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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Otis and Will Discover the Deep
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Katherine Roy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Otis Barton, engineer, and Will Beebe, explorer, dive into the ocean in a small, spherical diving tank, breaking records along the way. Lively gouache and ink illustrations. Back matter.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Katherine Roy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Otis Barton, engineer, and Will Beebe, explorer, dive into the ocean in a small, spherical diving tank, breaking records along the way. Lively gouache and ink illustrations. Back matter.
Over on a Desert Somewhere in the World
by Marianne Berkes
Illustrator: Jill Dubin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This song describes animal families living in many parts of the world. Cut paper illustrations. Back matter includes music and activities.
by Marianne Berkes
Illustrator: Jill Dubin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This song describes animal families living in many parts of the world. Cut paper illustrations. Back matter includes music and activities.
P Is for Pterodactyl
by Raj Halder
Illustrator: Maria Beddia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC This witty and unique alphabet book points out the many absurdities of the English language. Large, colorful pictures and a pronunciation glossary.
by Raj Halder
Illustrator: Maria Beddia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC This witty and unique alphabet book points out the many absurdities of the English language. Large, colorful pictures and a pronunciation glossary.
Power Forward
by Hena Khan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
After Zayd skips orchestra rehearsal to practice basketball, his parents forbid him to play ball for weeks. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
by Hena Khan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
After Zayd skips orchestra rehearsal to practice basketball, his parents forbid him to play ball for weeks. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Prickly Hedgehogs!
written and illustrated by Jane McGuinness
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A hedgehog and her little hoglets enter the world, hunt food, and store up fat for their winter hibernation. Appealing mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
written and illustrated by Jane McGuinness
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A hedgehog and her little hoglets enter the world, hunt food, and store up fat for their winter hibernation. Appealing mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Prince & Knight
by Daniel Haack
Illustrator: Stevie Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
When a dragon attacks the kingdom, a knight arrives to save the day. Could he rescue the prince's heart as well? Digital illustrations.
by Daniel Haack
Illustrator: Stevie Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
When a dragon attacks the kingdom, a knight arrives to save the day. Could he rescue the prince's heart as well? Digital illustrations.
Queen Panda Can't Sleep
by Susanna Isern
Illustrator: Mariana Ruiz Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
From across the kingdom, loyal subjects try to help the queen sleep. When a contagious yawn causes everyone else to fall asleep, the queen is left to do all the work herself. Colorful, full page folk art.
by Susanna Isern
Illustrator: Mariana Ruiz Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
From across the kingdom, loyal subjects try to help the queen sleep. When a contagious yawn causes everyone else to fall asleep, the queen is left to do all the work herself. Colorful, full page folk art.
Rocket the Brave!
written and illustrated by Tad Hills
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Chasing a butterfly into the scary forest, Rocket the dog makes a new friend and learns that he too can be brave. Engaging colored pencil and acrylic paint illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tad Hills
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Chasing a butterfly into the scary forest, Rocket the dog makes a new friend and learns that he too can be brave. Engaging colored pencil and acrylic paint illustrations.
Rodent Rascals
written and illustrated by Roxie Munro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Details about 21 familiar and unusual rodents are shown in actual size. Ink and acrylic illustrations. Well sourced.
written and illustrated by Roxie Munro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Details about 21 familiar and unusual rodents are shown in actual size. Ink and acrylic illustrations. Well sourced.
Rooster Summer
by Robert Heidbreder
Illustrator: Madeline Kloepper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Siblings, spending the summer playing on their grandparents farm, experience barnyard adventures and deepening relationships. Free verse poetry flows through remembered events. Mixed-media illustrations.
by Robert Heidbreder
Illustrator: Madeline Kloepper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Siblings, spending the summer playing on their grandparents farm, experience barnyard adventures and deepening relationships. Free verse poetry flows through remembered events. Mixed-media illustrations.
Ruby in the Ruins
written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
London, 1945: Ruby's father is home from the war, a changed and distant man. Ruby spends her days clambering on post-Blitz rubble, until one day she falls. Warm ink, gouache and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
London, 1945: Ruby's father is home from the war, a changed and distant man. Ruby spends her days clambering on post-Blitz rubble, until one day she falls. Warm ink, gouache and watercolor illustrations.
Saffron Ice Cream
written and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
As the family sets out on their first trip to Coney Island, young Rashin remembers a similar outing to the beach in Iran. Vibrant, joyful two-page spreads of oil and acrylic artwork.
written and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
As the family sets out on their first trip to Coney Island, young Rashin remembers a similar outing to the beach in Iran. Vibrant, joyful two-page spreads of oil and acrylic artwork.
Salamander Sky
by Katy Farber
Illustrator: Meg Sodano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC April waits with her scientist mother for the night when they will help save salamanders by carrying them across a road. Ink, crayon, pencil, and digital illustrations.
by Katy Farber
Illustrator: Meg Sodano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC April waits with her scientist mother for the night when they will help save salamanders by carrying them across a road. Ink, crayon, pencil, and digital illustrations.
Saturday is Swimming Day
written and illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A young girl is frightened of taking swimming lessons but overcomes her fears with the help of an understanding instructor. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A young girl is frightened of taking swimming lessons but overcomes her fears with the help of an understanding instructor. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations.
Sea Creatures from the Sky
written and illustrated by Ricardo Cortés
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC A shark cannot convince its friends that it really had been abducted by aliens. Told in verse. Vivid, multimedia illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ricardo Cortés
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC A shark cannot convince its friends that it really had been abducted by aliens. Told in verse. Vivid, multimedia illustrations.
See How We Move!
written and illustrated by Scot Ritchie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Explains how the mind and body work together and offers advice on safe exercising, coping with anxiety, and eating healthy foods. Colorful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Scot Ritchie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Explains how the mind and body work together and offers advice on safe exercising, coping with anxiety, and eating healthy foods. Colorful digital illustrations.
Shaking Things Up
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: 13 Extraordinary Women
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In poetic prose, stories of well-known and lesser-known women who, through persistence and courage, impacted the world, are paired with artists' vibrant representations. Time line. Back matter.
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: 13 Extraordinary Women
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In poetic prose, stories of well-known and lesser-known women who, through persistence and courage, impacted the world, are paired with artists' vibrant representations. Time line. Back matter.
Sing a Song of Seasons
selected by Fiona Waters
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Hundreds of sparkling poems echo and display a natural world as seen and heard by poets, famous, unfamiliar, or anonymous. Large palette of two-page spread, mixed-media illustrations.
selected by Fiona Waters
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Hundreds of sparkling poems echo and display a natural world as seen and heard by poets, famous, unfamiliar, or anonymous. Large palette of two-page spread, mixed-media illustrations.
Siuluk The Last Tuniq
by Nadia Sammurtok
Illustrator: Rob Nix
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The last remaining member of a Canadian “giant” tribe, a shy loner must prove his legendary strength to neighboring skeptics. Haunting amber palettes.
by Nadia Sammurtok
Illustrator: Rob Nix
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The last remaining member of a Canadian “giant” tribe, a shy loner must prove his legendary strength to neighboring skeptics. Haunting amber palettes.
Snail Mail
by Samantha Berger
Illustrator: Julia Patton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Texting and email are speedy, but when a message needs to b e really special, there's nothing like a handwritten letter. Follow the dauntless snails who deliver it. Whimsical illustrations.
by Samantha Berger
Illustrator: Julia Patton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Texting and email are speedy, but when a message needs to b e really special, there's nothing like a handwritten letter. Follow the dauntless snails who deliver it. Whimsical illustrations.
Someone New
written and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This companion to I'm New Here tells the story of the arrival of immigrant children from the American kids' points of view. Sensitive digital watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This companion to I'm New Here tells the story of the arrival of immigrant children from the American kids' points of view. Sensitive digital watercolor illustrations.
Speediest! (Extreme Animals Series)
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The speediest and stinkiest animals are presented as they seek to hunt prey and escape being prey. Striking illustrations from torn and cut paper.
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The speediest and stinkiest animals are presented as they seek to hunt prey and escape being prey. Striking illustrations from torn and cut paper.
Spiders! Strange and Wonderful
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Henderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Explore accessible information about 46,000 species, expanded by other sources. Precise, detailed drawings.
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Henderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Explore accessible information about 46,000 species, expanded by other sources. Precise, detailed drawings.
Spring After Spring
written and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Carson, a talented scientist and writer, proved that pesticides poisoned birds and other animals. Her work led to some of the earliest environmental laws. Gentle illustrations. Well sourced.
written and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Carson, a talented scientist and writer, proved that pesticides poisoned birds and other animals. Her work led to some of the earliest environmental laws. Gentle illustrations. Well sourced.
Starstruck
by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A visit to the planetarium at age 9 left Neil DeGrasse Tyson completely star struck. He grew up to study the mysteries of the universe. Brightly colored illustrations.
by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A visit to the planetarium at age 9 left Neil DeGrasse Tyson completely star struck. He grew up to study the mysteries of the universe. Brightly colored illustrations.