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
Your Name Is a Song
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young Black child, distressed that her name was not pronounced accurately, comes to advocate from the musicality of her name. Realistic, detailed pastel colored illustrations.
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Ages: 6+
Published: 2020
A young Black child, distressed that her name was not pronounced accurately, comes to advocate from the musicality of her name. Realistic, detailed pastel colored illustrations.
16 Words
by Lisa Rogers
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Just like Williams, the author shows how much can be said in just a few words and how anyone can use observation to write poetry.
by Lisa Rogers
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Just like Williams, the author shows how much can be said in just a few words and how anyone can use observation to write poetry.
A Computer Called Katherine
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Veronica Miller Jamison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
America's space exploration relied on the calculations of one brilliant mathematician. Despite racism and sexism, Katherine Johnson played an essential behind-the-scenes role at NASA. Mixed-media illustrations. Timeline, sources.
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Veronica Miller Jamison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
America's space exploration relied on the calculations of one brilliant mathematician. Despite racism and sexism, Katherine Johnson played an essential behind-the-scenes role at NASA. Mixed-media illustrations. Timeline, sources.
Across the Bay
written and illustrated by Carlos Aponte
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In Puerto Rico, a young boy sets out to find his father, then comes to appreciate the home and family he has. Appealing colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Carlos Aponte
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In Puerto Rico, a young boy sets out to find his father, then comes to appreciate the home and family he has. Appealing colorful illustrations.
A Dream of Flight
by Rob Polivka
Illustrator: Rob Polivka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A boyhood dream motivated the invention of a self-powered balloon, and established Santos as an aviation pioneer. Cartoon illustrations, diagrams and back matter with timeline and fun facts.
by Rob Polivka
Illustrator: Rob Polivka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A boyhood dream motivated the invention of a self-powered balloon, and established Santos as an aviation pioneer. Cartoon illustrations, diagrams and back matter with timeline and fun facts.
A Friend for Henry
by Jenn Bailey
Illustrator: Mika Song
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Henry needs a friend in his class, but other children are too noisy and too bossy for the boy on the autism spectrum. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Jenn Bailey
Illustrator: Mika Song
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Henry needs a friend in his class, but other children are too noisy and too bossy for the boy on the autism spectrum. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
A Friend Like Iggy
by Kathryn Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Igy, an accredited facilitator dog, helps abused children and teens, accompanying them to police interviews and court appearances. Volunteer models pose with Iggy in this colorful photo essay.
by Kathryn Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Igy, an accredited facilitator dog, helps abused children and teens, accompanying them to police interviews and court appearances. Volunteer models pose with Iggy in this colorful photo essay.
A is for Elizabeth
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Paige Keiser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Elizabeth is excited about 2nd grade until she has to make a poster of her long name, allowing insight into fairness, glue,, and alphabetizing.
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Paige Keiser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Elizabeth is excited about 2nd grade until she has to make a poster of her long name, allowing insight into fairness, glue,, and alphabetizing.
A Kite for Moon
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young boy who lands on the faraway orb is inspired by his childhood connection with his friend, the Moon. Lyrical text and soft watercolor images.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young boy who lands on the faraway orb is inspired by his childhood connection with his friend, the Moon. Lyrical text and soft watercolor images.
Along Came Coco
written and illustrated by Eva Byrne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Playful language and watercolor and ink illustrations tell the story of the rule-breaking girl whose unique fashion sense gave women a modern way to dress.
written and illustrated by Eva Byrne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Playful language and watercolor and ink illustrations tell the story of the rule-breaking girl whose unique fashion sense gave women a modern way to dress.
Along the Tapajós
by Fernando Vilela
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two Brazilian siblings, forced to leave their flooded riverbank Amazon home every rainy season, return to rescue their pet tortoise. Enveloping bold color scenes. Back matter.
by Fernando Vilela
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two Brazilian siblings, forced to leave their flooded riverbank Amazon home every rainy season, return to rescue their pet tortoise. Enveloping bold color scenes. Back matter.
And the Bullfrogs Sing
by David L. Harrison
Illustrator: Kate Cosgrove
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G - From mating to hibernating, the life cycle of the bullfrog is depicted over the course of two years. Pencil and digital illustrations. Definitions, references.
by David L. Harrison
Illustrator: Kate Cosgrove
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G - From mating to hibernating, the life cycle of the bullfrog is depicted over the course of two years. Pencil and digital illustrations. Definitions, references.
A New Home
written and illustrated by Tania de Regil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Parallel stories of two children, each one moving to a new country, highlight similarities. Detailed mixed-media illustrations of Mexico City and New York City.
written and illustrated by Tania de Regil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Parallel stories of two children, each one moving to a new country, highlight similarities. Detailed mixed-media illustrations of Mexico City and New York City.
Another
written and illustrated by Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A dreaming girl and her cat pass into a parallel universe filled with multiethnic children at play. Joyously painted collages may be “read” in multiple directions.
written and illustrated by Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A dreaming girl and her cat pass into a parallel universe filled with multiethnic children at play. Joyously painted collages may be “read” in multiple directions.
Ants Don't Wear Pants! (Giggle and Learn series)
written and illustrated by Kevin McCloskey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two children explore ants' anatomy and their life cycle in an underground colony. Lively cartoon-style paintings on recycled grocery bags.
written and illustrated by Kevin McCloskey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two children explore ants' anatomy and their life cycle in an underground colony. Lively cartoon-style paintings on recycled grocery bags.
A Place to Land
by Barry Wittenstein
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G - Lyrical writing and striking collage illustrations evoke the hours of meticulous preparation just before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech and his rousing, off-script delivery.
by Barry Wittenstein
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G - Lyrical writing and striking collage illustrations evoke the hours of meticulous preparation just before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech and his rousing, off-script delivery.
A Sea Otter to the Rescue (Tails from History series)
by Thea Feldman
Illustrator: Rachel Sanson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Toola, a rescued sea otter who lived in an aquarium specifically for sea otters, became a foster mother for many sea otter pups. Expressive illustrations.
by Thea Feldman
Illustrator: Rachel Sanson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Toola, a rescued sea otter who lived in an aquarium specifically for sea otters, became a foster mother for many sea otter pups. Expressive illustrations.
A Stone Sat Still
written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Through exquisite illustrations readers contemplate the many characteristics of one object in nature's ever-changing environment.
written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Through exquisite illustrations readers contemplate the many characteristics of one object in nature's ever-changing environment.
At Home with the Beaver
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Clear text and vivid photographs capture the interdependent web of life of a rodent whose presence drastically affects its wetlands habitat.
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Clear text and vivid photographs capture the interdependent web of life of a rodent whose presence drastically affects its wetlands habitat.
At the Mountain's Base
by Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Weshoyot Alvitre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A worried Cherokee family awaits the return from battle of a loved female military pilot. Poetic text and mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
by Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Weshoyot Alvitre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A worried Cherokee family awaits the return from battle of a loved female military pilot. Poetic text and mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
A Visit to Grandad: An African ABC
by Sade Fadipe
Illustrator: Shedrach Ayalomeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Lush watercolors depict a multitude of alphabetical objects as Adanah goes to visit her grandfather in a Nigerian village.
by Sade Fadipe
Illustrator: Shedrach Ayalomeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Lush watercolors depict a multitude of alphabetical objects as Adanah goes to visit her grandfather in a Nigerian village.
Back to School
by Maya Ajmera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Simple text and engaging color photographs from many countries describe children's school experiences. Map. Back matter. Revised edition.
by Maya Ajmera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Simple text and engaging color photographs from many countries describe children's school experiences. Map. Back matter. Revised edition.
Because
by Mo Willems
Illustrator: Amber Ren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A chain of inspirations and efforts results in a child's first experience of an orchestra, which in turn inspires her vocation. Realistic artwork tinged with magic.
by Mo Willems
Illustrator: Amber Ren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A chain of inspirations and efforts results in a child's first experience of an orchestra, which in turn inspires her vocation. Realistic artwork tinged with magic.
Beware of the Crocodile
by Martin Jenkins
Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A whimsical, accessible narration explains the dangers, habits, and facts of these scary reptiles. Bold mixed-media illustrations. Information about crocodiles, index.
by Martin Jenkins
Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A whimsical, accessible narration explains the dangers, habits, and facts of these scary reptiles. Bold mixed-media illustrations. Information about crocodiles, index.
Big Mouth Elizabeth
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Paige Keiser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When second grader Elizabeth tries to join the “Big Mouth Club without having lost any baby teeth, she learns how being left out feels. Expressive black-and-white illustrations.
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Paige Keiser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When second grader Elizabeth tries to join the “Big Mouth Club without having lost any baby teeth, she learns how being left out feels. Expressive black-and-white illustrations.