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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Tide Pool Waits, The
Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Myriad inhabitants of a coastal tide pool adapt to the twice-daily dry periods, awaiting the rush of ocean water at high tide. Vibrant illustrations. Comprehensive back matter.
Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Myriad inhabitants of a coastal tide pool adapt to the twice-daily dry periods, awaiting the rush of ocean water at high tide. Vibrant illustrations. Comprehensive back matter.
Told and Retold: Around the World with Aesop's Fables
Holly Berry
Illustrator: Holly Berry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Collaged linoleum block prints on colored paper support and extend "The Ants and the Grasshopper," "The Lion and the Mouse," and other tales collected from many regions.
Holly Berry
Illustrator: Holly Berry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Collaged linoleum block prints on colored paper support and extend "The Ants and the Grasshopper," "The Lion and the Mouse," and other tales collected from many regions.
Too Pig to Fail (A Batpig Book series)
Rob Harrell
Illustrator: Rob Harrell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With his sidekicks and quick wits, Batpig faces new villains! Colorful cartoon illustrations.
Rob Harrell
Illustrator: Rob Harrell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With his sidekicks and quick wits, Batpig faces new villains! Colorful cartoon illustrations.
Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls (Too Small Tola series)
Atinuke
Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Tola is a great help to her family in Lagos, Nigeria, because although she's small, her wits and determination aren't. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
Atinuke
Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Tola is a great help to her family in Lagos, Nigeria, because although she's small, her wits and determination aren't. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
Treasure Box, The
Dave Keane
Illustrator: Rahele Jomepour Bell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Colorful realistic illustrations -- scanned handmade textures digitally collaged -- and simple text depict the special bond between a young girl and her grandparents.
Dave Keane
Illustrator: Rahele Jomepour Bell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Colorful realistic illustrations -- scanned handmade textures digitally collaged -- and simple text depict the special bond between a young girl and her grandparents.
Tree of Hope, The: The Miraculous Rescue of Puerto Rico's Beloved Banyan
Anna Orenstein-Cardona
Illustrator: Juan Manuel Moreno
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A beloved, ancient tree is brought back to life by the people of San Juan after Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico in 2017. Realistic illustrations.
Anna Orenstein-Cardona
Illustrator: Juan Manuel Moreno
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A beloved, ancient tree is brought back to life by the people of San Juan after Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico in 2017. Realistic illustrations.
Tunnel, The
Sarah Howden
Illustrator: Erika Rodriguez Medina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young boy's sorrow is rendered in mostly greyscale illustrations and poignantly simple text, showing how healing is incremental and different for everyone.
Sarah Howden
Illustrator: Erika Rodriguez Medina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young boy's sorrow is rendered in mostly greyscale illustrations and poignantly simple text, showing how healing is incremental and different for everyone.
Uncle John's City Garden
Bernette G. Ford
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Having permission to garden a city lot, Uncle John's two nieces and nephew help him there, from plowing and planting to harvesting and eating. Oil and spray-painted illustrations.
Bernette G. Ford
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Having permission to garden a city lot, Uncle John's two nieces and nephew help him there, from plowing and planting to harvesting and eating. Oil and spray-painted illustrations.
Walter Had a Best Friend
Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Walter and Xavier are best friends until one day Xavier finds a new pal. Will Walter find a new best friend, too? Subtle pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Walter and Xavier are best friends until one day Xavier finds a new pal. Will Walter find a new best friend, too? Subtle pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Warbler's Journey, A
Scott Weidensaul
Illustrator: Nancy Lane
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Join a tiny bird on a perilous 4,000-mile migratory trip to a nesting ground. Detailed, realistic oil illustrations. Back matter includes practical ways to protect the avian world.
Scott Weidensaul
Illustrator: Nancy Lane
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Join a tiny bird on a perilous 4,000-mile migratory trip to a nesting ground. Detailed, realistic oil illustrations. Back matter includes practical ways to protect the avian world.
We Play Soccer/ Jugamos al Fútbol (My Friend/ Mi Amigo series)
René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Nomar Perez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
English-speaking Joe and Spanish-speaking José converse with one another as they enjoy their soccer game. The bilingual text supports learning words in each language. Bold, colorful illustrations.
René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Nomar Perez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
English-speaking Joe and Spanish-speaking José converse with one another as they enjoy their soccer game. The bilingual text supports learning words in each language. Bold, colorful illustrations.
What a Shell Can Tell
Helen Scales
Illustrator: Sonia Pulido
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Observing the color, texture, and shape of sea and land shells reveals a wealth of information about them and the creatures that live inside them. Detailed illustrations. Back matter.
Helen Scales
Illustrator: Sonia Pulido
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Observing the color, texture, and shape of sea and land shells reveals a wealth of information about them and the creatures that live inside them. Detailed illustrations. Back matter.
What's That Smell? (Super Gross series)
Ximena Hastings
Illustrator: Alison Hawkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Dr. Ick and his dog, Sam, explore many gross odors from nature and our bodies. Activity provided. Cartoon style illustrations and some photographs.
Ximena Hastings
Illustrator: Alison Hawkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Dr. Ick and his dog, Sam, explore many gross odors from nature and our bodies. Activity provided. Cartoon style illustrations and some photographs.
Wheels!: All about Transport
Moira Butterfield
Illustrator: Bryony Clarkson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Cars, tractors, and myriad other vehicles serve a multitude of purposes. Colorful realistic illustrations.
Moira Butterfield
Illustrator: Bryony Clarkson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Cars, tractors, and myriad other vehicles serve a multitude of purposes. Colorful realistic illustrations.
When the Wind Came
Jan Andrews
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After a destructive tornado, a family heals together through the power of love. Pencil and paint art supports the emotion of the story.
Jan Andrews
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After a destructive tornado, a family heals together through the power of love. Pencil and paint art supports the emotion of the story.
Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home
Zahra Marwan
Illustrator: Zahra Marwan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When her family must leave Kuwait after her father is declared stateless, a young girl wonders if she will ever find home again. Stylized illustrations. Back matter.
Zahra Marwan
Illustrator: Zahra Marwan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When her family must leave Kuwait after her father is declared stateless, a young girl wonders if she will ever find home again. Stylized illustrations. Back matter.
Witch Hazel
Molly Idle
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With a magical whisk of her broom, elderly Hazel shares years of happy memories with young Hilda. Effervescent fine-line white-on-beige illustrations.
Molly Idle
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With a magical whisk of her broom, elderly Hazel shares years of happy memories with young Hilda. Effervescent fine-line white-on-beige illustrations.
With Lots of Love
Jenny Torres Sanchez
Illustrator: André Ceolin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Rocio moves to the United States, she misses her grandmother, but is thrilled by a wonderful birthday present from Abuela: a star piñata. Vibrant digital illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Jenny Torres Sanchez
Illustrator: André Ceolin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Rocio moves to the United States, she misses her grandmother, but is thrilled by a wonderful birthday present from Abuela: a star piñata. Vibrant digital illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Wolves of Yellowstone, The: A Rewilding Story
Catherine Barr
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When wolves were brought back to Yellowstone Park after an absence of 69 years, the whole balance of nature in the park changed - for the better. Detailed watercolor illustrations.
Catherine Barr
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When wolves were brought back to Yellowstone Park after an absence of 69 years, the whole balance of nature in the park changed - for the better. Detailed watercolor illustrations.
Wolves!: Strange and Wonderful (Strange and Wonderful series)
Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Learnihan Henderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
History and facts about wolves are presented in engaging text. Watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the wolves' movements. Back matter provides extensive resources.
Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Learnihan Henderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
History and facts about wolves are presented in engaging text. Watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the wolves' movements. Back matter provides extensive resources.
Wonderful Hair: The Beauty of Annie Malone
Eve Nadel Catarevas
Illustrator: Felicia Marshall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Annie Malone became the first self-made African American female millionaire by developing and distributing a line of hair and cosmetic products for black women. Richly detailed illustrations. Back matter.
Eve Nadel Catarevas
Illustrator: Felicia Marshall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Annie Malone became the first self-made African American female millionaire by developing and distributing a line of hair and cosmetic products for black women. Richly detailed illustrations. Back matter.
World Belonged to Us, The
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Joyful illustrations capture the energy of 1970s Brooklyn, where children on summer vacation create a model diverse community. Based on the author's reminiscences. Nostalgic and inspirational.
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Joyful illustrations capture the energy of 1970s Brooklyn, where children on summer vacation create a model diverse community. Based on the author's reminiscences. Nostalgic and inspirational.
Year We Learned to Fly, The
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
An African American grandmother advises her grandchildren to learn from their ancestors and use their imaginations to cope with challenges. Colorful mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
An African American grandmother advises her grandchildren to learn from their ancestors and use their imaginations to cope with challenges. Colorful mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country
Kelly Yang
Illustrator: various artists
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The accomplishments and contributions of Kamala Harris, I. M. Pei, Yo-Yo Ma, and 15 other Asian Americans from the fields of science, the arts, history, and politics are celebrated. Vibrant colorful illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Kelly Yang
Illustrator: various artists
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The accomplishments and contributions of Kamala Harris, I. M. Pei, Yo-Yo Ma, and 15 other Asian Americans from the fields of science, the arts, history, and politics are celebrated. Vibrant colorful illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home
Lindsay Moore
Illustrator: Lindsay Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Using a tracking tag, scientists follow the journey of Yoshi, a loggerhead turtle, from a South African aquarium to her home in Australia. Detailed back matter. Watercolor illustrations.
Lindsay Moore
Illustrator: Lindsay Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Using a tracking tag, scientists follow the journey of Yoshi, a loggerhead turtle, from a South African aquarium to her home in Australia. Detailed back matter. Watercolor illustrations.