the CBC, visit https://www.bankstreet.edu/cbc/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies: Mystery Goo (Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies series)
Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Beth Mills
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Beatrice, using her detective skills with her sidekick, Nora, discovers the source of a sticky substance on her table, could it become their winning school project? Animated illustrations.
Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Beth Mills
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Beatrice, using her detective skills with her sidekick, Nora, discovers the source of a sticky substance on her table, could it become their winning school project? Animated illustrations.
Beauty Woke
NoNieqa Ramos
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Puerto Rican Beauty experiences racism and loses her sense of self-worth, her family steps in to empower her. Bold illustrations. Told in a mix of Spanish and English.
NoNieqa Ramos
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Puerto Rican Beauty experiences racism and loses her sense of self-worth, her family steps in to empower her. Bold illustrations. Told in a mix of Spanish and English.
Because of You, John Lewis: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Keith Henry Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After ten-year-old Tybre Faw's dream of meeting Congressman John Lewis came true, a friendship grew between the young activist and the civil rights leader. Watercolor illustrations accompany the poetic text. Thorough back matter include photographs.
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Keith Henry Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After ten-year-old Tybre Faw's dream of meeting Congressman John Lewis came true, a friendship grew between the young activist and the civil rights leader. Watercolor illustrations accompany the poetic text. Thorough back matter include photographs.
Best Kind of Mooncake, The
Pearl AuYeung
Illustrator: Pearl AuYeung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In Hong Kong, a starving stranger staggers into a family's market stall, and the young girl there gives him her prized mooncake. Will this act of kindness be rewarded? Digital illustrations.
Pearl AuYeung
Illustrator: Pearl AuYeung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In Hong Kong, a starving stranger staggers into a family's market stall, and the young girl there gives him her prized mooncake. Will this act of kindness be rewarded? Digital illustrations.
Big Truck Little Island
Chris Van Dusen
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a big rig carrying a surprise slips off an island's only road, it takes everyone's cooperation to work around the stuck truck. Bright gouache illustrations.
Chris Van Dusen
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a big rig carrying a surprise slips off an island's only road, it takes everyone's cooperation to work around the stuck truck. Bright gouache illustrations.
Billy & Rose: Forever Friends (Billy & Rose series)
Amy Hest
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Billy, an industrious sheep, and Rose, a playful pig, are best buddies who both challenge and inspire each other but always end up compromising. Lively, humorous illustrations.
Amy Hest
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Billy, an industrious sheep, and Rose, a playful pig, are best buddies who both challenge and inspire each other but always end up compromising. Lively, humorous illustrations.
Bird Book, The
Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Torn and cut color paper collages across double page spreads display the avian species' evolution and their anatomical and behavioral similarities and differences as well as their endangerment status. Extensive back matter.
Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Torn and cut color paper collages across double page spreads display the avian species' evolution and their anatomical and behavioral similarities and differences as well as their endangerment status. Extensive back matter.
Bird Coat, The
Inger Marie Kjøldtadmyr
Illustrator: Øyvind Torseter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Flying is Pierre's greatest wish, and wearing the special coat he has fashioned, he dares to spread his "wings" and takes off. This tale, with its predictable solemn ending, is written in a quirky, fantastical manner. Cartoon-like illustrations.
Inger Marie Kjøldtadmyr
Illustrator: Øyvind Torseter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Flying is Pierre's greatest wish, and wearing the special coat he has fashioned, he dares to spread his "wings" and takes off. This tale, with its predictable solemn ending, is written in a quirky, fantastical manner. Cartoon-like illustrations.
Bird Feeder, The
Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A girl places her bird feeder on a tree outside her ailing grandmother's hospice window so they can continue to bird-watch together. Digital illustrations with a calming palette.
Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A girl places her bird feeder on a tree outside her ailing grandmother's hospice window so they can continue to bird-watch together. Digital illustrations with a calming palette.
Black Gold
Laura Obuobi
Illustrator: London Ladd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lyrical text and rich atmospheric collage illustrations celebrate the Universe's love for Black children.
Laura Obuobi
Illustrator: London Ladd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lyrical text and rich atmospheric collage illustrations celebrate the Universe's love for Black children.
Bobby: A Story of Robert F. Kennedy
Deborah Wiles
Illustrator: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The family 'runt' as a youth, Kennedy evolved into an inspirational political figure of the late 1960s. Soft evocative drawings.
Deborah Wiles
Illustrator: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The family 'runt' as a youth, Kennedy evolved into an inspirational political figure of the late 1960s. Soft evocative drawings.
Bok's Giant Leap: One Moon Rock's Journey Through Time and Space
Neil Armstrong (adapted by Grahame Baker Smith)
Illustrator: Grahame Baker Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Neil Armstrong considers the history of Earth and the moon from the point of view of the rock he collected during a lunar mission. Vivid illustrations. Back matter includes archival photos.
Neil Armstrong (adapted by Grahame Baker Smith)
Illustrator: Grahame Baker Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Neil Armstrong considers the history of Earth and the moon from the point of view of the rock he collected during a lunar mission. Vivid illustrations. Back matter includes archival photos.
Boy Who Loved Maps, The
Kari Allen
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a girl requests a map of "the perfect place" from a young mapmaker, he discovers another way to look at the world. Gouache and pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Kari Allen
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a girl requests a map of "the perfect place" from a young mapmaker, he discovers another way to look at the world. Gouache and pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Brown Is Beautiful
Supriya Kelkar
Illustrator: Noor Sofi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A celebration of the color brown in its many shades, as it appears in nature and people. Warm illustrations show a range of skin tones.
Supriya Kelkar
Illustrator: Noor Sofi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A celebration of the color brown in its many shades, as it appears in nature and people. Warm illustrations show a range of skin tones.
Cat Eyes and Dog Whistles: The Five Seven Senses of Humans and Other Animals
Cathy Evans
Illustrator: Becky Thorns
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Clear descriptions and detailed illustrations demonstrate how sensory cells receive information, translate it into electrical signals, and pass it through nerves to the brain. Index and glossary.
Cathy Evans
Illustrator: Becky Thorns
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Clear descriptions and detailed illustrations demonstrate how sensory cells receive information, translate it into electrical signals, and pass it through nerves to the brain. Index and glossary.
Caves
Nell Cross Beckerman
Illustrator: Kalen Chock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Explore the Lascaux Cave, the Glowworm Grotto, and other underground chambers and discover the mysteries inside them. Two-page cinematic illustrations depict subterranean vistas.
Nell Cross Beckerman
Illustrator: Kalen Chock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Explore the Lascaux Cave, the Glowworm Grotto, and other underground chambers and discover the mysteries inside them. Two-page cinematic illustrations depict subterranean vistas.
Celia Planted a Garden: The Story of Celia Thaxter and Her Island Garden
Phyllis Root and Gary D. Schmidt
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Colorful Illustrations gloriously evoke the seacoast setting of the garden created by the 19th-century New England painter and poet. Time line and extensive sourcing.
Phyllis Root and Gary D. Schmidt
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Colorful Illustrations gloriously evoke the seacoast setting of the garden created by the 19th-century New England painter and poet. Time line and extensive sourcing.
Chocolate King, The
Michael Leventhal
Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 1630, Benjamin's Jewish family escapes to France from Spain with only their hot chocolate recipe and some chocolate beans. Detailed color illustrations,
Michael Leventhal
Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 1630, Benjamin's Jewish family escapes to France from Spain with only their hot chocolate recipe and some chocolate beans. Detailed color illustrations,
Christmas Book Flood, The
Emily Kilgore
Illustrator: Kitty Moss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The Icelandic tradition of sharing books with loved ones on Christmas Eve is depicted with fanciful illustrations that lend a touch of magic. Diverse representation. Author's Note.
Emily Kilgore
Illustrator: Kitty Moss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The Icelandic tradition of sharing books with loved ones on Christmas Eve is depicted with fanciful illustrations that lend a touch of magic. Diverse representation. Author's Note.
Climb On!
Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A dad asks, "Are we there yet?" as his energetic daughter leads the way on a tropical forest hike. Includes Creole terms. Vibrant illustrations lend authenticity to the Caribbean setting.
Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A dad asks, "Are we there yet?" as his energetic daughter leads the way on a tropical forest hike. Includes Creole terms. Vibrant illustrations lend authenticity to the Caribbean setting.
Coat, The
Séverine Vidal
Illustrator: Louis Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Elise can't wait to get a coveted hand-me-down red coat. Then she sees a mother and child who have no coats. What to do? Stylized watercolor illustrations.
Séverine Vidal
Illustrator: Louis Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Elise can't wait to get a coveted hand-me-down red coat. Then she sees a mother and child who have no coats. What to do? Stylized watercolor illustrations.
Comet, The
Joe Todd-Stanton
Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nyla mourns her old home when she and her dad move to the city. One night, a comet inspires her to find connections to both places. Richly hued illustrations.
Joe Todd-Stanton
Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nyla mourns her old home when she and her dad move to the city. One night, a comet inspires her to find connections to both places. Richly hued illustrations.
Coquíes Still Sing, The
Karina Nicole González
Illustrator: Krystal Quiles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Category 4 Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the community rebuilt neighborhoods and restored habitats. Vibrant, mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter. Also available in Spanish.
Karina Nicole González
Illustrator: Krystal Quiles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Category 4 Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the community rebuilt neighborhoods and restored habitats. Vibrant, mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter. Also available in Spanish.
Cornbread & Poppy (Cornbread and Poppy series)
Matthew Cordell
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two very different endearing friends have an adventure as winter approaches. Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations add detail to the story.
Matthew Cordell
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two very different endearing friends have an adventure as winter approaches. Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations add detail to the story.
Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems
Betsy Franco
Illustrator: Priscilla Tey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In poetic form, concepts of geometry, arithmetic, and puzzles are playfully woven into the stanzas. Colorful, imaginative gouache illustrations.
Betsy Franco
Illustrator: Priscilla Tey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In poetic form, concepts of geometry, arithmetic, and puzzles are playfully woven into the stanzas. Colorful, imaginative gouache illustrations.