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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers' Rights
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Kristy Caldwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Following heart and mind, Perkins fought for laws for workplace justice. Authentic period illustrations depict FDR's Secretary of Labor, the first female cabinet member. Well referenced.
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Kristy Caldwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Following heart and mind, Perkins fought for laws for workplace justice. Authentic period illustrations depict FDR's Secretary of Labor, the first female cabinet member. Well referenced.
Thank You, Miyuki
Roxane Marie Galliez
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Over the course of a day, a grandfather models meditation to his curious granddaughter. Lush, immersive, dreamy illustrations show a deep appreciation for Japanese arts.
Roxane Marie Galliez
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Over the course of a day, a grandfather models meditation to his curious granddaughter. Lush, immersive, dreamy illustrations show a deep appreciation for Japanese arts.
This Way, Charlie
Caron Levis
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A friendship between a horse and a goat at a rescue center teaches each how to handle life's challenges. Luminous illustrations.
Caron Levis
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A friendship between a horse and a goat at a rescue center teaches each how to handle life's challenges. Luminous illustrations.
Thousand Glass Flowers, A: Marietta Barovier and the Invention of the Rosetta Bead
Evan Turk
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Captivated by fire and sun, Marietta defied societal rules to become a female glassblower. Orange, gold, and indigo tones evoke Renaissance Venice. Enchanting text.
Evan Turk
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Captivated by fire and sun, Marietta defied societal rules to become a female glassblower. Orange, gold, and indigo tones evoke Renaissance Venice. Enchanting text.
Three Billy Goats Buenos, The
Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator: Miguel Ordóñez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A popular tale retold with a twist, in rhyme with Spanish words inserted into English text. Pencil, collage, and digital illustrations. Glossary with pronunciations.
Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator: Miguel Ordóñez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A popular tale retold with a twist, in rhyme with Spanish words inserted into English text. Pencil, collage, and digital illustrations. Glossary with pronunciations.
Thump Goes the Rabbit: How Animals Communicate (Let's Read and Find Out series, Level 1)
Fran Hodgkins
Illustrator: Taia Morley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The variety of ways animals send messages and reveal feelings are revealed in simple text accompanied by colorful digital illustrations.
Fran Hodgkins
Illustrator: Taia Morley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The variety of ways animals send messages and reveal feelings are revealed in simple text accompanied by colorful digital illustrations.
Turtle Dove's Journey, The - A Story of Migration
Madeleine Dunphy
Illustrator: Marlo Garnsworthy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Each autumn, turtle doves migrate by night thousands of miles from England to Mali. How do they do it? Vibrant watercolor and digital oil illustrations, back matter.
Madeleine Dunphy
Illustrator: Marlo Garnsworthy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Each autumn, turtle doves migrate by night thousands of miles from England to Mali. How do they do it? Vibrant watercolor and digital oil illustrations, back matter.
Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom!
Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrator: Nina Mata
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Everyone is busy so Ty turns a box into a locomotive and plays engineer. The fun is infectious and his family joins in. Playful and joyful illustrations.
Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrator: Nina Mata
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Everyone is busy so Ty turns a box into a locomotive and plays engineer. The fun is infectious and his family joins in. Playful and joyful illustrations.
Uncle Bobby's Wedding
Sarah S. Brannen
Illustrator: Lucia Soto
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Uncle Bobby and soon-to-be Uncle Jamie reassure Chloe that their love for each other still has plenty of room for her. Lively illustrations show racial diversity.
Sarah S. Brannen
Illustrator: Lucia Soto
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Uncle Bobby and soon-to-be Uncle Jamie reassure Chloe that their love for each other still has plenty of room for her. Lively illustrations show racial diversity.
¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat
Raúl the Third
Illustrator: colors by Elaine Bay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Little Lobo feeds nine hungry wrestlers/luchadores. Graphic novel-like illustrations evoke the culture of the U.S./Mexico border. Bilingual food glossary.
Raúl the Third
Illustrator: colors by Elaine Bay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Little Lobo feeds nine hungry wrestlers/luchadores. Graphic novel-like illustrations evoke the culture of the U.S./Mexico border. Bilingual food glossary.
Ways To Make "Sunshine"
Renée Watson
Illustrator: Nina Mata
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Recently, Ryan and her African-American family have experienced some hard times, but this tight-knit family knows how to navigate changes. Cheerful black-and-white spot illustrations.
Renée Watson
Illustrator: Nina Mata
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Recently, Ryan and her African-American family have experienced some hard times, but this tight-knit family knows how to navigate changes. Cheerful black-and-white spot illustrations.
We Are Water Protectors
Carole Lindstrom
Illustrator: Michaela Goade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The women of three indigenous tribes vow to fight against the oil pipeline that threatens their sacred water source. Brilliant multimedia illustrations. Back matter.
Carole Lindstrom
Illustrator: Michaela Goade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The women of three indigenous tribes vow to fight against the oil pipeline that threatens their sacred water source. Brilliant multimedia illustrations. Back matter.
Weather's Bet, The
Stephen Cowan
Illustrator: Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In this lyrical reimagining of The Wind and the Sun, majestic mixed media collages convey the power of natural forces, with the earth and sun ultimately triumphing.
Stephen Cowan
Illustrator: Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
In this lyrical reimagining of The Wind and the Sun, majestic mixed media collages convey the power of natural forces, with the earth and sun ultimately triumphing.
Weekend Dad
Naseem Hrab
Illustrator: Frank Viva
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young boy navigates confusion after his parents' divorce: two homes, but neither feels like home without the other parent. Inked stylized illustrations.
Naseem Hrab
Illustrator: Frank Viva
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young boy navigates confusion after his parents' divorce: two homes, but neither feels like home without the other parent. Inked stylized illustrations.
Were I Not a Girl: The Inspiring and True Story of Dr. James Barry
LIsa Robinson
Illustrator: Lauren Simkin Berke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A physician, born female, decides to live as a man from age 18 to his passing. Gorgeous mixed media illustrations.
LIsa Robinson
Illustrator: Lauren Simkin Berke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A physician, born female, decides to live as a man from age 18 to his passing. Gorgeous mixed media illustrations.
When Emily Was Small
Lauren Soloy
Illustrator: Lauren Soloy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
As a young girl, the artist Emily Carr, finds beauty, awe and wonder in nature with the help of new friend the Wild. Sumptuous watercolor illustrations.
Lauren Soloy
Illustrator: Lauren Soloy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
As a young girl, the artist Emily Carr, finds beauty, awe and wonder in nature with the help of new friend the Wild. Sumptuous watercolor illustrations.
Where Lily Isn't
Julie Paschkis
Illustrator: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A girl thinks about the places her beloved dog Lily isn't going to be anymore. But she knows Lily will always be in her heart. Mixed-media illustrations.
Julie Paschkis
Illustrator: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A girl thinks about the places her beloved dog Lily isn't going to be anymore. But she knows Lily will always be in her heart. Mixed-media illustrations.
Whoo-Ku Haiku: A Great Horned Owl Story
Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Jonathan Voss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The nesting, egg-laying, hatching, and flights of an owl family are dramatized through haiku poetry and expressive dreamy watercolor/sepia ink illustration. Back matter.
Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Jonathan Voss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The nesting, egg-laying, hatching, and flights of an owl family are dramatized through haiku poetry and expressive dreamy watercolor/sepia ink illustration. Back matter.
Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls
Annette Whipple
Illustrator: various photographers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Owls are awesome, and this book shows us how special they are. Startling photographs and text answer many of children's questions about these fascinating birds.
Annette Whipple
Illustrator: various photographers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Owls are awesome, and this book shows us how special they are. Startling photographs and text answer many of children's questions about these fascinating birds.
Who Will It Be? How Evolution Connects Us All
Paolo Vitale
Illustrator: Rossana Bossù
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The evolution of diverse life forms, from cells to unique creatures, is poetically described. History, charts. Vibrant illustrations.
Paolo Vitale
Illustrator: Rossana Bossù
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
The evolution of diverse life forms, from cells to unique creatures, is poetically described. History, charts. Vibrant illustrations.
Why Do We Cry?
Fran Pintadera
Illustrator: Ana Sender
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A mother sensitively and reassuringly explains to her son all the possible causes of our tears. Soft, colorful illustrations perfectly capture the mood. Back matter and activities.
Fran Pintadera
Illustrator: Ana Sender
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A mother sensitively and reassuringly explains to her son all the possible causes of our tears. Soft, colorful illustrations perfectly capture the mood. Back matter and activities.
Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery
Meeg Pincus
Illustrator: Yas Imamura
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Scientists, schoolchildren, Mexican villagers, gardeners, and teachers were among those who helped discover where Monarch butterflies' annual journey from Canada ends. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
Meeg Pincus
Illustrator: Yas Imamura
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Scientists, schoolchildren, Mexican villagers, gardeners, and teachers were among those who helped discover where Monarch butterflies' annual journey from Canada ends. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
Wondrous Rex
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Emilia Dzubiak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When a magician comes with a mysterious dog to help Aunt Lily's writer's block, the dog inspires young Gracie too. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Emilia Dzubiak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
When a magician comes with a mysterious dog to help Aunt Lily's writer's block, the dog inspires young Gracie too. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Woodpecker Girl
Chingyen Liu and I-Tsun Chiang
Illustrator: Heidi Doll
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A girl with cerebral palsy learns to paint using a headband with a paintbrush. Impressionist drawings and original art of the child this story is based upon.
Chingyen Liu and I-Tsun Chiang
Illustrator: Heidi Doll
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A girl with cerebral palsy learns to paint using a headband with a paintbrush. Impressionist drawings and original art of the child this story is based upon.
Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane
Kristen W. Larson
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Some people thought women couldn't invent things, but Emma Lilian loved solving problems. Could she improve on early designs for flying machines? Bold, energetic illustrations. Extensive source notes.
Kristen W. Larson
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
Some people thought women couldn't invent things, but Emma Lilian loved solving problems. Could she improve on early designs for flying machines? Bold, energetic illustrations. Extensive source notes.