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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Max and Mo's 100th Day of School (Max and Mo series)
Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont in the Style of Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The hamsters learn some important lessons about counting and size. Ink and watercolor drawings. Activity and game instructions.
Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont in the Style of Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The hamsters learn some important lessons about counting and size. Ink and watercolor drawings. Activity and game instructions.
Max & Mo's Science Fair Surprise (Max and Mo series)
Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont in the Style of Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Two hamsters decide to grow bean sprouts. Ink and watercolor drawings. Instructions on growing plants from seeds.
Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont in the Style of Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Two hamsters decide to grow bean sprouts. Ink and watercolor drawings. Instructions on growing plants from seeds.
Me & Mama
Cozbi A. Cabrera
Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young Black girl eagerly wakes to enjoy a rainy day with her mother. Vivid acrylic paintings and simple text portray a lovely mother-daughter relationship.
Cozbi A. Cabrera
Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young Black girl eagerly wakes to enjoy a rainy day with her mother. Vivid acrylic paintings and simple text portray a lovely mother-daughter relationship.
Memoirs of a Tortoise
Devin Scillian
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The truth that every life must end is told gently and with humor through the eyes of a tortoise who loses his human age-mate. Realistic, painterly illustrations.
Devin Scillian
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The truth that every life must end is told gently and with humor through the eyes of a tortoise who loses his human age-mate. Realistic, painterly illustrations.
Migration
Gail Gibbons
Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Animal migratory habits are engagingly presented with vibrant watercolor illustrations. Clear facts, maps of migratory patterns and an interwoven glossary make this a great resource.
Gail Gibbons
Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Animal migratory habits are engagingly presented with vibrant watercolor illustrations. Clear facts, maps of migratory patterns and an interwoven glossary make this a great resource.
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business
Lyla Lee
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In this new series, seven-year-old Mindy finds her way as the only Asian-American in her new school. Black-and-white digitally-realized cartoon illustrations.
Lyla Lee
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In this new series, seven-year-old Mindy finds her way as the only Asian-American in her new school. Black-and-white digitally-realized cartoon illustrations.
Miriam at the River
Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Brave Miriam does what she must to save her brother in this beautiful, poetic retelling of the familiar Biblical story. Effective swirling, vibrant illustrations.
Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Brave Miriam does what she must to save her brother in this beautiful, poetic retelling of the familiar Biblical story. Effective swirling, vibrant illustrations.
Most Beautiful Thing, The
Kao Kalia Yang
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Kalia grows to understand her grandmother's experiences (and her own) as a Hmong refugee, focused on love of family. Lush mixed-media illustrations magnify the story.
Kao Kalia Yang
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Kalia grows to understand her grandmother's experiences (and her own) as a Hmong refugee, focused on love of family. Lush mixed-media illustrations magnify the story.
Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Mother Jones narrates her own story of her protest march with child laborers. Watercolor illustrations capture her spirit and the times. Bibliography, author's note, endpapers featuring quotes.
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Mother Jones narrates her own story of her protest march with child laborers. Watercolor illustrations capture her spirit and the times. Bibliography, author's note, endpapers featuring quotes.
My Bed: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep Around the World
Rebecca Bond
Illustrator: Salley Mavor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Magnificent, detailed handstitched artwork invites children to explore beloved beds around the world. The message gently celebrates human similarities and differences.
Rebecca Bond
Illustrator: Salley Mavor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Magnificent, detailed handstitched artwork invites children to explore beloved beds around the world. The message gently celebrates human similarities and differences.
My Big Family
Yanitzia Canetti
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young boy welcomes his grandmother, aunt and cousins from Cuba to his home. Will there be enough room? Exuberant, vivid illustrations enhance story.
Yanitzia Canetti
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young boy welcomes his grandmother, aunt and cousins from Cuba to his home. Will there be enough room? Exuberant, vivid illustrations enhance story.
My Day with Gong Gong
Sennah Yee
Illustrator: Elaine Chan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
May isn't very happy about spending the day with her grandfather. He doesn't speak English and doesn't seem to understand her. Or does he? Colorful watercolor illustrations.
Sennah Yee
Illustrator: Elaine Chan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
May isn't very happy about spending the day with her grandfather. He doesn't speak English and doesn't seem to understand her. Or does he? Colorful watercolor illustrations.
Nacho's Nachos: The Story Behind the World's Favorite Snack
Sandra Nickel
Illustrator: Oliver Dominguez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When a restaurant customer requests something special, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya demonstrates his imagination and talent in the kitchen. Realistic, painterly illustrations match this real-life story.
Sandra Nickel
Illustrator: Oliver Dominguez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When a restaurant customer requests something special, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya demonstrates his imagination and talent in the kitchen. Realistic, painterly illustrations match this real-life story.
Nana Akua Goes to School
Tricia Elam Walker
Illustrator: April Harrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Zura introduces her beloved West African grandmother to her classmates, and everyone learns something about beauty and kindness. Jewel-toned illustrations that resemble fabric envelop the characters.
Tricia Elam Walker
Illustrator: April Harrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Zura introduces her beloved West African grandmother to her classmates, and everyone learns something about beauty and kindness. Jewel-toned illustrations that resemble fabric envelop the characters.
Nature All Around: Plants
Pamela Hickman
Illustrator: Carolyn Gavin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Bright, detailed watercolors and clear text introduce plants and describe how, when, and where plants grow.
Pamela Hickman
Illustrator: Carolyn Gavin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Bright, detailed watercolors and clear text introduce plants and describe how, when, and where plants grow.
Nature Did It First: Engineering Through Biomimicry
Karen Ansberry
Illustrator: Jennifer DiRubbio
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Plants, animals, and insects have inspired modern inventions. Poems, interesting facts, and colorful illustrations introduce the concept of biomimicry, showing how we can learn from nature.
Karen Ansberry
Illustrator: Jennifer DiRubbio
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Plants, animals, and insects have inspired modern inventions. Poems, interesting facts, and colorful illustrations introduce the concept of biomimicry, showing how we can learn from nature.
Neighbors
Kasya Denisevich
Illustrator: Kasy Denisevich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A girl moves into a new apartment building and wonders about her neighbors. Sparse text with extraordinary ink drawings relate stories of these people, including her new school friend.
Kasya Denisevich
Illustrator: Kasy Denisevich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A girl moves into a new apartment building and wonders about her neighbors. Sparse text with extraordinary ink drawings relate stories of these people, including her new school friend.
Nest that Wren Built, The
Randi Sonenshine
Illustrator: Anne Hunter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Wrens build their nests with surprising elements, making them secure for hatchlings, until they fly away. Soft, realistic ink and colored paper. Glossary and some crucial facts.
Randi Sonenshine
Illustrator: Anne Hunter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Wrens build their nests with surprising elements, making them secure for hatchlings, until they fly away. Soft, realistic ink and colored paper. Glossary and some crucial facts.
Night Wishes
Lee Bennett Hopkins, ed.
Illustrator: Jen Corace
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In these lyrical verses by thirteen poets, the moon, a teddy bear, a blanket, and more accompany a dreaming child. Soft gouache illustrations.
Lee Bennett Hopkins, ed.
Illustrator: Jen Corace
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In these lyrical verses by thirteen poets, the moon, a teddy bear, a blanket, and more accompany a dreaming child. Soft gouache illustrations.
Northbound: A Train Ride Out of Segregation
Michael S. Bandy
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Michael must sit in the segregated section of a train until it leaves Atlanta, when he quickly befriends a white boy. Realistic, watercolor illustrations. Back matter.
Michael S. Bandy
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Michael must sit in the segregated section of a train until it leaves Atlanta, when he quickly befriends a white boy. Realistic, watercolor illustrations. Back matter.
Nothing In Common
Kate Hoefler and Corinna Luyken
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Two children who live separate but parallel lives reunite a lost dog with its owner and, in doing so, discover each other's marvelousness. Mixed-media illustrations.
Kate Hoefler and Corinna Luyken
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Two children who live separate but parallel lives reunite a lost dog with its owner and, in doing so, discover each other's marvelousness. Mixed-media illustrations.
No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History
Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley, eds.
Illustrator: Jeanette Bradley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Poems by diverse writers feature kids fighting for environmental change, LGBTQIA+ equality, and other social issues. Short bios and digital illustrations. Back matter includes "Poetry Forms."
Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley, eds.
Illustrator: Jeanette Bradley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Poems by diverse writers feature kids fighting for environmental change, LGBTQIA+ equality, and other social issues. Short bios and digital illustrations. Back matter includes "Poetry Forms."
Numenia and the Hurricane: Inspired by a True Story
Fiona Halliday
Illustrator: Fiona Halliday
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
While migrating south, a courageous, determined little bird battles through a hurricane to be reunited with her family. Traditional and digital mixed-media illustrations.
Fiona Halliday
Illustrator: Fiona Halliday
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
While migrating south, a courageous, determined little bird battles through a hurricane to be reunited with her family. Traditional and digital mixed-media illustrations.
Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom, The
Colleen AF Venable
Illustrator: Lian Cho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A patient teacher introduces his students to eight musical instruments. Energetic illustrations highlight funny and informative text, explaining how sound is created.
Colleen AF Venable
Illustrator: Lian Cho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A patient teacher introduces his students to eight musical instruments. Energetic illustrations highlight funny and informative text, explaining how sound is created.
Ohana Means Family
Ilima Loomis
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The making of poi, a favorite dish, involves the Hawaiian customs, values, people, and countryside. Vivid, evocative, panoramic illustrations. Author's note, glossary.
Ilima Loomis
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The making of poi, a favorite dish, involves the Hawaiian customs, values, people, and countryside. Vivid, evocative, panoramic illustrations. Author's note, glossary.