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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Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends
Lee Bennett Hopkins, editor
Illustrator: Lita Judge
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Poetry in various styles, by 14 authors, celebrates people's relationship to the animals in our lives. Sweet mixed-media illustrations..
Lee Bennett Hopkins, editor
Illustrator: Lita Judge
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Poetry in various styles, by 14 authors, celebrates people's relationship to the animals in our lives. Sweet mixed-media illustrations..
Blue Butterfly of Cochin, The
Ariana Mizrahi
Illustrator: Siona Benjamin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
After thousands of years, a Jewish community relocates from Cochin, India, to Israel. Young storyteller Leah details the journey, with a magical component. Vibrant full-page illustrations.
Ariana Mizrahi
Illustrator: Siona Benjamin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
After thousands of years, a Jewish community relocates from Cochin, India, to Israel. Young storyteller Leah details the journey, with a magical component. Vibrant full-page illustrations.
Blue Pickup, The
Natasha Tripplett
Illustrator: Monica Mikai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A Jamaican granddad and his granddaughter bond over caring for a beloved truck that he promises to pass down to her. Bold, colorful illustrations. Based on the author's childhood.
Natasha Tripplett
Illustrator: Monica Mikai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A Jamaican granddad and his granddaughter bond over caring for a beloved truck that he promises to pass down to her. Bold, colorful illustrations. Based on the author's childhood.
Book That Almost Rhymed, The
Omar Abed
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
As a boy attempts to narrate a straightforward fantasy adventure, his sister interrupts with outlandish plot details that subvert his meticulously planned rhymes. Zany digital illustrations.
Omar Abed
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
As a boy attempts to narrate a straightforward fantasy adventure, his sister interrupts with outlandish plot details that subvert his meticulously planned rhymes. Zany digital illustrations.
Book That Can Read Your Mind, The
Marianna Coppo
Illustrator: Marianna Coppo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A rabbit magician predicts which character the reader has chosen from a theater audience. An interactive book with fanciful illustrations drawn in ink and digitally colored.
Marianna Coppo
Illustrator: Marianna Coppo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A rabbit magician predicts which character the reader has chosen from a theater audience. An interactive book with fanciful illustrations drawn in ink and digitally colored.
Born Naughty: My Childhood in China
Jin Wang, with Tony Johnston
Illustrator: Anisi Baigude
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Jin fondly recalls her adventures at home and school when she was eight and living in a mud hut in Inner Mongolia in 1982. Ink and pencil illustrations.
Jin Wang, with Tony Johnston
Illustrator: Anisi Baigude
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Jin fondly recalls her adventures at home and school when she was eight and living in a mud hut in Inner Mongolia in 1982. Ink and pencil illustrations.
Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber
Sarah Albee
Illustrator: Eileen Ryan Ewen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Throughout history, people have observed the amazing properties of a material used for play, clothing, and transportation. Pen and ink and watercolor artwork. Graphics, timeline, author's note.
Sarah Albee
Illustrator: Eileen Ryan Ewen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Throughout history, people have observed the amazing properties of a material used for play, clothing, and transportation. Pen and ink and watercolor artwork. Graphics, timeline, author's note.
Boy Here, Boy There
Chuck Groenink
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A Neanderthal boy leaves his family to explore the world, where he encounters Homo sapiens humans for the first time. Warm, expressive mixed-media and digital art.
Chuck Groenink
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A Neanderthal boy leaves his family to explore the world, where he encounters Homo sapiens humans for the first time. Warm, expressive mixed-media and digital art.
Brave Baby Hummingbird
Sy Montgomery
Illustrator: Tiffany Bozic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Orphaned hummingbirds are rescued and nurtured at a sanctuary where they learn skills necessary for survival in the wild. Strikingly vivid, lifelike illustrations resembling photographs.
Sy Montgomery
Illustrator: Tiffany Bozic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Orphaned hummingbirds are rescued and nurtured at a sanctuary where they learn skills necessary for survival in the wild. Strikingly vivid, lifelike illustrations resembling photographs.
Brown Bears
Dr. Nick Crumpton
Illustrator: Colleen Larmour
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A mother bear and her two cubs emerge from their den, and she teaches them how to survive. Additional explanatory text on each page. Mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
Dr. Nick Crumpton
Illustrator: Colleen Larmour
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A mother bear and her two cubs emerge from their den, and she teaches them how to survive. Additional explanatory text on each page. Mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
Caged
Kao Kalia Yang
Illustrator: Khou Vue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A young Hmong girl shares her challenges and dreams as her family waits for release from a refugee camp. Poetic verse. Evocative digital illustrations.
Kao Kalia Yang
Illustrator: Khou Vue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A young Hmong girl shares her challenges and dreams as her family waits for release from a refugee camp. Poetic verse. Evocative digital illustrations.
Case of the Golden Bone, The (Detective Sweet Pea series)
Sara Varon
Illustrator: Sara Varon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
All the animals in Parkville get along until the town's prized attraction goes missing. Local artist Sweet Pea the dog solves the mystery. Comic-style illustrations.
Sara Varon
Illustrator: Sara Varon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
All the animals in Parkville get along until the town's prized attraction goes missing. Local artist Sweet Pea the dog solves the mystery. Comic-style illustrations.
Cat Who Couldn't Be Bothered, The
Jack Kurland
Illustrator: Jack Kurland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A kitty makes friends and creates a peer group simply by expressing what he really wants. Expressive illustrations.
Jack Kurland
Illustrator: Jack Kurland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A kitty makes friends and creates a peer group simply by expressing what he really wants. Expressive illustrations.
Change Is in the Air: Carbon, Climate, Earth, and Us
Debbie Levy
Illustrator: Alex Boersma
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
There is too much carbon in Earth's atmosphere. Discover why that's dangerous, how it happened, and what can still be done to protect our planet. Detailed pen and digital illustrations.
Debbie Levy
Illustrator: Alex Boersma
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
There is too much carbon in Earth's atmosphere. Discover why that's dangerous, how it happened, and what can still be done to protect our planet. Detailed pen and digital illustrations.
Chang'e on the Moon (Everlasting Tales series)
retold by Katrina Moore
Illustrator: Cornelia Li
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Lyrical rendition of the Chinese legend of Chang'e, the moon goddess who saved her people through self-sacrifice. Vivid illustrations. Author's note
retold by Katrina Moore
Illustrator: Cornelia Li
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Lyrical rendition of the Chinese legend of Chang'e, the moon goddess who saved her people through self-sacrifice. Vivid illustrations. Author's note
Chicken Little and the Very Long Race (The Real Chicken Little Series)
Sam Wedelich
Illustrator: Sam Wedelich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Slow and steady might just be the way for Chicken Little to win the marathon. Humorous illustrations.
Sam Wedelich
Illustrator: Sam Wedelich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Slow and steady might just be the way for Chicken Little to win the marathon. Humorous illustrations.
Chooch Helped
Andrea L. Rogers
Illustrator: Rebecca Lee Kunz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Older sister Sissy gets mad at Chooch every time he tries to help but messes things up. Can she learn to have patience with him? Mixed-media illustrations, Cherokee glossary.
Andrea L. Rogers
Illustrator: Rebecca Lee Kunz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Older sister Sissy gets mad at Chooch every time he tries to help but messes things up. Can she learn to have patience with him? Mixed-media illustrations, Cherokee glossary.
City of Leafcutter Ants: A Sustainable Society of Millions
Amy Hevron
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Energetic text details the lives of the queen ant and myriad workers, including soldiers, foragers, and even pharmacists. Acrylic art on wood and paper, digitally collaged. Back matter.
Amy Hevron
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Energetic text details the lives of the queen ant and myriad workers, including soldiers, foragers, and even pharmacists. Acrylic art on wood and paper, digitally collaged. Back matter.
City Sings Green, The: And Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife
Erica Silverman
Illustrator: Ginnie Hsu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Poetic verse and informational text introduce 11 regionally specific ecological problems endangering species from bees to turtles and describe the efforts to find solutions. Whimsical, scenic illustrations. Back matter.
Erica Silverman
Illustrator: Ginnie Hsu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Poetic verse and informational text introduce 11 regionally specific ecological problems endangering species from bees to turtles and describe the efforts to find solutions. Whimsical, scenic illustrations. Back matter.
Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now!
Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose
Illustrator: Bea Jackson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A brave teenage girl in Montgomery, Alabama. refused to give up her bus seat months before Rosa Parks's better-known protest. Strikingly realistic illustrations accompany a truly inspiring story.
Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose
Illustrator: Bea Jackson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A brave teenage girl in Montgomery, Alabama. refused to give up her bus seat months before Rosa Parks's better-known protest. Strikingly realistic illustrations accompany a truly inspiring story.
Clever Crow
Chris Butterworth
Illustrator: Olivia Lomenech Gill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A guide to the many different types of crafty, playful, intelligent crows and other corvids and how they survive. Rich mixed-media illustrations.
Chris Butterworth
Illustrator: Olivia Lomenech Gill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A guide to the many different types of crafty, playful, intelligent crows and other corvids and how they survive. Rich mixed-media illustrations.
Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku
Curtis Manley
Illustrator: Jennifer K. Mann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Trekking with his family to the peak of South Sister— a volcano in Oregon—a boy describes the natural world he encounters, from wildlife to changing landscapes. Animated childlike illustrations. Back matter.
Curtis Manley
Illustrator: Jennifer K. Mann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Trekking with his family to the peak of South Sister— a volcano in Oregon—a boy describes the natural world he encounters, from wildlife to changing landscapes. Animated childlike illustrations. Back matter.
Danté Plays His Blues
Allen R. Wells
Illustrator: Shamar Knight-Justice
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A Black boy works through severe homesickness when his musician uncles painstakingly teach him how to play the saxophone. Poignant mixed-media/Procreate illustrations.
Allen R. Wells
Illustrator: Shamar Knight-Justice
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A Black boy works through severe homesickness when his musician uncles painstakingly teach him how to play the saxophone. Poignant mixed-media/Procreate illustrations.
Day Madear Voted, The
Wade Hudson
Illustrator: Don Tate
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Two brothers experience their mom's joy when the day that she can exercise her hard-won right to vote has finally arrived. Digital watercolors and mixed media illustrations.
Wade Hudson
Illustrator: Don Tate
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Two brothers experience their mom's joy when the day that she can exercise her hard-won right to vote has finally arrived. Digital watercolors and mixed media illustrations.
Dazzling Zelda: The Story of Fashion Designer Zelda Wynn Valdes
Aura Lewis in collaboration with Farai Simoyi
Illustrator: Aura Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Patching, mending, and stitching were not enough for Zelda. She wanted to design dresses that would complement each of her customers and to mentor other Black designers. Cheerful illustrations and sketches.
Aura Lewis in collaboration with Farai Simoyi
Illustrator: Aura Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Patching, mending, and stitching were not enough for Zelda. She wanted to design dresses that would complement each of her customers and to mentor other Black designers. Cheerful illustrations and sketches.