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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Boy Named Isamu, A: A Story of Isamu Noguchi
James Yang
Illustrator: James Yang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A quiet, artistic boy explores the materials in his Japanese environment - wood, paper lanterns, leaves, grass and rocks - and his creative thoughts percolate. Evocative digital illustrations. Author's note.
James Yang
Illustrator: James Yang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A quiet, artistic boy explores the materials in his Japanese environment - wood, paper lanterns, leaves, grass and rocks - and his creative thoughts percolate. Evocative digital illustrations. Author's note.
Boy Whose Head Was Filled with Stars, The: A Story About Edwin Hubble
Isabelle Marinov
Illustrator: Deborah Marcero
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Despite his father's disapproval, Hubble became an astronomer seeking to understand the universe and discovered that the Andromeda nebula was a galaxy. Limited color palette with spots of light. Extensive back matter.
Isabelle Marinov
Illustrator: Deborah Marcero
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Despite his father's disapproval, Hubble became an astronomer seeking to understand the universe and discovered that the Andromeda nebula was a galaxy. Limited color palette with spots of light. Extensive back matter.
Bright Star
Yuyi Morales
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A doe teaches her fawn about the wonders and dangers of the world, all the while reminding her that she is loved. Mixed-media illustrations including artisanal work. Available in Spanish.
Yuyi Morales
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A doe teaches her fawn about the wonders and dangers of the world, all the while reminding her that she is loved. Mixed-media illustrations including artisanal work. Available in Spanish.
Butterflies Are Pretty Gross!
Rosemary Mosco
Illustrator: Jacob Souva
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Unusual facts about a variety of butterflies illustrated by humorous digital cartoons.
Rosemary Mosco
Illustrator: Jacob Souva
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Unusual facts about a variety of butterflies illustrated by humorous digital cartoons.
Calvin
J.R. Ford and Vanessa Ford
Illustrator: Kayla Harren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A transgender boy reintroduces himself with his new name to his supportive family, grandparents, and school community despite his initial apprehension. Warm, evocative illustrations.
J.R. Ford and Vanessa Ford
Illustrator: Kayla Harren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A transgender boy reintroduces himself with his new name to his supportive family, grandparents, and school community despite his initial apprehension. Warm, evocative illustrations.
Capybaras, The
Alfredo Soderguit
Illustrator: Alfredo Soderguit
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When hens declare strict rules separating a group of unfamiliar arrivals, a chick and young capybara forge a forbidden friendship. Artwork employing a limited palette.
Alfredo Soderguit
Illustrator: Alfredo Soderguit
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When hens declare strict rules separating a group of unfamiliar arrivals, a chick and young capybara forge a forbidden friendship. Artwork employing a limited palette.
Change Sings: A Children's Anthem
Amanda Gorman
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Lyrical language and detailed, colorful illustrations of diverse children encourage one to embrace change in oneself and one's community.
Amanda Gorman
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Lyrical language and detailed, colorful illustrations of diverse children encourage one to embrace change in oneself and one's community.
Cicadas are Coming!, The: Invasion of the Periodical Cicadas
Doug Wechsler
Illustrator: Doug Wechsler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Spectacular photographs accompany fascinating information about these insects who emerge from the earth every 17 years. Back matter includes additional facts, resources, and a map.
Doug Wechsler
Illustrator: Doug Wechsler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Spectacular photographs accompany fascinating information about these insects who emerge from the earth every 17 years. Back matter includes additional facts, resources, and a map.
Classified: The Secret Career of MARY GOLDA ROSS, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer
Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Natasha Donovan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Drawing on her traditional values throughout her life, a Cherokee girl who loves numbers creates a trail-blazing career. Multimedia illustrations.
Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Natasha Donovan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Drawing on her traditional values throughout her life, a Cherokee girl who loves numbers creates a trail-blazing career. Multimedia illustrations.
Coffee, Rabbit , Snowdrop, Lost
Betina Birkjær
Illustrator: Anna Margrethe Kjærgaard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
First to notice his beloved grandfather's dementia, Miguel attempts to maintain connection. But after a crisis, he and his grandmother become loving caretakers. Mood changing illustrations. Afterword.
Betina Birkjær
Illustrator: Anna Margrethe Kjærgaard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
First to notice his beloved grandfather's dementia, Miguel attempts to maintain connection. But after a crisis, he and his grandmother become loving caretakers. Mood changing illustrations. Afterword.
Coquí in the City
Nomar Perez
Illustrator: Nomar Perez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A boy moves with his family from Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S. and although it is at first difficult finds many similarities to home. Exuberant, detailed illustrations. Available in Spanish.
Nomar Perez
Illustrator: Nomar Perez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A boy moves with his family from Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S. and although it is at first difficult finds many similarities to home. Exuberant, detailed illustrations. Available in Spanish.
Cot in the Living Room, The
Hilda Eunice Burgos
Illustrator: Gaby D'Alessandro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Initially jealous of the children her parents babysit for, overnight in their Washington Heights, NY apartment, a Dominican American girl develops empathy for them. Colorful, digital illustrations.
Hilda Eunice Burgos
Illustrator: Gaby D'Alessandro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Initially jealous of the children her parents babysit for, overnight in their Washington Heights, NY apartment, a Dominican American girl develops empathy for them. Colorful, digital illustrations.
Cougar Crossing: How Hollywood's Celebrity Cougar Helped Build a Bridge for City Wildlife
Meeg Pincus
Illustrator: Alexander Vidal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A cougar, driven from his territory, ends up in a park in LA and inspires his human neighbors to help wildlife endangered by urban expansion. Bold, atmospheric illustrations.
Meeg Pincus
Illustrator: Alexander Vidal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A cougar, driven from his territory, ends up in a park in LA and inspires his human neighbors to help wildlife endangered by urban expansion. Bold, atmospheric illustrations.
Dancing with Daddy
Anitra Rowe Schulte
Illustrator: Ziyue Chen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A father and his daughter, a wheelchair user, joyfully enjoy a school dance. Digital artwork realistically portrays a loving family. meeting challenges
Anitra Rowe Schulte
Illustrator: Ziyue Chen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A father and his daughter, a wheelchair user, joyfully enjoy a school dance. Digital artwork realistically portrays a loving family. meeting challenges
Day for Rememberin', A: Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day
Leah Henderson
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young boy describes the Decoration Day tribute paid to fallen Union soldiers by his Charleston South Carolina, community of formerly enslaved people. Poignant painterly illustrations.
Leah Henderson
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young boy describes the Decoration Day tribute paid to fallen Union soldiers by his Charleston South Carolina, community of formerly enslaved people. Poignant painterly illustrations.
Dear Mr. Dickens
Nancy Churnin
Illustrator: Bethany Stancliffe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Victorian Englishwoman asks the famous author to confront his anti-Semitism, and her persistence convinces him to change his attitudes and writing. Painterly illustrations. Sources, author's notes.
Nancy Churnin
Illustrator: Bethany Stancliffe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Victorian Englishwoman asks the famous author to confront his anti-Semitism, and her persistence convinces him to change his attitudes and writing. Painterly illustrations. Sources, author's notes.
Dear Treefrog
Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A treefrog grows throughout the changing seasons as a lonely girl addresses her kindred spirit in lyrical, metaphorical free verse. Lush, verdant illustrations.
Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A treefrog grows throughout the changing seasons as a lonely girl addresses her kindred spirit in lyrical, metaphorical free verse. Lush, verdant illustrations.
Dinosaur Named Ruth, A: How Ruth Mason Discovered Fossils in Her Own Backyard
Julia Lyon
Illustrator: Alexandra Bye
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Colorful digital illustrations capture a young girl's determination to establish that bones found on her family farm were a link to the creatures that once roamed there.
Julia Lyon
Illustrator: Alexandra Bye
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Colorful digital illustrations capture a young girl's determination to establish that bones found on her family farm were a link to the creatures that once roamed there.
Dreams for a Daughter
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Black mother voices her love, hopes and dreams for her daughter. Watercolor, gouache and India ink illustrations with a great sense of movement and color.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Black mother voices her love, hopes and dreams for her daughter. Watercolor, gouache and India ink illustrations with a great sense of movement and color.
Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America's Doctor
Kate Messner
Illustrator: Alexandra Bye
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Always following his father's advice, Anthony carefully worked out how to achieve his research goals, including how to make sick people better. Colorful digital illustrations.
Kate Messner
Illustrator: Alexandra Bye
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Always following his father's advice, Anthony carefully worked out how to achieve his research goals, including how to make sick people better. Colorful digital illustrations.
Dumplings for Lili
Melissa Iwai
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When all the grandmothers in Lili's building making dumplings run out of an ingredient, Lili runs around borrowing and delivering the one needed. Color cartoon-style illustrations.
Melissa Iwai
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When all the grandmothers in Lili's building making dumplings run out of an ingredient, Lili runs around borrowing and delivering the one needed. Color cartoon-style illustrations.
Electric Slide and Kai, The
Kelly J. Baptist
Illustrator: Darnell Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Multigenerational African American families, including supportive male role models, experience joy and dance moves together. Lively digital illustrations.
Kelly J. Baptist
Illustrator: Darnell Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Multigenerational African American families, including supportive male role models, experience joy and dance moves together. Lively digital illustrations.
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
An Asian American girl celebrates the shape of her eyes that connect her to her family, her heritage, and her culture. Boldly colored Asian-inspired digital illustrations.
Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
An Asian American girl celebrates the shape of her eyes that connect her to her family, her heritage, and her culture. Boldly colored Asian-inspired digital illustrations.
Facing Fear: An Immigration Story
Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Because of dangers for his family from immigration authorities, Enrique struggles with his desire to play in his soccer tournament. Colorful, bright illustrations convey a range of emotions.
Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Because of dangers for his family from immigration authorities, Enrique struggles with his desire to play in his soccer tournament. Colorful, bright illustrations convey a range of emotions.
Faraway Things
Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Young Lucian's discovery of a cutlass washed up on the seashore heralds a mysterious encounter and a moment of personal growth. Soft, mixed-media illustrations.
Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Young Lucian's discovery of a cutlass washed up on the seashore heralds a mysterious encounter and a moment of personal growth. Soft, mixed-media illustrations.