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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Miss Rita, Mystery Reader
Sam Donovan and Kristen Wixted
Illustrator: Violet Tobacco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Tori, a nonbinary young child, is excited but feels uncertain while helping their dad, a drag queen, prepare costumes and makeup to be the class mystery reader. Colorful digital illustrations.
Sam Donovan and Kristen Wixted
Illustrator: Violet Tobacco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Tori, a nonbinary young child, is excited but feels uncertain while helping their dad, a drag queen, prepare costumes and makeup to be the class mystery reader. Colorful digital illustrations.
Mister Rogers' Gift of Music
Donna Cangelosi
Illustrator: Amanda Calatzis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The joyful legacy of Fred Rogers' music is brought to life with gentle text and dreamlike mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Donna Cangelosi
Illustrator: Amanda Calatzis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The joyful legacy of Fred Rogers' music is brought to life with gentle text and dreamlike mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Mommy's Hometown
Hope Lim
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The urbanized Korea that a child encounters on his first visit there doesn't match the nostalgic stories his mother has told him. But some things remain the same. Evocative illustrations.
Hope Lim
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The urbanized Korea that a child encounters on his first visit there doesn't match the nostalgic stories his mother has told him. But some things remain the same. Evocative illustrations.
Monsters in a Mess (Red Truck Monsters series)
Candice Ransom
Illustrator: Tyrell Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A messy family cleans up to make room for a pet goldfish. Will their tidy ways continue? Rhyming text. Playful illustrations.
Candice Ransom
Illustrator: Tyrell Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A messy family cleans up to make room for a pet goldfish. Will their tidy ways continue? Rhyming text. Playful illustrations.
Monsters in the Briny
Lynn Becker
Illustrator: Scott Brundage
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Sing along to the sea shanty "Drunken Sailor" as young adventurers strive to survive encounters with various marine creatures. Watercolor illustrations. Sheet music included.
Lynn Becker
Illustrator: Scott Brundage
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Sing along to the sea shanty "Drunken Sailor" as young adventurers strive to survive encounters with various marine creatures. Watercolor illustrations. Sheet music included.
Monsters in the Fog
Ali Bahrampour
Illustrator: Ali Bahrampour
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Things aren't always what they seem! Donkey Hakim perseveres in his journey to visit his friend despite warnings of monsters along the way. Charming pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Ali Bahrampour
Illustrator: Ali Bahrampour
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Things aren't always what they seem! Donkey Hakim perseveres in his journey to visit his friend despite warnings of monsters along the way. Charming pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Mr. McCloskey's Marvelous Mallards: The Making of Make Way For Ducklings
Emma Bland Smith
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After many revisions, a renowned author and illustrator discovered the best way to draw his unforgettable ducklings. Original sketches and humorous colorful illustrations. Includes comments from Jane McCloskey and an author's note.
Emma Bland Smith
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After many revisions, a renowned author and illustrator discovered the best way to draw his unforgettable ducklings. Original sketches and humorous colorful illustrations. Includes comments from Jane McCloskey and an author's note.
Mr. Mintz's Blintzes
Leslie Kimmelman
Illustrator: Esther Hernando
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When beloved Mr. Mintz is injured and can't make his famous blintzes for Shavuot, his neighbors show their gratitude and love for him. Colorful, whimsical illustrations. Recipe included.
Leslie Kimmelman
Illustrator: Esther Hernando
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When beloved Mr. Mintz is injured and can't make his famous blintzes for Shavuot, his neighbors show their gratitude and love for him. Colorful, whimsical illustrations. Recipe included.
My Beautiful Voice
Joseph Coehlo
Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young child, shy, fearful, and silent, finds her poetic voice with the support of her very special teacher. Energetic, vibrant illustrations.
Joseph Coehlo
Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young child, shy, fearful, and silent, finds her poetic voice with the support of her very special teacher. Energetic, vibrant illustrations.
My Big Book of Outdoors
Tim Hopgood
Illustrator: Tim Hopgood
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Enjoy four seasons of information, poetry, activities, and recipes. Colorful, appealing mixed-media illustrations.
Tim Hopgood
Illustrator: Tim Hopgood
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Enjoy four seasons of information, poetry, activities, and recipes. Colorful, appealing mixed-media illustrations.
My Brother Is Away
Sara Greenwood
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A six-year-old girl recounts her anger and confusion over her brother's imprisonment as well as her joy at their reunion. Based on the author's childhood experiences. Genteel Photoshop-rendered graphics.
Sara Greenwood
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A six-year-old girl recounts her anger and confusion over her brother's imprisonment as well as her joy at their reunion. Based on the author's childhood experiences. Genteel Photoshop-rendered graphics.
My Hands Tell A Story
Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrator: Tonya Engel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A little Black girl listens to the stories her grandmother's hands tell as she and her grandmother bake cinnamon bread together. Oil paint illustrations.
Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrator: Tonya Engel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A little Black girl listens to the stories her grandmother's hands tell as she and her grandmother bake cinnamon bread together. Oil paint illustrations.
My Paati's Saris
Jyoti Rajan Gopal
Illustrator: Art Twink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young South Asian Indian child helps their beloved paati (grandmother) prepare for and celebrate a day at the market. Vibrant illustrations.
Jyoti Rajan Gopal
Illustrator: Art Twink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young South Asian Indian child helps their beloved paati (grandmother) prepare for and celebrate a day at the market. Vibrant illustrations.
My Self, Your Self
Esmé Shapiro
Illustrator: Esmé Shapiro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A woodland creature shares the many qualities that make us unique, while appreciating similarities and differences. Question and answer format. Pen, watercolor, and digital illustrations.
Esmé Shapiro
Illustrator: Esmé Shapiro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A woodland creature shares the many qualities that make us unique, while appreciating similarities and differences. Question and answer format. Pen, watercolor, and digital illustrations.
Mystery of the Monarchs, The: How Kids, Teachers, and Butterfly Fans Helped Fred and Norah Urquhart Track the Great Monarch Migration
Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Erika Meza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Scientists led a team, including children and other citizen scientists, to trace the migration patterns of monarchs. Mixed-media illustrations by a Mexican artist. Extensive back matter.
Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Erika Meza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Scientists led a team, including children and other citizen scientists, to trace the migration patterns of monarchs. Mixed-media illustrations by a Mexican artist. Extensive back matter.
Nana, Nenek & Nina
Liza Ferneyhough
Illustrator: Liza Ferneyhough
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nina loves to visit her grandmothers in England and in Malaysia and to experience the differences and similarities between the two places. Warm, mixed media illustrations.
Liza Ferneyhough
Illustrator: Liza Ferneyhough
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nina loves to visit her grandmothers in England and in Malaysia and to experience the differences and similarities between the two places. Warm, mixed media illustrations.
Nellie vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race Around the World
Kate Hannigan
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two late 19th-century female reporters sped around the globe, each determined to complete the journey first. Acrylic inks and colored pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Kate Hannigan
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two late 19th-century female reporters sped around the globe, each determined to complete the journey first. Acrylic inks and colored pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Nervous Nigel
Bethany Christou
Illustrator: Bethany Christou
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Can crocodile Nigel follow his own path without disappointing his family of swimming champions who have entered him in a contest? Colorful mixed-media illustrations humorously encapsulate dialogues.
Bethany Christou
Illustrator: Bethany Christou
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Can crocodile Nigel follow his own path without disappointing his family of swimming champions who have entered him in a contest? Colorful mixed-media illustrations humorously encapsulate dialogues.
Night before the Nutcracker, The (American Ballet Theatre Presents series)
John Robert Allman
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Excitement builds as a diverse cast of child and adult dancers prepare for opening night of a classic holiday ballet. Dreamlike color illustrations. Rhymed text.
John Robert Allman
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Excitement builds as a diverse cast of child and adult dancers prepare for opening night of a classic holiday ballet. Dreamlike color illustrations. Rhymed text.
Notebook Keeper, The: A Story of Kindness from the Border
Stephen Briseño
Illustrator: Magdelena Mora
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A refugee writes down the names of families seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, and a little girl learns kindness can exist anywhere. Mixed-media illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Stephen Briseño
Illustrator: Magdelena Mora
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A refugee writes down the names of families seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, and a little girl learns kindness can exist anywhere. Mixed-media illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Not So Small
Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A powerful message about each person's role in improving the world, both individually and with others. Joyful illustrations depict a diverse community.
Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A powerful message about each person's role in improving the world, both individually and with others. Joyful illustrations depict a diverse community.
One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University
M.O. Yuksel
Illustrator: Mariam Quraishi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 859 CE, an Islamic woman in Morocco created the world's oldest continually functioning university. Watercolor and gouache artwork. Back matter.
M.O. Yuksel
Illustrator: Mariam Quraishi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 859 CE, an Islamic woman in Morocco created the world's oldest continually functioning university. Watercolor and gouache artwork. Back matter.
Only One
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
This clear, succinct narrative introduces the vocabulary of the earth, the skies, and each person's place in this universe. Ink and acrylic paint illustrations.
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
This clear, succinct narrative introduces the vocabulary of the earth, the skies, and each person's place in this universe. Ink and acrylic paint illustrations.
On This Airplane
Lourdes Heuer
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A family emigrates by plane, along with many others who travel for different purposes. Gouache, cut paper and digital illustrations deepen the text.
Lourdes Heuer
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A family emigrates by plane, along with many others who travel for different purposes. Gouache, cut paper and digital illustrations deepen the text.
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth
Alice Faye Duncan
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The history of the end of American slavery is told in the voice of Opal Lee, the grandmother of our newest national holiday, Juneteenth. Digital artwork, back matter, sourcing.
Alice Faye Duncan
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The history of the end of American slavery is told in the voice of Opal Lee, the grandmother of our newest national holiday, Juneteenth. Digital artwork, back matter, sourcing.