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/.
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Walking Home to Rosie Lee
by A. LaFaye
Illustrator: Keith D. Shepherd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
With the Civil War over, Gabe uses his new won freedom to search for his Mama who had been traded from the plantation before the war's end. Evocative paintings.
by A. LaFaye
Illustrator: Keith D. Shepherd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
With the Civil War over, Gabe uses his new won freedom to search for his Mama who had been traded from the plantation before the war's end. Evocative paintings.
Warduff and the Corncob Caper
written and illustrated by Mat Head
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A clever cat devises a plan to save the farmyard animals from a fox. Bold, colorful illustrations explain the trick.
written and illustrated by Mat Head
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A clever cat devises a plan to save the farmyard animals from a fox. Bold, colorful illustrations explain the trick.
Watch Me Grow!
by Deborah Hodge
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Not all vegetables come from country farms. From windowsills to vacant city lots, opportunities abound for growing food to enjoy and share. Colorful photographs.
by Deborah Hodge
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Not all vegetables come from country farms. From windowsills to vacant city lots, opportunities abound for growing food to enjoy and share. Colorful photographs.
When Bob Met Woody
The Story of the Young Bob Dylan
by Gary Golio
Illustrator: Marc Burkhardt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
As Bob Dylan grew up, his music grew with him, but the influence and meeting of Woody Guthrie solidified his direction and career. Acrylic and oil paintings.
by Gary Golio
Illustrator: Marc Burkhardt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
As Bob Dylan grew up, his music grew with him, but the influence and meeting of Woody Guthrie solidified his direction and career. Acrylic and oil paintings.
When I Grow Up
written by Al Yankovic
Illustrator: Wes Hargis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Billy can be anything--or everything--he wants to be. Watercolor illustrations add tothe humor of the text.
written by Al Yankovic
Illustrator: Wes Hargis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Billy can be anything--or everything--he wants to be. Watercolor illustrations add tothe humor of the text.
Who Has These Feet?
by Laura Hulbert
Illustrator: Erik Brooks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
To which animals do these eight pairs of feet belong and why do they look the way they do? the simple text and bold watercolor illustrations provide the answers.
by Laura Hulbert
Illustrator: Erik Brooks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
To which animals do these eight pairs of feet belong and why do they look the way they do? the simple text and bold watercolor illustrations provide the answers.
Why Do I Have to Make My Bed?
by Wade Bradford
Illustrator: Johanna van der Sterre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
This age-old question is finally answered. Watercolors reveal the history.
by Wade Bradford
Illustrator: Johanna van der Sterre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
This age-old question is finally answered. Watercolors reveal the history.
Willow and the Snow Day Dance
written by Denise Brennan-Nelson
Illustrator: Cyd Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Willow makes connections with her new neighbors -- even lonely Mr. Larch
written by Denise Brennan-Nelson
Illustrator: Cyd Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Willow makes connections with her new neighbors -- even lonely Mr. Larch
Won Ton
by Lee Wardlaw
Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A sensitive tale of a stray cat in a shelter who finds a new home. Brilliant gouache and graphite illustrations.
by Lee Wardlaw
Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A sensitive tale of a stray cat in a shelter who finds a new home. Brilliant gouache and graphite illustrations.
Young Fredle
by Cynthia Voigt
Illustrator: Louise Yates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
When Fredle, a young pantry mouse, is pushed out of his home, he finds the outside full of surprises, good and bad. Soft gray and white illustrations.
by Cynthia Voigt
Illustrator: Louise Yates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
When Fredle, a young pantry mouse, is pushed out of his home, he finds the outside full of surprises, good and bad. Soft gray and white illustrations.
A Bedtime for Bear
by Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Because Bear is a very light sleeper, his first overnight guest is really a challenge. Detailed, humorous mixed-media illustrations.
by Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Because Bear is a very light sleeper, his first overnight guest is really a challenge. Detailed, humorous mixed-media illustrations.
Ace Lacewing Bug Detective
written and ill. by David Biedrzycki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Who stole Bugsy's bat? Ace Lacewing, crack detective, is on the case searching Motham City before the big play-off game. Detailed illustrations.
written and ill. by David Biedrzycki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Who stole Bugsy's bat? Ace Lacewing, crack detective, is on the case searching Motham City before the big play-off game. Detailed illustrations.
A Chanukah Noel
by Sharon Jennings
Illustrator: Gillian Newland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young Jewish girl, recently transplanted from Canada to a French village, wants desperately to fit in and celebrate Christmas. Strong, intense illustrations.
by Sharon Jennings
Illustrator: Gillian Newland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young Jewish girl, recently transplanted from Canada to a French village, wants desperately to fit in and celebrate Christmas. Strong, intense illustrations.
Aggie the Brave
by Lori Ries
Illustrator: Frank W. Dormer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Ben is nervous about leaving his dog, Aggie, at the vet's overnight, and takes good care of her when she comes home.
by Lori Ries
Illustrator: Frank W. Dormer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Ben is nervous about leaving his dog, Aggie, at the vet's overnight, and takes good care of her when she comes home.
Anna Hibiscus
by Atinuke
Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Anna lives with her family in Amazing Africa but learns that not everyone is as blessed. Written in the oral tradition by a Nigerian storyteller.
by Atinuke
Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Anna lives with her family in Amazing Africa but learns that not everyone is as blessed. Written in the oral tradition by a Nigerian storyteller.
Anna Maria's Gift
by Janice Shefelman
Illustrator: Robert Papp
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Moving to the Pieta orphanage in Venice with her precious violin, Anna Maria has many adventures -- including studying with a renowned composer.
by Janice Shefelman
Illustrator: Robert Papp
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Moving to the Pieta orphanage in Venice with her precious violin, Anna Maria has many adventures -- including studying with a renowned composer.
Annie and Snowball and the Magical House
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Suçie Stevenson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Annie and her bunny visit her new friend Sarah and create a fairy tea party in her beautiful garden.
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Suçie Stevenson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Annie and her bunny visit her new friend Sarah and create a fairy tea party in her beautiful garden.
A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea
by Michael Ian Black
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
As the dead-pan narrator states “No” Pigs won't march and don't particularly care for literary themed floats. disgustingly realistic paintings.
by Michael Ian Black
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
As the dead-pan narrator states “No” Pigs won't march and don't particularly care for literary themed floats. disgustingly realistic paintings.
A Place Where Hurricanes Happen
by Renée Watson
Illustrator: Shadra Strickland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Realistic watercolor illustrations depict the warm relationship between four friends before and after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans
by Renée Watson
Illustrator: Shadra Strickland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Realistic watercolor illustrations depict the warm relationship between four friends before and after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans
April and Esme
written and ill. by Bob Graham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Two of the youngest and most modern fairies take their first trip to collect a boy's tooth and make it back home successfully. Whimsical watercolors.
written and ill. by Bob Graham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Two of the youngest and most modern fairies take their first trip to collect a boy's tooth and make it back home successfully. Whimsical watercolors.
Art and Max
written and ill. by David Wiesner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Two reptilian friends take readers on a highly imaginative, thought-provoking, artistic adventure.
written and ill. by David Wiesner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Two reptilian friends take readers on a highly imaginative, thought-provoking, artistic adventure.
Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies
by Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Ferocious giant bunnies land their spaceship at a camp where twins Kevin and Joules must save the planet from them. Black and white illustrations.
by Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Ferocious giant bunnies land their spaceship at a camp where twins Kevin and Joules must save the planet from them. Black and white illustrations.
Back of the Bus
by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Poetically told with rich, luminous oil paintings, a fictional young boy experiences the day when Rosa Parks refuses to move to the back of the bus.
by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Poetically told with rich, luminous oil paintings, a fictional young boy experiences the day when Rosa Parks refuses to move to the back of the bus.
Bag in the Wind
by Ted Kooser
Illustrator: Barry Root
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A plastic bag in a landfill is transported by wind and people and reused in many different ways in this story with an ecological message. Soft watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by Ted Kooser
Illustrator: Barry Root
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A plastic bag in a landfill is transported by wind and people and reused in many different ways in this story with an ecological message. Soft watercolor and gouache illustrations.