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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Pavel and the Tree Army
by Heidi Smith Hyde
Illustrator: Elisa Vavouri
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
During the Depression, a Russian Jewish immigrant joins the Civilian Conservation Corps. He learns to plant trees and face down bigotry. Author's note. Expressive figures in watercolor illustrations.
by Heidi Smith Hyde
Illustrator: Elisa Vavouri
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
During the Depression, a Russian Jewish immigrant joins the Civilian Conservation Corps. He learns to plant trees and face down bigotry. Author's note. Expressive figures in watercolor illustrations.
Paws + Edward
by Espen Dekko
Illustrator: Mari Kanstad Johnsen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Vivid watercolor illustrations capture a young boy's joys and finally sorrow when his beloved dog reaches the end of life.
by Espen Dekko
Illustrator: Mari Kanstad Johnsen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Vivid watercolor illustrations capture a young boy's joys and finally sorrow when his beloved dog reaches the end of life.
Pencil: A Story with a Point
by Ann Ingalls
Illustrator: Dean Griffiths
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Pencil is exiled after Jackson, a young black boy, gets a tablet. But Pencil and his junk-drawer friends make a case for hands-on creativity. Playful digitally created illustrations.
by Ann Ingalls
Illustrator: Dean Griffiths
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Pencil is exiled after Jackson, a young black boy, gets a tablet. But Pencil and his junk-drawer friends make a case for hands-on creativity. Playful digitally created illustrations.
Pick a Pumpkin
by Patricia Toht
Illustrator: Jarvis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
It's almost Halloween, and a family heads out to pick a pumpkin for carving into a Jack-o-Lantern. Pencil, chalk and paint illustrations in seasonal colors.
by Patricia Toht
Illustrator: Jarvis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
It's almost Halloween, and a family heads out to pick a pumpkin for carving into a Jack-o-Lantern. Pencil, chalk and paint illustrations in seasonal colors.
Planting Stories
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Coming from Puerto Rico, Pura Belpré brought Spanish-language stories to the children at the New York Public Library, beginning with tales from her abuela (grandmother). Warm earth-tone digital illustrations. Available in Spanish.
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Coming from Puerto Rico, Pura Belpré brought Spanish-language stories to the children at the New York Public Library, beginning with tales from her abuela (grandmother). Warm earth-tone digital illustrations. Available in Spanish.
Popcorn Country
by Cris Peterson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Popcorn can only be created from a specific strain of corn. Bright, clear photographs describe the journey from farm to product to consumption.
by Cris Peterson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Popcorn can only be created from a specific strain of corn. Bright, clear photographs describe the journey from farm to product to consumption.
Predator and Prey
by Susannah Buhrman-Deever
Illustrator: Bert Kitchen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In poems (often in two voices) and explanatory text, the mysterious relationship between predator and prey is explored. Expressive watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by Susannah Buhrman-Deever
Illustrator: Bert Kitchen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In poems (often in two voices) and explanatory text, the mysterious relationship between predator and prey is explored. Expressive watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Puma Dreams
by Tony Johnston
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Somewhere in farm country, a young girl dreams of seeing the elusive and endangered puma. Western landscapes in acrylics, colored pencil, and ink.
by Tony Johnston
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Somewhere in farm country, a young girl dreams of seeing the elusive and endangered puma. Western landscapes in acrylics, colored pencil, and ink.
Rabbit and the Motorbike
by Kate Hoefler
Illustrator: Sarah Jacoby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A fearful hare finds the courage to seek new experiences. Evocative mixed-media illustrations.
by Kate Hoefler
Illustrator: Sarah Jacoby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A fearful hare finds the courage to seek new experiences. Evocative mixed-media illustrations.
Ruby's Sword
by Jacqueline Véissid
Illustrator: Paola Zakimi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Ruby shares two of the “swords” she has found with her older brothers, but they still won't let her play with them. Then it rains. Watercolor and pencil digital illustrations.
by Jacqueline Véissid
Illustrator: Paola Zakimi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Ruby shares two of the “swords” she has found with her older brothers, but they still won't let her play with them. Then it rains. Watercolor and pencil digital illustrations.
Samuel Morse, That's Who!
by Tracy Nelson Maurer
Illustrator: el primo Ramón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Engaging illustrations and clear language explain Morse's shift from painterly ambitions to developing a messaging system using electricity. The flip-side of the jacket includes the code.
by Tracy Nelson Maurer
Illustrator: el primo Ramón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Engaging illustrations and clear language explain Morse's shift from painterly ambitions to developing a messaging system using electricity. The flip-side of the jacket includes the code.
Secret Engineer
written and illustrated by Rachel Dougherty
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Whimsical illustrations with technical drawings accompany the story of one woman's victory as she helps her sick engineer husband build the Brooklyn Bridge.
written and illustrated by Rachel Dougherty
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Whimsical illustrations with technical drawings accompany the story of one woman's victory as she helps her sick engineer husband build the Brooklyn Bridge.
See Me Play
written and illustrated by Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&Gs - A pack of dogs chase after a ball which takes them on a hilarious journey. Simple sentences, repetition, and lively watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&Gs - A pack of dogs chase after a ball which takes them on a hilarious journey. Simple sentences, repetition, and lively watercolor illustrations.
Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Inspired Generations
by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrator: Keith Mallett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
The inspiration of the African American national anthem throughout history is celebrated with rich text and freehand-drawn illustrations, digitally painted.
by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrator: Keith Mallett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
The inspiration of the African American national anthem throughout history is celebrated with rich text and freehand-drawn illustrations, digitally painted.
Small in the City
written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G A small child offers advice and posts flyers while searching for his lost cat during a snowstorm. Dramatic ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations in graphic format panels.
written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
F&G A small child offers advice and posts flyers while searching for his lost cat during a snowstorm. Dramatic ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations in graphic format panels.
Small World
by Ishta Mercurio
Illustrator: Jen Corace
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Nanda grows from a baby to a young woman, learning and interacting with the world, until she is ready to blast into space. Radiant gouache, ink, and pencil illustrations.
by Ishta Mercurio
Illustrator: Jen Corace
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Nanda grows from a baby to a young woman, learning and interacting with the world, until she is ready to blast into space. Radiant gouache, ink, and pencil illustrations.
Smell My Foot! (Chick and Brain series)
written and illustrated by Cece Bell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Polite but naive Chick almost becomes Spot the dog's lunch until he is saved by his friend Brain. Watercolor-and-ink comic-book panel illustrations.
written and illustrated by Cece Bell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Polite but naive Chick almost becomes Spot the dog's lunch until he is saved by his friend Brain. Watercolor-and-ink comic-book panel illustrations.
Snow Leopard
by Justin Anderson
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Set among evocative watercolor illustrations, a zoologist and guide search for the rare and endangered snow leopard in the Indian Himalayas. Animal facts appear throughout.
by Justin Anderson
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Set among evocative watercolor illustrations, a zoologist and guide search for the rare and endangered snow leopard in the Indian Himalayas. Animal facts appear throughout.
Snowman - Cold = Puddle
by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Springtime and the changes it brings in nature are explored in a series of equation poems that bring together math, science, and poetry. Detailed collage illustrations.
by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Springtime and the changes it brings in nature are explored in a series of equation poems that bring together math, science, and poetry. Detailed collage illustrations.
Snug Harbor Stories
written and illustrated by Will Henry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
This collection of graphic short stories of kids and their adventures is filled with comedy and life lessons. Humorous graphic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Will Henry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
This collection of graphic short stories of kids and their adventures is filled with comedy and life lessons. Humorous graphic illustrations.
Soldier for Equality
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A Mexican-American advances equality for his Latinx community through teaching, service in the World War I army, and creation of a civil rights organization. Stylized illustrations. Notes, timeline, glossary, and bibliography.
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A Mexican-American advances equality for his Latinx community through teaching, service in the World War I army, and creation of a civil rights organization. Stylized illustrations. Notes, timeline, glossary, and bibliography.
Song of the River
by Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Kimberly Andrews
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A child from the mountains follows a trickle of water that leads to a creek, then a river, and finally to the sea. Unusual, mysterious illustrations.
by Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Kimberly Andrews
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A child from the mountains follows a trickle of water that leads to a creek, then a river, and finally to the sea. Unusual, mysterious illustrations.
Spot & Dot
written and illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Spot the cat pursues the missing dog Dot through the city in this intricately drawn wordless picture book with black-and-white cross-hatched illustrations.
written and illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Spot the cat pursues the missing dog Dot through the city in this intricately drawn wordless picture book with black-and-white cross-hatched illustrations.
Spotted Tail
by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
Illustrator: Jim Yellowhawk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Lakota leader Spotted Tail led his people in battle but really desired peace and was always willing to negotiate with the U. S. government. Boldly colored imaginative illustrations.
by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
Illustrator: Jim Yellowhawk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Lakota leader Spotted Tail led his people in battle but really desired peace and was always willing to negotiate with the U. S. government. Boldly colored imaginative illustrations.
Stormy
written and illustrated by Guojing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In this wordless picture book, a shy stray dog is slow to trust a friendly woman in the park. Poignant full-page and small-panel pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Guojing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In this wordless picture book, a shy stray dog is slow to trust a friendly woman in the park. Poignant full-page and small-panel pencil and watercolor illustrations.