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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Meet Miss Fancy
by Irene Latham
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young boy living in 1913 Birmingham, Alabama, must find a way to pet a beloved elephant coming to a park in the segregated South. Lush color illustrations
by Irene Latham
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young boy living in 1913 Birmingham, Alabama, must find a way to pet a beloved elephant coming to a park in the segregated South. Lush color illustrations
Moon! Earth's Best Friend
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Stevie Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Learn all about the history and formation of the moon and why it is earth's BFF, told from the perspective of the moon. Whimsical digital colored pencil illustrations.
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Stevie Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Learn all about the history and formation of the moon and why it is earth's BFF, told from the perspective of the moon. Whimsical digital colored pencil illustrations.
Moth
by Isabel Thomas
Illustrator: Daniel Egnéus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Natural selection is vividly evoked in this story of the peppered moth's transformation. Sparse language and striking mixed media, collage, and photoshopped illustrations.
by Isabel Thomas
Illustrator: Daniel Egnéus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Natural selection is vividly evoked in this story of the peppered moth's transformation. Sparse language and striking mixed media, collage, and photoshopped illustrations.
Mr. Scruff
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Rescue dogs and their new owners find companionship. Rhymed text. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Rescue dogs and their new owners find companionship. Rhymed text. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
Mr. Sherman's Cloud
written and illustrated by Habbenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A grumpy man awakens to find himself being drenched by a persistent personal rain cloud. Now what? Delightfully humorous digitally-colored ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Habbenink
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A grumpy man awakens to find himself being drenched by a persistent personal rain cloud. Now what? Delightfully humorous digitally-colored ink illustrations.
Music for Mister Moon
by Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A shy young cellist finally works up the courage to play music for her new friend, Mister Moon. Imaginatively illustrated with mono printed oil inks, colored pencils, and graphite.
by Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A shy young cellist finally works up the courage to play music for her new friend, Mister Moon. Imaginatively illustrated with mono printed oil inks, colored pencils, and graphite.
Muslim Girls Rise
by Saira Mir
Illustrator: Aaliya Jaleel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Nineteen talented, inspiring Muslim women are profiled for their achievements in areas such as activism, education, sports, and science. Colorful digital illustrations. Bibliography.
by Saira Mir
Illustrator: Aaliya Jaleel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Nineteen talented, inspiring Muslim women are profiled for their achievements in areas such as activism, education, sports, and science. Colorful digital illustrations. Bibliography.
My Happy Year by E. Bluebird
written and illustrated by Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Using dates to mark development, a newly hatched Eastern Bluebird describes his first year in simple language and detailed illustrations. Introduction, map, glossary, and references on the end papers.
written and illustrated by Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Using dates to mark development, a newly hatched Eastern Bluebird describes his first year in simple language and detailed illustrations. Introduction, map, glossary, and references on the end papers.
My Papi Has a Motorcycle
by Isabel Quintero
Illustrator: Zeke Peña
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G - Daisy's ride through her village, on the back of her Papi's motorcycle is the memory of home she will keep forever. Vibrant illustrations.
by Isabel Quintero
Illustrator: Zeke Peña
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G - Daisy's ride through her village, on the back of her Papi's motorcycle is the memory of home she will keep forever. Vibrant illustrations.
My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders/Mis Zapatos Y Yo: Cruzando Tres Fronteras
by René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Fabricio Vanden Broeck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Wearing sturdy new shoes from his mother in the United States, a boy and his father travel through rain, mud, mountains, and rivers to join her. Painterly evocative illustrations. Bilingual.
by René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Fabricio Vanden Broeck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Wearing sturdy new shoes from his mother in the United States, a boy and his father travel through rain, mud, mountains, and rivers to join her. Painterly evocative illustrations. Bilingual.
Nighttime Symphony
by Timbaland
Illustrator: Christopher Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A celebration of nature's voice through a storm's wind and rain in a bedtime lullaby. Verse with vibrant full-page illustrations.
by Timbaland
Illustrator: Christopher Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A celebration of nature's voice through a storm's wind and rain in a bedtime lullaby. Verse with vibrant full-page illustrations.
Noah Builds an Ark
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: John Rocco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Watching his father prepare for a storm, Noah builds an ark to protect the creatures in his backyard. Expressive highly-detailed illustrations.
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: John Rocco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Watching his father prepare for a storm, Noah builds an ark to protect the creatures in his backyard. Expressive highly-detailed illustrations.
Noodlephant
by Jacob Kramer
Illustrator: K-Fai Steele
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
An elephant and her friends take on a corrupt justice system run by kangaroos. Free-flowing ink illustrations and a pasta battle lighten the message.
by Jacob Kramer
Illustrator: K-Fai Steele
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
An elephant and her friends take on a corrupt justice system run by kangaroos. Free-flowing ink illustrations and a pasta battle lighten the message.
Not a Bean
by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez
Illustrator: Laura González
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Follow the life of seed pods along with the animals and children who observe them. Photoshopped illustrations. Glossary and note. Spanish words intermingled with the English text.
by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez
Illustrator: Laura González
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Follow the life of seed pods along with the animals and children who observe them. Photoshopped illustrations. Glossary and note. Spanish words intermingled with the English text.
Nya's Long Walk
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Sepia watercolors show the Sudanese desert that Nya and her little sister have to cross for water. An adaptation of Park's novel.
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Sepia watercolors show the Sudanese desert that Nya and her little sister have to cross for water. An adaptation of Park's novel.
Octopus Stew
written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&Gs Ramsey's wild imagination and yen for storytelling saves his grandma from the octopus and him from the stew. Rich oils help spin this tall tale.
written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&Gs Ramsey's wild imagination and yen for storytelling saves his grandma from the octopus and him from the stew. Rich oils help spin this tall tale.
Ojiichan's Gift
by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrator: Genevieve Simms
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Mayumi's Japanese grandfather builds her a special stone garden. When he can no longer live in his own home, she makes a garden for him. Evocative watercolors.
by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrator: Genevieve Simms
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Mayumi's Japanese grandfather builds her a special stone garden. When he can no longer live in his own home, she makes a garden for him. Evocative watercolors.
Old Man of the Sea
by Stella Elia
Illustrator: Weberson Santiago
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
An elderly sailor tells his grandchild about his adventures and love for the continents he has visited. Watercolor illustrations digitally enhanced.
by Stella Elia
Illustrator: Weberson Santiago
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
An elderly sailor tells his grandchild about his adventures and love for the continents he has visited. Watercolor illustrations digitally enhanced.
Olive & Pekoe
by Jacky Davis
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two good friends - playful, puppy Pekoe and older and wiser Olive - enjoy four adventures in the park. Expressive watercolor, ink, and colored pencil illustrations.
by Jacky Davis
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two good friends - playful, puppy Pekoe and older and wiser Olive - enjoy four adventures in the park. Expressive watercolor, ink, and colored pencil illustrations.
Otters, Snails and Tadpole Tails
by Eric Ode
Illustrator: Ruth Harper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Portrayals in verse - both rhymed and unrhymed - of dragonflies, beavers, and many other creatures create an inviting picture of an important ecosystem. Finely detailed, realistic illustrations.
by Eric Ode
Illustrator: Ruth Harper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Portrayals in verse - both rhymed and unrhymed - of dragonflies, beavers, and many other creatures create an inviting picture of an important ecosystem. Finely detailed, realistic illustrations.
Our Flag Was Still There
written and illustrated by Jessie Hartland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Discover the history of the giant flag that inspired the poem that became the national anthem and the woman who sewed it. Whimsical gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jessie Hartland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Discover the history of the giant flag that inspired the poem that became the national anthem and the woman who sewed it. Whimsical gouache illustrations.
Our House Is on Fire
written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
After striking off alone as a very young grade-school student in Sweden, Thunberg became a leading international activist on climate change. Engaging illustrations and sourced quotations.
written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
After striking off alone as a very young grade-school student in Sweden, Thunberg became a leading international activist on climate change. Engaging illustrations and sourced quotations.
Out of This World
by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
The artist grew up in England and lived much of her life in Mexico. Illustrations use watercolor inks and gouache, with hard and soft pencil crayons.
by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
The artist grew up in England and lived much of her life in Mexico. Illustrations use watercolor inks and gouache, with hard and soft pencil crayons.
Panthera Tigris
by Sylvain Alzial
Illustrator: Hélène Rajcak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Book learning will only take you so far. So a scholar learns when encountering an actual tiger. A morality tale with detailed information and graphic illustrations.
by Sylvain Alzial
Illustrator: Hélène Rajcak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Book learning will only take you so far. So a scholar learns when encountering an actual tiger. A morality tale with detailed information and graphic illustrations.
Papa Put A Man on the Moon
by Kristy Dempsey
Illustrator: Sarah Green
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Marthanne's papa worked in a factory manufacturing material for space suits that contribute to the astronauts' success. Colorful digital illustrations.
by Kristy Dempsey
Illustrator: Sarah Green
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Marthanne's papa worked in a factory manufacturing material for space suits that contribute to the astronauts' success. Colorful digital illustrations.