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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The Magic Boat
by Kit Pearson
Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young child overcomes her shyness to make a new friend and shares her imagined adventures in a magic boat. Emotive watercolor and Photoshopped images. Also available in French.
by Kit Pearson
Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young child overcomes her shyness to make a new friend and shares her imagined adventures in a magic boat. Emotive watercolor and Photoshopped images. Also available in French.
The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden
by Heather Smith
Illustrator: Rachel Wada
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
After a devastatign tsunami, a man finds a way to hep the bereaved ease the pain from their losses. Japanese-inspired watercolors with ink and pencil.
by Heather Smith
Illustrator: Rachel Wada
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
After a devastatign tsunami, a man finds a way to hep the bereaved ease the pain from their losses. Japanese-inspired watercolors with ink and pencil.
The Pirate Tree
by Brigita Orel
Illustrator: Jennie Poh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A lonely boy and an imaginative girl become friends in a heartening, realistic way. Impressionistic mixed media illustrations compliment the text perfectly.
by Brigita Orel
Illustrator: Jennie Poh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A lonely boy and an imaginative girl become friends in a heartening, realistic way. Impressionistic mixed media illustrations compliment the text perfectly.
The Powwow Thief
by Joseph Bruchac
Illustrator: Dale Deforest
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Marie and Jamie, Native American twins, find the feathered thief who stole their grandma's beaded necklace from their powwow sales table. Brightly colored digital illustrations.
by Joseph Bruchac
Illustrator: Dale Deforest
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Marie and Jamie, Native American twins, find the feathered thief who stole their grandma's beaded necklace from their powwow sales table. Brightly colored digital illustrations.
The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems
selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Rhymes and free verse by more than two dozen poets provide humorous, lyrical, and practical answers to how-to questions. Soft, evocative painted illustrations.
selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Rhymes and free verse by more than two dozen poets provide humorous, lyrical, and practical answers to how-to questions. Soft, evocative painted illustrations.
The Proudest Blue
by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Faizah is excited for her older sister, Asiya, for whom it is the first day of wearing hijab. Unfortunately, not everyone sees the day as something to celebrate. Bold, colorful illustrations.
by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Faizah is excited for her older sister, Asiya, for whom it is the first day of wearing hijab. Unfortunately, not everyone sees the day as something to celebrate. Bold, colorful illustrations.
The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories (Fox and Chick series)
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two very different personalities encounter three separate situations, and their reactions generate laughter and empathy. Panel illustrations and thought balloons add to the humor.
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Two very different personalities encounter three separate situations, and their reactions generate laughter and empathy. Panel illustrations and thought balloons add to the humor.
The Singing Rock & Other Brand-New Fairy Tales
by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
Illustrator: Simini Blocker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Four funny original fairy tales introduce a determined genie, a creature that cannot be silenced, a jealous sorcerer, and a vain ogre. Cartoonish graphic art.
by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
Illustrator: Simini Blocker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Four funny original fairy tales introduce a determined genie, a creature that cannot be silenced, a jealous sorcerer, and a vain ogre. Cartoonish graphic art.
The Spacesuit
by Alison Donald
Illustrator: Ariel Landy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When the Apollo astronauts went to the moon, they needed a special spacesuit. Meet Ellie Foraker and learn how she made their spacesuits. Whimsical illustrations.
by Alison Donald
Illustrator: Ariel Landy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When the Apollo astronauts went to the moon, they needed a special spacesuit. Meet Ellie Foraker and learn how she made their spacesuits. Whimsical illustrations.
The Space Walk
written and illustrated by Brian Biggs
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When Randolph goes on a space walk, after following instructions from “Ground Control,” he has an exciting experience. Colorful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Brian Biggs
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When Randolph goes on a space walk, after following instructions from “Ground Control,” he has an exciting experience. Colorful digital illustrations.
The Story of Movie Star Anna May Wong
by Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Lin Wang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
This history of the Chinese in America and the early film industry and fictionalized biography of the internationally famous actor includes a glossary, sources, and archival photos.
by Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Lin Wang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
This history of the Chinese in America and the early film industry and fictionalized biography of the internationally famous actor includes a glossary, sources, and archival photos.
The Thing about Bees
written and illustrated by Shabazz Larkin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A father explains to his sons that although bees sting and can be scary, their role in pollination makes them necessary and important. Original mixed-media illustrations. Backmatter.
written and illustrated by Shabazz Larkin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A father explains to his sons that although bees sting and can be scary, their role in pollination makes them necessary and important. Original mixed-media illustrations. Backmatter.
The Tide
by Clare Helen Welsh
Illustrator: Ashling Lindsay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A little girl helps her grandpa enjoy their day at the beach, even though she realizes that he has problems remembering everyday experiences. Evocative illustrations.
by Clare Helen Welsh
Illustrator: Ashling Lindsay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A little girl helps her grandpa enjoy their day at the beach, even though she realizes that he has problems remembering everyday experiences. Evocative illustrations.
The Tree and Me
written and illustrated by Deborah Zemke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In words and cartoon sketches on every page, a young artist describes how she and her classmates work to save a 250-year-old tree.
written and illustrated by Deborah Zemke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
In words and cartoon sketches on every page, a young artist describes how she and her classmates work to save a 250-year-old tree.
The Upper Case
by Tara Lazar
Illustrator: Ross MacDonald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Private I sets out to find missing letters, encountering his punctuation friends performing their usual functions. A witty, pun-filled, word-play romp. Humorous bold color illustrations.
by Tara Lazar
Illustrator: Ross MacDonald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Private I sets out to find missing letters, encountering his punctuation friends performing their usual functions. A witty, pun-filled, word-play romp. Humorous bold color illustrations.
This Is My Fort! (Monkey & Cake series)
by Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Cake builds a “no-monkey” fort. Monkey has an idea to reunite himself with Cake. Humorous illustrations and speech balloons.
by Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Cake builds a “no-monkey” fort. Monkey has an idea to reunite himself with Cake. Humorous illustrations and speech balloons.
Three Cheers for Kid McGear!
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Kid McGear wants to be on the construction crew, but is turned away. Kid earns his way on to the team. Illustrations are in neocolor wax oil crayons.
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Kid McGear wants to be on the construction crew, but is turned away. Kid earns his way on to the team. Illustrations are in neocolor wax oil crayons.
Thukpa for All
by Prada Ram
Illustrator: Shilpa Ranade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Excited that his grandmother is making his favorite Tibetan noodle soup, Tsering invites friends to join them. Will there be enough? Bright folk art-style illustrations.
by Prada Ram
Illustrator: Shilpa Ranade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Excited that his grandmother is making his favorite Tibetan noodle soup, Tsering invites friends to join them. Will there be enough? Bright folk art-style illustrations.
Thurgood
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Born in segregated Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall spent his life fighting discrimination and became the first African-American Supreme Court justice. Dramatic collage and watercolor illustrations.
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Born in segregated Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall spent his life fighting discrimination and became the first African-American Supreme Court justice. Dramatic collage and watercolor illustrations.
Tiny Feet Between the Mountains
written and illustrated by Hanna Cha
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When the sun disappears from the sky, tiny Soe-In volunteers to find the spirit tiger and see what is wrong. Boldly colored mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Hanna Cha
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
When the sun disappears from the sky, tiny Soe-In volunteers to find the spirit tiger and see what is wrong. Boldly colored mixed-media illustrations.
Titanosaur
by Dr. José Luis Carballido
Illustrator: Florencia Gigena
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Paleontologists discover, excavate, transport, assemble, and replicate the largest known dinosaur skeleton. Full-page colorful illustrations and photographs.
by Dr. José Luis Carballido
Illustrator: Florencia Gigena
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Paleontologists discover, excavate, transport, assemble, and replicate the largest known dinosaur skeleton. Full-page colorful illustrations and photographs.
Trucker and Train
by Hannah Stark
Illustrator: Bob Kolar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A big, tough semi becomes jealous of a bigger, more powerful train. Is it better to be feared or appreciated? Jaunty mid-century style illustrations.
by Hannah Stark
Illustrator: Bob Kolar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A big, tough semi becomes jealous of a bigger, more powerful train. Is it better to be feared or appreciated? Jaunty mid-century style illustrations.
Two Brothers, Four Hands
by Jan Greenberg
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
ARC The relationship between a sculptor and his gifted, artistic brother is explored through family dynamics and early 20th century events. Photoshopped paint and ink illustrations. Timeline, notes, bibliography.
by Jan Greenberg
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
ARC The relationship between a sculptor and his gifted, artistic brother is explored through family dynamics and early 20th century events. Photoshopped paint and ink illustrations. Timeline, notes, bibliography.
Ultrabot's First Playdate
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Can a gigantic robot find a playmate with the kid next door? Precise illustrations playfully capture the comical contrasts between the two new friends.
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
Can a gigantic robot find a playmate with the kid next door? Precise illustrations playfully capture the comical contrasts between the two new friends.
Under My Hijab
by Hena Khan
Illustrator: Aaliya Jaleel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young girl observes six inspiring women and the unique ways they each wear their hijab. Colorful, detailed photoshopped illustrations.
by Hena Khan
Illustrator: Aaliya Jaleel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2019
A young girl observes six inspiring women and the unique ways they each wear their hijab. Colorful, detailed photoshopped illustrations.