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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I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story
Martha Brockenbrough with Grace Lin
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Born in California to Chinese parents in 1873, Wong Kim Ark challenged the Supreme Court to be recognized as an American citizen. Back matter, simple digital illustrations.
Martha Brockenbrough with Grace Lin
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Born in California to Chinese parents in 1873, Wong Kim Ark challenged the Supreme Court to be recognized as an American citizen. Back matter, simple digital illustrations.
I Am Elephant
J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: Miriam Nerlove
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Mellifluous words spoken in the first person provide a host of information about elephants. Watercolor and pencil art illustrations. End Note.
J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: Miriam Nerlove
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Mellifluous words spoken in the first person provide a host of information about elephants. Watercolor and pencil art illustrations. End Note.
I Am Smoke
Henry Herz
Illustrator: Mercè López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Explore the various ways that smoke has always impacted nature and the lives of humans in both positive and negative ways. Swirling, smoky illustrations.
Henry Herz
Illustrator: Mercè López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Explore the various ways that smoke has always impacted nature and the lives of humans in both positive and negative ways. Swirling, smoky illustrations.
I Am the Shark
Joan Holub
Illustrator: Laurie Keller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A great white shark competes with other sharks in this humorous and fact-filled picture book with bright collage illustrations.
Joan Holub
Illustrator: Laurie Keller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A great white shark competes with other sharks in this humorous and fact-filled picture book with bright collage illustrations.
I Can Help
Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Mikela Prevost
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Zahra always volunteers to help Kyle whenever asked. Yet when classmates make fun of her for doing so, she retreats. Multimedia illustrations.
Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Mikela Prevost
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Zahra always volunteers to help Kyle whenever asked. Yet when classmates make fun of her for doing so, she retreats. Multimedia illustrations.
I Dream of Popo
Livia Blackburne
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
After a girl and her parents move from Taiwan to San Diego, her visits to her beloved grandmother are limited, but their bond is unbreakable. Bold 2-D illustrations; notes, glossary.
Livia Blackburne
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
After a girl and her parents move from Taiwan to San Diego, her visits to her beloved grandmother are limited, but their bond is unbreakable. Bold 2-D illustrations; notes, glossary.
If I Were A Tree
Andrea Zimmerman
Illustrator: Jing Jing Tsong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A multi-racial family sets out on a camping trip to explore a forest. Imagine what a tree feels, tastes, smells, hears and sees. Digital collage and back matter.
Andrea Zimmerman
Illustrator: Jing Jing Tsong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A multi-racial family sets out on a camping trip to explore a forest. Imagine what a tree feels, tastes, smells, hears and sees. Digital collage and back matter.
If You Were an Elephant
Leslie Staub
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Collage-like painted illustrations and accessible text depict the family life, varied survival tools, and tight-knit communities of these intelligent giants. FAQs.
Leslie Staub
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Collage-like painted illustrations and accessible text depict the family life, varied survival tools, and tight-knit communities of these intelligent giants. FAQs.
I Is for Immigrants
Selina Alko
Illustrator: Selina Alko
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
From ambition and African dance to zest and ziti, the myriad contributions and cultures of immigrants to the United States is celebrated. Colorful, richly detailed illustrations.
Selina Alko
Illustrator: Selina Alko
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
From ambition and African dance to zest and ziti, the myriad contributions and cultures of immigrants to the United States is celebrated. Colorful, richly detailed illustrations.
I'll Meet You in Your Dreams
Jessica Young
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Rhyming text with rich multimedia depictions of a series of fantastic scenes assure a child that his parents' love for him will transcend time, space, even consciousness.
Jessica Young
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Rhyming text with rich multimedia depictions of a series of fantastic scenes assure a child that his parents' love for him will transcend time, space, even consciousness.
Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau, The
Jon Agee
Illustrator: Jon Agee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Can a French artist reclaim his reputation after his unusual paintings, causing chaos and destruction, are confiscated and land him in jail? Bold somber colors underscore the humor. (Reprint edition).
Jon Agee
Illustrator: Jon Agee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Can a French artist reclaim his reputation after his unusual paintings, causing chaos and destruction, are confiscated and land him in jail? Bold somber colors underscore the humor. (Reprint edition).
I Sang You Down from the Stars
Tasha Spillett-Sumner
Illustrator: Michaela Goade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A mother welcomes her baby to the world with a bundle of sacred gifts in the Native American tradition. Back matter and watercolor illustrations.
Tasha Spillett-Sumner
Illustrator: Michaela Goade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A mother welcomes her baby to the world with a bundle of sacred gifts in the Native American tradition. Back matter and watercolor illustrations.
It Fell from the Sky
Terry Fan, & Eric Fan
Illustrator: Terry Fan, & Eric Fan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A colorful wonder falls from the sky into a garden. A greedy spider takes the opportunity to charge a fee to see it. Delicate, dreamlike illustrations.
Terry Fan, & Eric Fan
Illustrator: Terry Fan, & Eric Fan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A colorful wonder falls from the sky into a garden. A greedy spider takes the opportunity to charge a fee to see it. Delicate, dreamlike illustrations.
Ivy Lost and Found (Book Buddies series)
Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Librarian Anne's childhood doll Ivy was long forgotten until she becomes one of the library's Book Buddies and embarks on her adventure with a new girl. Black-and-white retro illustrations.
Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Librarian Anne's childhood doll Ivy was long forgotten until she becomes one of the library's Book Buddies and embarks on her adventure with a new girl. Black-and-white retro illustrations.
I Want to Ride the Tap Tap
Danielle Joseph
Illustrator: Olivier Ganthier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Claude longs to ride the tap tap bus, but can't during the week; on Sunday his parents surprise him with a special treat. Luminous, lively art, Haitian Creole glossary.
Danielle Joseph
Illustrator: Olivier Ganthier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Claude longs to ride the tap tap bus, but can't during the week; on Sunday his parents surprise him with a special treat. Luminous, lively art, Haitian Creole glossary.
Jacob's School Play: Starring He, She, and They
Ian Hoffman & Sarah Hoffman
Illustrator: Chris Case
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
In an early grade classoom as the students put on a farm play they learn a new identity pronoun. Colorful illustrations express ideas.
Ian Hoffman & Sarah Hoffman
Illustrator: Chris Case
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
In an early grade classoom as the students put on a farm play they learn a new identity pronoun. Colorful illustrations express ideas.
Jayden's Impossible Garden
Mélina Mangal
Illustrator: Ken Daley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When some people in Jayden's African-American neighborhood doubt that nature exists in the city, he and his older friend, a wheelchair user, prove otherwise. Bright illustrations. Back matter includes activities.
Mélina Mangal
Illustrator: Ken Daley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When some people in Jayden's African-American neighborhood doubt that nature exists in the city, he and his older friend, a wheelchair user, prove otherwise. Bright illustrations. Back matter includes activities.
Josie Dances
Denise Lajimodiere
Illustrator: Angela Erdrich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
To dance in the next powwow, Josie asks the women in her Ojibwe family - mom, aunty, and Grandma Greatwalker - to help create her regalia. Colorful watercolor illustrations, glossary, map.
Denise Lajimodiere
Illustrator: Angela Erdrich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
To dance in the next powwow, Josie asks the women in her Ojibwe family - mom, aunty, and Grandma Greatwalker - to help create her regalia. Colorful watercolor illustrations, glossary, map.
Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston
Alicia D. Williams
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When Maureen welcomes a Syrian refugee boy to her diverse community, their friendship blossoms as they discover their mutual love of birds. Mixed-media illustrations create three-dimensional effect. Back matter.
Alicia D. Williams
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
When Maureen welcomes a Syrian refugee boy to her diverse community, their friendship blossoms as they discover their mutual love of birds. Mixed-media illustrations create three-dimensional effect. Back matter.
Just You and Me: Remarkable Relationships in the Wild
Jennifer Ward
Illustrator: Alexander Vidal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Poetic text and attractive stylized illustrations demonstrate the symbiotic relationships of many wild creatures.
Jennifer Ward
Illustrator: Alexander Vidal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Poetic text and attractive stylized illustrations demonstrate the symbiotic relationships of many wild creatures.
Keeping the City Going
Brian Floca
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A tribute to the essential workers - from health care providers to first responders - on whom everyone depended during the COVID pandemic. Exquisitely rendered watercolor art.
Brian Floca
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A tribute to the essential workers - from health care providers to first responders - on whom everyone depended during the COVID pandemic. Exquisitely rendered watercolor art.
King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin
Stephen Costanza
Illustrator: Stephen Costanza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
The life and musical development of Scott Joplin, son of formerly enslaved parents, is told in rich, lyrical language enhanced by colorful mixed-media folk art illustrations.
Stephen Costanza
Illustrator: Stephen Costanza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
The life and musical development of Scott Joplin, son of formerly enslaved parents, is told in rich, lyrical language enhanced by colorful mixed-media folk art illustrations.
King's Golden Beard, The
Klaas Verplancke
Illustrator: Klaas Verplancke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A self-centered bearded king is outwitted by his own laws and ignorance. Colorful, humorous, cartoon-like illustrations.
Klaas Verplancke
Illustrator: Klaas Verplancke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A self-centered bearded king is outwitted by his own laws and ignorance. Colorful, humorous, cartoon-like illustrations.
Kiyoshi's Walk
Mark Karlins
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Kiyoshi asks his poet grandfather where poetry comes from. Grandfather demonstrates by spontaneously writing haiku about things they see, hear, and imagine. Painterly digital illustrations. Afterword.
Mark Karlins
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Kiyoshi asks his poet grandfather where poetry comes from. Grandfather demonstrates by spontaneously writing haiku about things they see, hear, and imagine. Painterly digital illustrations. Afterword.
Kuan Yin: The Princess Who Became the Goddess of Compassion
Maya van der Meer
Illustrator: Wen Hsu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A modern retelling of the story of the enlightened Buddhist being who is said to exemplify compassion and love. Elaborate illustrations reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty. Author's note.
Maya van der Meer
Illustrator: Wen Hsu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A modern retelling of the story of the enlightened Buddhist being who is said to exemplify compassion and love. Elaborate illustrations reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty. Author's note.