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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Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals
Katy S. Duffield
Illustrator: Mike Orodán
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Lively, colorful pencil and digital illustrations showcase man-made structures that help wildlife safely cross roads and highways. Map, additional animal information, bibliography.
Katy S. Duffield
Illustrator: Mike Orodán
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Lively, colorful pencil and digital illustrations showcase man-made structures that help wildlife safely cross roads and highways. Map, additional animal information, bibliography.
Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper
Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Julie Downing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Though Helen Martini wanted to be a mother, her babies were rejected lion and tiger cubs from the Bronx Zoo. Playful illustrations. Back matter.
Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Julie Downing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Though Helen Martini wanted to be a mother, her babies were rejected lion and tiger cubs from the Bronx Zoo. Playful illustrations. Back matter.
Cyclops of Central Park
by Madelyn Rosenberg
Illustrator: Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Cyclops treasures the safety of his cave, but one day he is forced to confront the terrors of New York City Whimsical, witty multimedia illustrations
by Madelyn Rosenberg
Illustrator: Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Cyclops treasures the safety of his cave, but one day he is forced to confront the terrors of New York City Whimsical, witty multimedia illustrations
Danbi Leads the School Parade
Anna Kim
Illustrator: Anna Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
New to America from Korea, Danbi bravely goes to school, but no one plays with her, until a magical moment at lunchtime! Soft, sweet illustrations.
Anna Kim
Illustrator: Anna Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
New to America from Korea, Danbi bravely goes to school, but no one plays with her, until a magical moment at lunchtime! Soft, sweet illustrations.
Dance Like a Leaf
AJ Irving
Illustrator: Claudia Navarro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Through the passing of the seasons, a young girl grieves and heals from the loss of her grandmother. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.
AJ Irving
Illustrator: Claudia Navarro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Through the passing of the seasons, a young girl grieves and heals from the loss of her grandmother. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.
Dandan's Dream
Xiaowen Zhu
Illustrator: Yanling Gong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Exquisite illustrations and words tell the tale of Dandan, who mails herself to the South Pole to visit her father.
Xiaowen Zhu
Illustrator: Yanling Gong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Exquisite illustrations and words tell the tale of Dandan, who mails herself to the South Pole to visit her father.
Dark Was the Night
Gary Golio
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Blind gospel/blues musician Willie Johnson, whose first guitar was a cigar box, grew up to write a song chosen for the Golden Record on Voyager I. Expressive watercolors. Endnotes and bibliography.
Gary Golio
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Blind gospel/blues musician Willie Johnson, whose first guitar was a cigar box, grew up to write a song chosen for the Golden Record on Voyager I. Expressive watercolors. Endnotes and bibliography.
Day Saida Arrived, The
Susanna Gomez Redondo
Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A newcomer from Morocco and a classmate decide to teach each other their respective languages. Whimsical, surreal art, transliteration of Arabic words, appended English and Arabic alphabets.
Susanna Gomez Redondo
Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A newcomer from Morocco and a classmate decide to teach each other their respective languages. Whimsical, surreal art, transliteration of Arabic words, appended English and Arabic alphabets.
Desert Girl; Monsoon Boy
Tara Dairman
Illustrator: Archana Sreenivasan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In India, one family leaves their wind ravaged desert home searching water. Another leaves their storm-flooded home for higher ground. Will each find refuge? Digitally painted illustrations.
Tara Dairman
Illustrator: Archana Sreenivasan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In India, one family leaves their wind ravaged desert home searching water. Another leaves their storm-flooded home for higher ground. Will each find refuge? Digitally painted illustrations.
Digging for Words: Jose Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built
Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A garbage collector in Bogota scavenges books to create a library in his Barrio and is known as "The Lord of the Books." Whimsical digital art and background notes.
Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A garbage collector in Bogota scavenges books to create a library in his Barrio and is known as "The Lord of the Books." Whimsical digital art and background notes.
Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct: Real Facts About Dinosaurs
Drew Chenman
Illustrator: Drew Chenman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A humorous presentation of the evolution of dinosaurs into birds enhanced by clever cartoon drawings with witty captions.
Drew Chenman
Illustrator: Drew Chenman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A humorous presentation of the evolution of dinosaurs into birds enhanced by clever cartoon drawings with witty captions.
Dive In: Swim with Sea Creatures at Their Actual Size
Roxie Munro
Illustrator: Roxie Munro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Lavish color drawings portray the creatures that dwell in the world's oceans and near the reefs that lie off the continents. Back matter, glossary, map.
Roxie Munro
Illustrator: Roxie Munro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Lavish color drawings portray the creatures that dwell in the world's oceans and near the reefs that lie off the continents. Back matter, glossary, map.
Doll for Grandma, A: A Story about Alzheimer's Disease
Paulette Bochnig Sharkey
Illustrator: Samantha Woo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When her beloved grandmother is moved to a home because of her failing memory, Kiera finds a way to bond with her. Colorful expressive illustrations.
Paulette Bochnig Sharkey
Illustrator: Samantha Woo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When her beloved grandmother is moved to a home because of her failing memory, Kiera finds a way to bond with her. Colorful expressive illustrations.
Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring
Matthew Burgess
Illustrator: Josh Cochran
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A celebration of the life of an iconic pop artist who strove to make art accessible to everyone. Vibrant illustrations. Biographical notes.
Matthew Burgess
Illustrator: Josh Cochran
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A celebration of the life of an iconic pop artist who strove to make art accessible to everyone. Vibrant illustrations. Biographical notes.
Dusk Explorers
Lindsay Leslie
Illustrator: Ellen Rooney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Diverse children explore and play outdoors on a summer evening in a well-paced lyrical text. Mixed-media collages.
Lindsay Leslie
Illustrator: Ellen Rooney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Diverse children explore and play outdoors on a summer evening in a well-paced lyrical text. Mixed-media collages.
Efficient, Inventive (Often Annoying) Melvil Dewey, The
Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Quirky and compulsive, Dewey created a library cataloging system, started the first library training school, and promoted free libraries. Digital illustrations, author's notes, timeline, and sources.
Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Quirky and compulsive, Dewey created a library cataloging system, started the first library training school, and promoted free libraries. Digital illustrations, author's notes, timeline, and sources.
Ellie's Dragon
Bob Graham
Illustrator: Bob Graham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Ellie and her dragon are constant companions at first, but as Ellie's interests change, she notices the dragon starts to fade. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
Bob Graham
Illustrator: Bob Graham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Ellie and her dragon are constant companions at first, but as Ellie's interests change, she notices the dragon starts to fade. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings
Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
An imaginative fictional portrayal of Emily Dickinson as a young child who discovers delight in wordplay. Joyful watercolor illustrations. Historical back matter and bibliography.
Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
An imaginative fictional portrayal of Emily Dickinson as a young child who discovers delight in wordplay. Joyful watercolor illustrations. Historical back matter and bibliography.
Emmy Noether: The Most Important Mathematician You've Never Heard Of
Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Kari Rust
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When no male scientists could make sense of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, Emmy Noether could! Humorous illustrations and lively text introduce this brilliant, independent thinker.
Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Kari Rust
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When no male scientists could make sense of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, Emmy Noether could! Humorous illustrations and lively text introduce this brilliant, independent thinker.
Escape Goat
Ann Patchett
Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Nicolette wants justice for the poor goat who keeps getting blamed for the minor misdeeds of others. Detail-filled ink and watercolor illustrations of a farm family's life.
Ann Patchett
Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Nicolette wants justice for the poor goat who keeps getting blamed for the minor misdeeds of others. Detail-filled ink and watercolor illustrations of a farm family's life.
Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away
Meg Medina
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Two young girls promise to forever be each other's número uno even though one is relocating. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations of urban scenes. Spanish available.
Meg Medina
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Two young girls promise to forever be each other's número uno even though one is relocating. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations of urban scenes. Spanish available.
Everything Naomi Loved
Katie Yamasaki & Ian Lendler
Illustrator: Katie Yamasaki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Eleventh Street is changing, leaving Naomi lonely and sad, but Mr. Ray knows how Naomi can cope. Colorful, whimsical art brings the city to life.
Katie Yamasaki & Ian Lendler
Illustrator: Katie Yamasaki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Eleventh Street is changing, leaving Naomi lonely and sad, but Mr. Ray knows how Naomi can cope. Colorful, whimsical art brings the city to life.
Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
This book portrays the life of the first black American to win the Pulitzer prize. Beautifully detailed painterly illustrations. Endnotes.
Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
This book portrays the life of the first black American to win the Pulitzer prize. Beautifully detailed painterly illustrations. Endnotes.
Fabled Life of Aesop, The: The Extraordinary Journey and Collected Tales of the World's Greatest Storyteller
Ian Lendler
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A life of slavery taught Aesop to express ideas in allegories, the wisdom of which is still celebrated. Stunning intriguingly detailed illustrations. Afterword and Bibliography.
Ian Lendler
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A life of slavery taught Aesop to express ideas in allegories, the wisdom of which is still celebrated. Stunning intriguingly detailed illustrations. Afterword and Bibliography.
Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots
Michael Rex
Illustrator: Michael Rex
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Colorful digital art with humorous and concrete examples dramatize the importance of understanding the difference between facts and feelings.
Michael Rex
Illustrator: Michael Rex
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Colorful digital art with humorous and concrete examples dramatize the importance of understanding the difference between facts and feelings.