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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Benji, the Bad Day, and Me
by Sally J. Pla
Illustrator: Ken Min
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
When life gives you lemons wrap up in a blanket with your brother. Compassion can sometimes brighten your day. Acrylic and colored pencil illustrations, digitally enhanced.
by Sally J. Pla
Illustrator: Ken Min
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
When life gives you lemons wrap up in a blanket with your brother. Compassion can sometimes brighten your day. Acrylic and colored pencil illustrations, digitally enhanced.
Between the Lines
by Sandra Neil Wallace
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Growing up in the segregated South, Ernie Barnes played football to support his career as an artist, then combined both talents. Evocative watercolor and collage illustrations. Back matter.
by Sandra Neil Wallace
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Growing up in the segregated South, Ernie Barnes played football to support his career as an artist, then combined both talents. Evocative watercolor and collage illustrations. Back matter.
Beyond the Fence
written and illustrated by Maria Gulemetova
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Piggy and Thomas always play whatever Thomas wants, but then one day Piggy meets Wild Pig. Richly colored simple line illustrations.
written and illustrated by Maria Gulemetova
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Piggy and Thomas always play whatever Thomas wants, but then one day Piggy meets Wild Pig. Richly colored simple line illustrations.
Blacksmith's Song
by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
Illustrator: Anna Rich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
f&g - A nine-year-old learns the blacksmith's tradition of pounding out rhythms to guide those escaping on the Underground Railroad. Realistic oil paintings.
by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
Illustrator: Anna Rich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
f&g - A nine-year-old learns the blacksmith's tradition of pounding out rhythms to guide those escaping on the Underground Railroad. Realistic oil paintings.
Blue
written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Shades of blue portray a life-long friendship between a boy and his dog in an emotional story of love, death, and new life. Expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Shades of blue portray a life-long friendship between a boy and his dog in an emotional story of love, death, and new life. Expressive illustrations.
Blue Rider
by Geraldo Valério
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Art helps a little girl escape from her hum-drum urban life. Fantastic colorful collages explode on the pages of this wordless book.
by Geraldo Valério
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Art helps a little girl escape from her hum-drum urban life. Fantastic colorful collages explode on the pages of this wordless book.
Born to Swing
by Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: Michele Wood
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
As a jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer, “Hot Miss Lil” was a trailblazing black woman at the start of the Jazz Age. Bold acrylic illustrations. Detailed back matter.
by Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: Michele Wood
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
As a jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer, “Hot Miss Lil” was a trailblazing black woman at the start of the Jazz Age. Bold acrylic illustrations. Detailed back matter.
Boy
by Phil Cummings
Illustrator: Shane Devries
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Boy can't hear or speak, but he brings peace to his village when he solves the conflict between a dragon and the king and his knights. Humorous digital paintings.
by Phil Cummings
Illustrator: Shane Devries
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Boy can't hear or speak, but he brings peace to his village when he solves the conflict between a dragon and the king and his knights. Humorous digital paintings.
Can I Be Your Dog?
written and illustrated by Troy Cummings
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Amusing illustrations and letters tell the story of a lonely dog who sends letters to the people on Butternnut Street looking for a home.
written and illustrated by Troy Cummings
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Amusing illustrations and letters tell the story of a lonely dog who sends letters to the people on Butternnut Street looking for a home.
Carmela Full of Wishes
by Matt de la Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
On her birthday, a girl accompanies her brother on errands and makes a wish. Her wish comes true, but not in the way she was expecting. Evocative mixed media illustrations. Also available in Spanish Language Edition.
by Matt de la Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
On her birthday, a girl accompanies her brother on errands and makes a wish. Her wish comes true, but not in the way she was expecting. Evocative mixed media illustrations. Also available in Spanish Language Edition.
Counting on Katherine
by Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Dow Phumiruk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Born in 1918, Katherine, meeting the challenges of segregation and job discrimination, landed at the heart of America's space program (NASA) and became a star! Digital scans of watercolors and textures. Back matter.
by Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Dow Phumiruk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Born in 1918, Katherine, meeting the challenges of segregation and job discrimination, landed at the heart of America's space program (NASA) and became a star! Digital scans of watercolors and textures. Back matter.
Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets
by Hena Khan
Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In multiple settings, we see the shapes and traditions of Islam. Colorful mixed-media illustrations reflect Islamic art.
by Hena Khan
Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In multiple settings, we see the shapes and traditions of Islam. Colorful mixed-media illustrations reflect Islamic art.
Dear Substitute
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In a series of letters, a young girl laments her absent teacher's substitute doing things differently. Childlike watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In a series of letters, a young girl laments her absent teacher's substitute doing things differently. Childlike watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Dragon Dancer
by Joyce Chng
Illustrator: Jérémy Pailler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
At the Lunar New Year, Yao and the dragon Shen Long chase away bad luck and welcome in good luck. Flowing boldly colored illustrations.
by Joyce Chng
Illustrator: Jérémy Pailler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
At the Lunar New Year, Yao and the dragon Shen Long chase away bad luck and welcome in good luck. Flowing boldly colored illustrations.
Drawn Together`
by Minh Lê
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
An American boy and his Thai grandfather bond when they discover that they both love drawing. Expressive mixed media illustrations.
by Minh Lê
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
An American boy and his Thai grandfather bond when they discover that they both love drawing. Expressive mixed media illustrations.
Dreamers
written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A celebrated Mexican author and illustrator remembers how the public library helped her make a new home in America. Vibrant collages. Back matter. Also available in Spanish.
written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A celebrated Mexican author and illustrator remembers how the public library helped her make a new home in America. Vibrant collages. Back matter. Also available in Spanish.
Every Month Is a New Year
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Susan L. Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Learn about the celebrations of different ”new years” from a variety of countries month by month in poetry and glorious collage art. Includes abundant background information.
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Susan L. Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Learn about the celebrations of different ”new years” from a variety of countries month by month in poetry and glorious collage art. Includes abundant background information.
Exoplanets
by Seymour Simon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Are there other planets like earth circling distant suns? Are their life forms listening to us? Recent scientific discoveries suggest the possibility. Photographs, glossary.
by Seymour Simon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Are there other planets like earth circling distant suns? Are their life forms listening to us? Recent scientific discoveries suggest the possibility. Photographs, glossary.
Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair
by Kate Messner
Illustrator: Heather Ross
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Two classroom pet mice want to create their own science fair experiment, not just be the experiment. Cartoon-style digital illustrations.
by Kate Messner
Illustrator: Heather Ross
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Two classroom pet mice want to create their own science fair experiment, not just be the experiment. Cartoon-style digital illustrations.
Fiona's Little Accident
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Fiona, excited to present her volcano with Felix at show-and-tell in school, doesn't have time to go to the bathroom. Oops! Bright watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Fiona, excited to present her volcano with Felix at show-and-tell in school, doesn't have time to go to the bathroom. Oops! Bright watercolor illustrations.
First Laugh: Welcome, Baby!
by Rose Ann Tahe
Illustrator: Jonathan Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A Navajo family welcomes a new baby and holds a First Laugh Ceremony when grandfather finally gets baby to laugh. Pencil, acrylic, and digital illustrations.
by Rose Ann Tahe
Illustrator: Jonathan Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A Navajo family welcomes a new baby and holds a First Laugh Ceremony when grandfather finally gets baby to laugh. Pencil, acrylic, and digital illustrations.
Florette
written and illustrated by Anna Walker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Missing ther garden she left behind when her family moved to the city, Florette finds a way to create a new garden. Playful watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anna Walker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Missing ther garden she left behind when her family moved to the city, Florette finds a way to create a new garden. Playful watercolor illustrations.
Flying Deep
by Michelle Cusolito
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In blank verse, we follow the descent of a deep-sea submersible to the ocean floor. Back matter, index, and further reading.
by Michelle Cusolito
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In blank verse, we follow the descent of a deep-sea submersible to the ocean floor. Back matter, index, and further reading.
Fossil by Fossil
by Sara Levine
Illustrator: T. S. Spookytooth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Humans and dinosaurs share many skeletal features but the dinosaur's bones made them unique. Acrylic and computer artwork. Well sourced.
by Sara Levine
Illustrator: T. S. Spookytooth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Humans and dinosaurs share many skeletal features but the dinosaur's bones made them unique. Acrylic and computer artwork. Well sourced.
Freddie Mole, Lion Tamer
by Alexander McCall Smith
Illustrator: Kate Hindley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Young Freddie finds a circus job to help his family and substitutes when needed until he lands in the perfect position. Ink sketches appear throughout.
by Alexander McCall Smith
Illustrator: Kate Hindley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Young Freddie finds a circus job to help his family and substitutes when needed until he lands in the perfect position. Ink sketches appear throughout.