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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All the Birds in the World
David Opie
Illustrator: David Opie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Vibrant illustrations depict the many similarities and differences among birds from all over the world. Where does a kiwi bird fit in? Back matter.
David Opie
Illustrator: David Opie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Vibrant illustrations depict the many similarities and differences among birds from all over the world. Where does a kiwi bird fit in? Back matter.
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
Annette Bay Pimentel
Illustrator: Nabi H. Ali
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Jennifer, a six-year-old with cerebral palsy who experiences daily obstacles to wheelchair access, becomes an unrelenting activist for disability rights. Digitally painted illustrations. Back matter.
Annette Bay Pimentel
Illustrator: Nabi H. Ali
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Jennifer, a six-year-old with cerebral palsy who experiences daily obstacles to wheelchair access, becomes an unrelenting activist for disability rights. Digitally painted illustrations. Back matter.
All-Together Quilt, The
Lizzy Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A diverse and multi-generational community comes together to create a beautiful quilt. A comforting story beautifully illustrated in vivid watercolors and fabric.
Lizzy Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A diverse and multi-generational community comes together to create a beautiful quilt. A comforting story beautifully illustrated in vivid watercolors and fabric.
Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl
Megan Reid
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Born in Harlem in the 1940s, a Black girl broke the racial barriers to become one of the world's greatest tennis champions. Animated expressive illustrations.
Megan Reid
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Born in Harlem in the 1940s, a Black girl broke the racial barriers to become one of the world's greatest tennis champions. Animated expressive illustrations.
Always, Jackie
Ron Rabinovitz & J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: John Thompson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Jackie Robinson responded to a letter from the father of a young fan, and so began a life-long correspondence and friendship. Realistic paintings. Bibliography.
Ron Rabinovitz & J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: John Thompson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Jackie Robinson responded to a letter from the father of a young fan, and so began a life-long correspondence and friendship. Realistic paintings. Bibliography.
Ani's Light
Tanu Shree Singh
Illustrator: Prabhat, Sandhya
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Vibrant illustrations and gentle text seamlessly combine to portray the emotional resilience of a child facing his mother's terminal cancer.
Tanu Shree Singh
Illustrator: Prabhat, Sandhya
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Vibrant illustrations and gentle text seamlessly combine to portray the emotional resilience of a child facing his mother's terminal cancer.
Barnabus Project, The
Eric, Terry, and Devin Fan
Illustrator: Eric, Terry, and Devin Fan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Imprisoned along with other failed pet projects, Barnaby displays the courage and compassion that allow him to fulfill his dream. Gentle, finely detailed digital graphite illustrations.
Eric, Terry, and Devin Fan
Illustrator: Eric, Terry, and Devin Fan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Imprisoned along with other failed pet projects, Barnaby displays the courage and compassion that allow him to fulfill his dream. Gentle, finely detailed digital graphite illustrations.
Bedtime Bonnet
Nancy Redd
Illustrator: Nneka Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The youngest girl in a multi-generational Black family searches for her special bedtime bonnet as she describes the way everyone else cares for their hair. Vibrant illustration.
Nancy Redd
Illustrator: Nneka Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The youngest girl in a multi-generational Black family searches for her special bedtime bonnet as she describes the way everyone else cares for their hair. Vibrant illustration.
Being Frog
written and illustrated by April Pulley Sayre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
What it's like to be a frog is presented with simple descriptions of the frog's life cycle and illustrated with photographs. Author's note elaborates.
written and illustrated by April Pulley Sayre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
What it's like to be a frog is presented with simple descriptions of the frog's life cycle and illustrated with photographs. Author's note elaborates.
Big Papa and the Time Machine
Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In his time machine car, an African American grandfather drives his fearful grandson through his personal landscape of experiences, encouraging bravery and hope. Expressive, uplifting soft mixed-media illustrations.
Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In his time machine car, an African American grandfather drives his fearful grandson through his personal landscape of experiences, encouraging bravery and hope. Expressive, uplifting soft mixed-media illustrations.
Birds (Nature All Round Series)
Pamela Hickman
Illustrator: Carolyn Gavin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Bite-sized, well-organized, and diverse facts highlighted by brilliantly-colored, detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations, include tips and encouragement for potential young birdwatchers. Glossary.
Pamela Hickman
Illustrator: Carolyn Gavin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Bite-sized, well-organized, and diverse facts highlighted by brilliantly-colored, detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations, include tips and encouragement for potential young birdwatchers. Glossary.
Black is a Rainbow Color
Angela Joy
Illustrator: Ekua Holmes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young girl proudly reflects on Black history and culture and on what the legacy means for her. Free verse. Brightly painted, collage illustrations. Back matter.
Angela Joy
Illustrator: Ekua Holmes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young girl proudly reflects on Black history and culture and on what the legacy means for her. Free verse. Brightly painted, collage illustrations. Back matter.
Blue Daisy
Helen Frost
Illustrator: Rob Shepperson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Neighbors Sam and Katie describe in poetry and prose how a stray dog brings together unlikely friends. Recipes, author's note, expressive full-page illustrations.
Helen Frost
Illustrator: Rob Shepperson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Neighbors Sam and Katie describe in poetry and prose how a stray dog brings together unlikely friends. Recipes, author's note, expressive full-page illustrations.
Boy and the Gorilla, The
Jackie Azua Kramer
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Suffering the loss of his mother, a young boy searches for answers with an imaginary gorilla. Vibrant watercolor/ink illustrations.
Jackie Azua Kramer
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Suffering the loss of his mother, a young boy searches for answers with an imaginary gorilla. Vibrant watercolor/ink illustrations.
Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass Story
Shana Keller
Illustrator: Kayla Stark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
With fight and determination an enslaved child learns to read and write. Beautifully detailed illustrations.
Shana Keller
Illustrator: Kayla Stark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
With fight and determination an enslaved child learns to read and write. Beautifully detailed illustrations.
Bunny Braves the Day: A First-Day-of-School Story
Suzanne Bloom
Illustrator: Suzanne Bloom
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Bunny has endless excuses to avoid school but his sister's wise words change his mind. Vivid illustrations show emotions.
Suzanne Bloom
Illustrator: Suzanne Bloom
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Bunny has endless excuses to avoid school but his sister's wise words change his mind. Vivid illustrations show emotions.
Butterflies Belong Here
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young immigrant is called to community action to save endangered butterflies. Luminous digital artwork.
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young immigrant is called to community action to save endangered butterflies. Luminous digital artwork.
By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music
by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
After teaching himself to read, Charles entered the ministry, serving a large church and writing gospel music throughout his career. Bold watercolor and collage illustrations.
by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
After teaching himself to read, Charles entered the ministry, serving a large church and writing gospel music throughout his career. Bold watercolor and collage illustrations.
Camping Trip, The
Jennifer K. Mann
Illustrator: Jennifer K. Mann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Excited when she's invited on a camping trip with her aunt and cousin, Ernestine finds camping in the wilderness isn't exactly what she expected. Woodsy mixed-media illustrations.
Jennifer K. Mann
Illustrator: Jennifer K. Mann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Excited when she's invited on a camping trip with her aunt and cousin, Ernestine finds camping in the wilderness isn't exactly what she expected. Woodsy mixed-media illustrations.
Can Bears Ski?
Raymond Antrobus
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
After missing friends' greetings and jokes, Little Bear visits an audiologist. Hearing aids and support from Dad open up his world. Engaging, expressive ink and paint illustrations.
Raymond Antrobus
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
After missing friends' greetings and jokes, Little Bear visits an audiologist. Hearing aids and support from Dad open up his world. Engaging, expressive ink and paint illustrations.
Cannonball
Sacha Cotter
Illustrator: Josh Morgan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Maori boy's grandmother helps him hear his inner voice to find his own style of diving. Digital painting.
Sacha Cotter
Illustrator: Josh Morgan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Maori boy's grandmother helps him hear his inner voice to find his own style of diving. Digital painting.
Cézanne's Parrot
by Amy Guglielmo
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Through determination and creativity, a non-traditional French artist finally achieves recognition from his parrot and peers to become the father of modern art. Engaging colorful palette. Back matter
by Amy Guglielmo
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Through determination and creativity, a non-traditional French artist finally achieves recognition from his parrot and peers to become the father of modern art. Engaging colorful palette. Back matter
Child of the Universe
Ray Jayawardhana
Illustrator: Raul Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A father compares his daughter to the elements of the cosmos, as she prepares for bed. Intense and spectacular colored pencil illustrations.
Ray Jayawardhana
Illustrator: Raul Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A father compares his daughter to the elements of the cosmos, as she prepares for bed. Intense and spectacular colored pencil illustrations.
CONSENT (For Kids!): Boundaries, Respect, and Being In Charge of You
Rachel Brian
Illustrator: Rachel Brian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Lively digital illustrations complement a guide on how to respect yourself and others.
Rachel Brian
Illustrator: Rachel Brian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Lively digital illustrations complement a guide on how to respect yourself and others.
Covid-19 Helpers
Beth Bacon
Illustrator: Kary Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The many people who are combating the virus, from community workers to children, are applauded for doing their parts to help. Simple colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Beth Bacon
Illustrator: Kary Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The many people who are combating the virus, from community workers to children, are applauded for doing their parts to help. Simple colorful illustrations. Back matter.