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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Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist
Evan Griffith
Illustrator: Joanie Stone
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A nineteenth century woman achieved recognition, studying sea animals in her home-built aquarium and fish cages, laying the foundation for future study. Animated illustrations. Extensive references.
Evan Griffith
Illustrator: Joanie Stone
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A nineteenth century woman achieved recognition, studying sea animals in her home-built aquarium and fish cages, laying the foundation for future study. Animated illustrations. Extensive references.
See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat
David LaRochelle
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
This laugh-out-loud beginning reader depicts a cat subbing in for a dog. Speech bubbles with simple language, perfect timing, and gouache illustrations prompt laughter.
David LaRochelle
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
This laugh-out-loud beginning reader depicts a cat subbing in for a dog. Speech bubbles with simple language, perfect timing, and gouache illustrations prompt laughter.
Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story
Adib Khorram
Illustrator: Zainab Faidhi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Kian and his cat upset the Persian New Year haft-sin table with its seven items. The boy must find new objects. Brightly-colored cartoon-style illustrations. Author's note.
Adib Khorram
Illustrator: Zainab Faidhi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Kian and his cat upset the Persian New Year haft-sin table with its seven items. The boy must find new objects. Brightly-colored cartoon-style illustrations. Author's note.
Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman
Sharice Davids & Nancy K. Mays
Illustrator: Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young member of the Ho-Chunk Nation grows up to become a lawyer and eventually, the first openly LGBTQIA+ Congresswoman from Kansas. Stylized digital illustrations. Back matter.
Sharice Davids & Nancy K. Mays
Illustrator: Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young member of the Ho-Chunk Nation grows up to become a lawyer and eventually, the first openly LGBTQIA+ Congresswoman from Kansas. Stylized digital illustrations. Back matter.
Shark Book, The
Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Introduces 42 sharks offering fascinating tidbits as well as basic facts. Eye-catching, precise, torn-paper collage art. Extensive table of shark facts and index.
Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Introduces 42 sharks offering fascinating tidbits as well as basic facts. Eye-catching, precise, torn-paper collage art. Extensive table of shark facts and index.
She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer
Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Despite a host of obstacles, Williamina persists in her study of stars, becoming the first woman to work at the Harvard College Observatory. Whimsical cartoon-like illustrations.
Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Despite a host of obstacles, Williamina persists in her study of stars, becoming the first woman to work at the Harvard College Observatory. Whimsical cartoon-like illustrations.
Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress
Alicia D. Williams
Illustrator: April Harrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
The Brooklyn-born child of Barbadian parents grows up to be a political trailblazer. Acrylic and mixed-media collage illustrations.
Alicia D. Williams
Illustrator: April Harrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
The Brooklyn-born child of Barbadian parents grows up to be a political trailblazer. Acrylic and mixed-media collage illustrations.
Singer and the Scientist, The
Lisa Rose
Illustrator: Isabel Muñoz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
In 1937, legendary contralto Marian Anderson was denied lodging at a Whites-only hotel. Albert Einstein offered her shelter, thus beginning a long friendship. Vibrant, stylized illustrations. Author's note.
Lisa Rose
Illustrator: Isabel Muñoz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
In 1937, legendary contralto Marian Anderson was denied lodging at a Whites-only hotel. Albert Einstein offered her shelter, thus beginning a long friendship. Vibrant, stylized illustrations. Author's note.
Sing With Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla
Diane López
Illustrator: Teresa Martinez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Overcoming genre, racial, and gender discrimination, a Mexican-American singer learns Spanish to connect with her people, achieving stardom in the Tejano music field. Ilustrations augment biographical details.
Diane López
Illustrator: Teresa Martinez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Overcoming genre, racial, and gender discrimination, a Mexican-American singer learns Spanish to connect with her people, achieving stardom in the Tejano music field. Ilustrations augment biographical details.
Skywatcher
Jamie Hogan
Illustrator: Jamie Hogan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A city-dwelling boy really wants to see the stars he reads about in comic books. Beyond the urban lights, he sees them! Descriptive pastel illustations, useful back matter.
Jamie Hogan
Illustrator: Jamie Hogan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A city-dwelling boy really wants to see the stars he reads about in comic books. Beyond the urban lights, he sees them! Descriptive pastel illustations, useful back matter.
Someone Builds the Dream
Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Detailed, realistic acrylic illustrations and rhymes show the crucial role of skilled workers who execute ideas of scientists, engineers, and also authors and illustrators.
Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Detailed, realistic acrylic illustrations and rhymes show the crucial role of skilled workers who execute ideas of scientists, engineers, and also authors and illustrators.
Something Good
Marcy Campbell
Illustrator: Corinna Luyken
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Students heal from a hate incident through art and poetry, experiencing the power of good and love. Gouache and pencil artwork gently accompanies this actual event.
Marcy Campbell
Illustrator: Corinna Luyken
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Students heal from a hate incident through art and poetry, experiencing the power of good and love. Gouache and pencil artwork gently accompanies this actual event.
Sona Sharma: Very Best Big Sister?
Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Jen Khatun
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Sona's not sure that she can be a good big sister, but her extended family in Chennai, India helps her. Humorous black-and-white, mixed-media illustrations. Glossary.
Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Jen Khatun
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Sona's not sure that she can be a good big sister, but her extended family in Chennai, India helps her. Humorous black-and-white, mixed-media illustrations. Glossary.
Song of Frutas, A
Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Cuban American dreams she helps her grandfather sell fruit in the streets of Havana and wishes for an end to travel restrictions between the countries. Culturally authentic illustrations. Spanish version available.
Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Cuban American dreams she helps her grandfather sell fruit in the streets of Havana and wishes for an end to travel restrictions between the countries. Culturally authentic illustrations. Spanish version available.
Soul Food Sunday
Winsome Bingham
Illustrator: Charles G. Esperanza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A large Black family gathers for an abundance of mouthwatering traditional dishes. With Granny's warm approval, her youngest grandson helps prepare them. Bold color illustrations, rhythmic repetitive text.
Winsome Bingham
Illustrator: Charles G. Esperanza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A large Black family gathers for an abundance of mouthwatering traditional dishes. With Granny's warm approval, her youngest grandson helps prepare them. Bold color illustrations, rhythmic repetitive text.
Sour Cherry Tree, The
Naseem Hrab
Illustrator: Nahid Kazemi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young girl wanders through her grandfather's house after his death thinking about all the things that made their relationship special to her. Soft pastel illustrations.
Naseem Hrab
Illustrator: Nahid Kazemi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young girl wanders through her grandfather's house after his death thinking about all the things that made their relationship special to her. Soft pastel illustrations.
So You Want to Be an Owl
Jane Porter
Illustrator: Maddie Frost
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
In ten lessons with humorous illustrations, Professor Olaf teaches how to hoot, hunt, and see in the dark. Back matter.
Jane Porter
Illustrator: Maddie Frost
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
In ten lessons with humorous illustrations, Professor Olaf teaches how to hoot, hunt, and see in the dark. Back matter.
Sprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United States
Louisa Jagger & Shari Becker
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Black boy in Oklahoma proves that barriers needn't stop dreams. His persistence and ingenuity result in a flight from California to NY in 1932. Warm, authentic illustrations.
Louisa Jagger & Shari Becker
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A Black boy in Oklahoma proves that barriers needn't stop dreams. His persistence and ingenuity result in a flight from California to NY in 1932. Warm, authentic illustrations.
Stacey's Extraordinary Words
Stacey Abrams
Illustrator: Kitt Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Leading voting rights activist tells the story of how learning new words became her power. Bold, vibrant digital illustrations.
Stacey Abrams
Illustrator: Kitt Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Leading voting rights activist tells the story of how learning new words became her power. Bold, vibrant digital illustrations.
Star of the Party: The Solar System Celebrates!
Jan Carr
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
The planets' witty banter planning for Sun's 2.6 billionth birthday, while orbiting in colorful party attire, is studded with stellar and planetary facts.
Jan Carr
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
The planets' witty banter planning for Sun's 2.6 billionth birthday, while orbiting in colorful party attire, is studded with stellar and planetary facts.
Stitch by Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to Freedom
Connie Schofield-Morrison
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
An enslaved woman who is also a gifted needleworker purchases her freedom and ultimately becomes Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker. Mixed-media illustrations including oil paint, fabric, embroidery and applique.
Connie Schofield-Morrison
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
An enslaved woman who is also a gifted needleworker purchases her freedom and ultimately becomes Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker. Mixed-media illustrations including oil paint, fabric, embroidery and applique.
Story of Bodri, The
Hédi Fried
Illustrator: Stina Wirsén
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Evocative watercolors heighten the poignancy of this memoir, wherein a Hungarian Jewish girl and her sister survive Nazi death camps to find that their dog has waited for them.
Hédi Fried
Illustrator: Stina Wirsén
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Evocative watercolors heighten the poignancy of this memoir, wherein a Hungarian Jewish girl and her sister survive Nazi death camps to find that their dog has waited for them.
Summertime Sleepers: Animals that Estivate
Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Realistic watercolors on double-page spreads with informational inserts, introduce animals who slumber through hot dry weather. Additional information. Notes, sources.
Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Realistic watercolors on double-page spreads with informational inserts, introduce animals who slumber through hot dry weather. Additional information. Notes, sources.
Sunrise Summer
Matthew Swanson
Illustrator: Robbi Behr
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young girl travels 4,000 miles to Alaska with her family to spend the summer crewing on a fishing boat. Vibrant, detailed, mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Matthew Swanson
Illustrator: Robbi Behr
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A young girl travels 4,000 miles to Alaska with her family to spend the summer crewing on a fishing boat. Vibrant, detailed, mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Survivor Tree
Marcie Colleen
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Gentle language and delicate watercolor illustrations memorialize the 9/11 tragedy while telling the true story of the Callery pear tree that has come to symbolize hope and resilience.
Marcie Colleen
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Gentle language and delicate watercolor illustrations memorialize the 9/11 tragedy while telling the true story of the Callery pear tree that has come to symbolize hope and resilience.