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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If You Want to Visit a Sea Garden
Weisman, Kay
Illustrator: Roy Henry Vickers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Explore a clam garden, a food source that indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest have cultivated for thousands of years. Bold, digital illustrations. Author's note with color photographs.
Weisman, Kay
Illustrator: Roy Henry Vickers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Explore a clam garden, a food source that indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest have cultivated for thousands of years. Bold, digital illustrations. Author's note with color photographs.
I'll Be the Water: A Story of Grandparent's Love
Alec Aspinwall
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A grandfather reassures his grandson through simple similes that even after his death, he will always be with him. Gentle evocative watercolor wash illustrations.
Alec Aspinwall
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A grandfather reassures his grandson through simple similes that even after his death, he will always be with him. Gentle evocative watercolor wash illustrations.
I'm Trying to Love Rocks
Bethany Barton
Illustrator: Bethany Barton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A humorous interchange between a doubting narrator and an enthusiastic young scientist provides a wonderful invitation for the study of geology. Bold lettering and comical illustrations.
Bethany Barton
Illustrator: Bethany Barton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A humorous interchange between a doubting narrator and an enthusiastic young scientist provides a wonderful invitation for the study of geology. Bold lettering and comical illustrations.
Insects by the Numbers
Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Interesting facts about a wide variety of insects, presented in infographics, including their life span, their size, and physical appearance. With life-like torn paper illustrations.
Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Interesting facts about a wide variety of insects, presented in infographics, including their life span, their size, and physical appearance. With life-like torn paper illustrations.
In the Woods
David Elliott
Illustrator: Rob Dunlavey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Fifteen poems in varied forms and moods offer vivid portraits of woodland creatures. Expressive watercolor and mixed media art. Includes short animal profiles.
David Elliott
Illustrator: Rob Dunlavey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Fifteen poems in varied forms and moods offer vivid portraits of woodland creatures. Expressive watercolor and mixed media art. Includes short animal profiles.
I Talk Like a River
Jordan Scott
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A father comforts his son by comparing his stutter to a river - often choppy and churning, but ultimately smooth. Extraordinary impressionistic art.
Jordan Scott
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A father comforts his son by comparing his stutter to a river - often choppy and churning, but ultimately smooth. Extraordinary impressionistic art.
Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin
Tracy Newman
Illustrator: Abigail Halpin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
An undaunted Israeli immigrant boy, stricken with polio, rises to fame as a violinist. Music notation in watercolor and colored pencil. Timeline, notes, bibliography.
Tracy Newman
Illustrator: Abigail Halpin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
An undaunted Israeli immigrant boy, stricken with polio, rises to fame as a violinist. Music notation in watercolor and colored pencil. Timeline, notes, bibliography.
I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference
Mark Shulman
Illustrator: Serge Bloch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Colorful ink drawings accompany this easy-to-understand explanation of voting. Expanded back matter clearly explains national and state governments. Additional resources.
Mark Shulman
Illustrator: Serge Bloch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Colorful ink drawings accompany this easy-to-understand explanation of voting. Expanded back matter clearly explains national and state governments. Additional resources.
I Will Dance
Nancy Bo Flood
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Wheelchair-bound Eva longs to be able to dance. Will it ever be possible? Watercolor and graphite illustrations.
Nancy Bo Flood
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Wheelchair-bound Eva longs to be able to dance. Will it ever be possible? Watercolor and graphite illustrations.
Jabari Tries
Gaia Cornwall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Jabari's frustration with the science of his flying machine increases. Can his little sister help? Expressive and vibrant pencil, watercolor, and collage illustrations.
Gaia Cornwall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Jabari's frustration with the science of his flying machine increases. Can his little sister help? Expressive and vibrant pencil, watercolor, and collage illustrations.
Jacob Riis's Camera: Bringing Light to Tenement Children
Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Gary Kelley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Atmospheric ink and pastel drawings augment the life story of the journalist-photographer whose accounts of impoverished tenement dwellers led to important social change. Original photographs. Extensive sources.
Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Gary Kelley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Atmospheric ink and pastel drawings augment the life story of the journalist-photographer whose accounts of impoverished tenement dwellers led to important social change. Original photographs. Extensive sources.
Jane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees
Sarah Albee
Illustrator: Gustavo Mazali
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Goodall's life and work studying and protecting these interesting animals is presented in simple language and enhanced by color drawings. Back matter includes photographs and additional information.
Sarah Albee
Illustrator: Gustavo Mazali
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Goodall's life and work studying and protecting these interesting animals is presented in simple language and enhanced by color drawings. Back matter includes photographs and additional information.
Joey: The Story of Joe Biden
Jill Biden with Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Biden's lifelong competitiveness, leadership qualities, and struggles with stuttering are depicted by his wife and Krull's watercolor and gouache illustrations. Sourced quotes, timelines and back matter.
Jill Biden with Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Biden's lifelong competitiveness, leadership qualities, and struggles with stuttering are depicted by his wife and Krull's watercolor and gouache illustrations. Sourced quotes, timelines and back matter.
Julián at the Wedding
Jessica Love
Illustrator: Jessica Love
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
At the wedding of two women, Julián makes a new friend named Marisol, granddaughter of his abuela's old friend. Subtle mixed media illustrations.
Jessica Love
Illustrator: Jessica Love
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
At the wedding of two women, Julián makes a new friend named Marisol, granddaughter of his abuela's old friend. Subtle mixed media illustrations.
Just Like Me
Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Simple, upbeat poems foster appreciation for what it is like to be a girl. Brightly colored mixed-media drawings convey warmth and humor within diverse contexts.
Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Simple, upbeat poems foster appreciation for what it is like to be a girl. Brightly colored mixed-media drawings convey warmth and humor within diverse contexts.
Just Like Me
written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Simple, upbeat poems foster appreciation of what it can be like to be a girl. Brightly colored mixed-media drawings convey warmth and humor within diverse contexts.
written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Simple, upbeat poems foster appreciation of what it can be like to be a girl. Brightly colored mixed-media drawings convey warmth and humor within diverse contexts.
Kamala and Maya's Big Idea
Meena Harris
Illustrator: Ana Ramírez González
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Warm, colorful panels show how the young Kamala and Maya Harris worked to unite a community to get a neighborhood playground built.
Meena Harris
Illustrator: Ana Ramírez González
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Warm, colorful panels show how the young Kamala and Maya Harris worked to unite a community to get a neighborhood playground built.
Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures
Springstubb, Tricia
Illustrator: Elaheh Taherian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
An unlikely friendship develops between Khalil and his elderly neighbor as they find treasures in Mr. Hagerty's garden. Brightly colored mixed media illustrations.
Springstubb, Tricia
Illustrator: Elaheh Taherian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
An unlikely friendship develops between Khalil and his elderly neighbor as they find treasures in Mr. Hagerty's garden. Brightly colored mixed media illustrations.
Last Goodbye, A
Elin Kelsey
Illustrator: Soyeon Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Animal mourning rituals provide a reassuring introduction to the topic of losing a loved one. Ink and watercolor cut-out illustrations. Back matter references scientific research.
Elin Kelsey
Illustrator: Soyeon Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Animal mourning rituals provide a reassuring introduction to the topic of losing a loved one. Ink and watercolor cut-out illustrations. Back matter references scientific research.
LET'S GO TO TAEKWONDO! A Story About Persistence, Bravery, and Breaking Boards
Aram Kim
Illustrator: Aram Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Animal friends join Yoomi as she learns Korean self-defense. Her grandmother and friends help her pass the board-breaking test. Cartoon, colored pencil, and pastel illustrations
Aram Kim
Illustrator: Aram Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Animal friends join Yoomi as she learns Korean self-defense. Her grandmother and friends help her pass the board-breaking test. Cartoon, colored pencil, and pastel illustrations
Letters from Bear
Gauthier David
Illustrator: Marie Caudry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Letters in poetic form and deep, rich, illustrations, some with hidden images, depict the travels of Bear who makes her way South to visit her friend Bird.
Gauthier David
Illustrator: Marie Caudry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Letters in poetic form and deep, rich, illustrations, some with hidden images, depict the travels of Bear who makes her way South to visit her friend Bird.
Little Mermaid, The
Jerry Pinkney
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young mermaid sacrifices her voice in exchange for legs and the hope of friendship. Striking pencil and watercolor illustrations. A Hans Christian Andersen revision.
Jerry Pinkney
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young mermaid sacrifices her voice in exchange for legs and the hope of friendship. Striking pencil and watercolor illustrations. A Hans Christian Andersen revision.
Lubaya's Quiet Roar
Marilyn Nelson
Illustrator: Philomena Williamson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Matching poetic text and warm oil/crayon paintings tell the story of a shy girl whose drawings give her a voice in a Civil Rights demonstration.
Marilyn Nelson
Illustrator: Philomena Williamson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Matching poetic text and warm oil/crayon paintings tell the story of a shy girl whose drawings give her a voice in a Civil Rights demonstration.
Lulu the One and Only
Lynnette Mawhinney
Illustrator: Jennie Poh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Biracial Lulu is tired of people asking what she is. Her brother tells her she needs a power phrase that answers who she is instead. Whimsical cartoonish illustrations.
Lynnette Mawhinney
Illustrator: Jennie Poh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Biracial Lulu is tired of people asking what she is. Her brother tells her she needs a power phrase that answers who she is instead. Whimsical cartoonish illustrations.
Madame Badobedah
Sophie Dahl
Illustrator: Lauren O'Hara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A seemingly grumpy hotel guest and a young girl share imaginative journeys without ever leaving Room 32. A heartwarming inter-generational tale depicted with playful watercolor illustrations.
Sophie Dahl
Illustrator: Lauren O'Hara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A seemingly grumpy hotel guest and a young girl share imaginative journeys without ever leaving Room 32. A heartwarming inter-generational tale depicted with playful watercolor illustrations.