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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Stinkiest! (Extreme Animals Series)
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The stinkiest animals are presented as they seek to hunt and escape being prey themselves. Striking illustrations from torn and cut paper. [list with speediest]
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The stinkiest animals are presented as they seek to hunt and escape being prey themselves. Striking illustrations from torn and cut paper. [list with speediest]
Stop That Yawn!
by Caron Levis
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Hilarious illustrations rendered in digitally colored india ink accompany this fantastic tall tale of young Gabby's efforts to stay awake all night.
by Caron Levis
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Hilarious illustrations rendered in digitally colored india ink accompany this fantastic tall tale of young Gabby's efforts to stay awake all night.
Stumpkin
written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A stumpless pumpkin goes unpurchased when carving time comes—until someone gives him the perfect home. The illustrations' clever use of page turns builds suspense.
written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A stumpless pumpkin goes unpurchased when carving time comes—until someone gives him the perfect home. The illustrations' clever use of page turns builds suspense.
Take Your Octopus to School Day
by Audrey Vernick
Illustrator: Diana Schoenbrun
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Sam takes Thurgood, his eight tentacle best friend, to show and tell with unexpected results. Humorous mixed-media illustrations.
by Audrey Vernick
Illustrator: Diana Schoenbrun
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Sam takes Thurgood, his eight tentacle best friend, to show and tell with unexpected results. Humorous mixed-media illustrations.
Ten Cents a Pound
by Nhung N. Tran-Davies
Illustrator: Josée Bisaillon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A Vietnamese mother's desire for her daughter to get an education and be free is countered by the daughter's concern for her mother. Simple, moving illustrationd
by Nhung N. Tran-Davies
Illustrator: Josée Bisaillon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A Vietnamese mother's desire for her daughter to get an education and be free is countered by the daughter's concern for her mother. Simple, moving illustrationd
Terrific Tongues
by Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Jia Liu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Various shapes of tongues of a multitude of creatures enable them to perform many tasks. Informative, colorful, digital illustrations. Back matter.
by Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Jia Liu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Various shapes of tongues of a multitude of creatures enable them to perform many tasks. Informative, colorful, digital illustrations. Back matter.
Thank You, Crow
by Michael Minkovitz
Illustrator: Jose D. Medina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC Sebastian helps a crow in distress and the crow repays him with random gifts...or are they? Delightfully simple illustrations enchant.
by Michael Minkovitz
Illustrator: Jose D. Medina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
ARC Sebastian helps a crow in distress and the crow repays him with random gifts...or are they? Delightfully simple illustrations enchant.
The 5 O'Clock Band
by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A walk through his New Orleans neighborhood gives a young boy a strong feeling for his traditions and musical heritage. Colorful collage illustrations. Back matter.
by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A walk through his New Orleans neighborhood gives a young boy a strong feeling for his traditions and musical heritage. Colorful collage illustrations. Back matter.
The Breaking News
written and illustrated by Sarah Lynne Reul
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Charcoal illustrations capture a family's sadness when distressing news reaches them via the TV. The young narrator tries to ameliorate things and finds a way.
written and illustrated by Sarah Lynne Reul
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Charcoal illustrations capture a family's sadness when distressing news reaches them via the TV. The young narrator tries to ameliorate things and finds a way.
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs
by Kate Messner
Illustrator: Matthew Forsythe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
When he noticed that the coral reefs he loved were beginning to die, Ken Nedimayer developed a method for restoring them. Colorful batik-style illustrations. Back matter.
by Kate Messner
Illustrator: Matthew Forsythe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
When he noticed that the coral reefs he loved were beginning to die, Ken Nedimayer developed a method for restoring them. Colorful batik-style illustrations. Back matter.
The Cherry Pie Princess
by Vivian French
Illustrator: Marta Kissi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
With some help from a tall jester and a dwarf, Princess Peony sets out to “widen her world” and save her brother, the prince. Black-and-white illustrations throughout.
by Vivian French
Illustrator: Marta Kissi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
With some help from a tall jester and a dwarf, Princess Peony sets out to “widen her world” and save her brother, the prince. Black-and-white illustrations throughout.
The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes
by Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This retelling of a classic fairy tale is inspired by the ban on Western literature during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Traditional representations in watercolors, pen, and ink. Back story.
by Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This retelling of a classic fairy tale is inspired by the ban on Western literature during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Traditional representations in watercolors, pen, and ink. Back story.
The Dam
by David Almond
Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A young girl plays an homage on her fiddle to a village about to be flooded because of the new dam. Moody, haunting illustrations.
by David Almond
Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A young girl plays an homage on her fiddle to a village about to be flooded because of the new dam. Moody, haunting illustrations.
The Day Dad Joined My Soccer Team
by Maureen Fergus
Illustrator: Mike Lowery
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A dad, misunderstanding a coach's request, runs on to the field to play! His son must teach him sportsmanlike behavior. Bright cartoon-like illustrations.
by Maureen Fergus
Illustrator: Mike Lowery
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A dad, misunderstanding a coach's request, runs on to the field to play! His son must teach him sportsmanlike behavior. Bright cartoon-like illustrations.
The Day You Begin
by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Also available in Spanish. However different children may feel from their classmates, this lyrical celebration of differences offers the promise of friendship and discovery. Colorful multimedia illustrations.
by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Also available in Spanish. However different children may feel from their classmates, this lyrical celebration of differences offers the promise of friendship and discovery. Colorful multimedia illustrations.
The Enchanted Nightingale
written by Bernadette Watts
Illustrator: Bernadette Watts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A magical flower enables Joringel to rescue his beloved from a witch's spell. Colorful, mystical illustrations.
written by Bernadette Watts
Illustrator: Bernadette Watts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A magical flower enables Joringel to rescue his beloved from a witch's spell. Colorful, mystical illustrations.
The Field
by Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In a debut book for both author and artist, children play soccer in a joyful mix of Creole and English, with exuberant paintings full of movement.
by Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In a debut book for both author and artist, children play soccer in a joyful mix of Creole and English, with exuberant paintings full of movement.
The Flying Girl
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The dreams and courage of the first female solo pilot changed history. Mixed media illustrations and narrative back matter.
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The dreams and courage of the first female solo pilot changed history. Mixed media illustrations and narrative back matter.
The Great Dictionary Caper
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Eric Comstock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Discover what happens when words escape from the dictionary and unite in new formations. Humorous examples of onomatopoeia, palindromes, and more. Digital illustrations.
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Eric Comstock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Discover what happens when words escape from the dictionary and unite in new formations. Humorous examples of onomatopoeia, palindromes, and more. Digital illustrations.
The Little Pig, The Bicycle, and The Moon
by Pierrette Dubé
Illustrator: Orbie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
An array of animals offer ideas of how to help Little Pig learn to ride a bike. Humorous, gentle illustrations portray their efforts.
by Pierrette Dubé
Illustrator: Orbie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
An array of animals offer ideas of how to help Little Pig learn to ride a bike. Humorous, gentle illustrations portray their efforts.
The Little Red Fort
by Brenda Maier
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This charming retelling of the classic The Little Red Hen is set in a contemporary Latinx family with a feisty little girl taking the lead to build a play fort. Active full-page painted illustrations.
by Brenda Maier
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This charming retelling of the classic The Little Red Hen is set in a contemporary Latinx family with a feisty little girl taking the lead to build a play fort. Active full-page painted illustrations.
The Lizard Lady
by Jennifer Keats Curtis
Illustrator: Veronica V Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Nicole is searching for St. Croix lizards, hoping they survived the transition from Green Cay to Buck's island. Helpful illustrations and back matter. Also available in Spanish.
by Jennifer Keats Curtis
Illustrator: Veronica V Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Nicole is searching for St. Croix lizards, hoping they survived the transition from Green Cay to Buck's island. Helpful illustrations and back matter. Also available in Spanish.
The Most Beautiful Village in the World (Yamo's Village series)
written and illustrated by Yutaka Kobayashi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
F&G - With his brother away at war, Yamo, a young Afghan boy, accompanies his father to market to sell his fruits. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Yutaka Kobayashi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
F&G - With his brother away at war, Yamo, a young Afghan boy, accompanies his father to market to sell his fruits. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
The Night Box
by Louise Greig
Illustrator: Ashling Lindsay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
As Day winds down, young Max opens a box from which Night pours, bringing forth stars, the moon, and nocturnal animals. Painterly illustrations.
by Louise Greig
Illustrator: Ashling Lindsay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
As Day winds down, young Max opens a box from which Night pours, bringing forth stars, the moon, and nocturnal animals. Painterly illustrations.
The Other Dog
by Madeleine L'Engle
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A dog complains about the presence of the newborn puppy in his home. Expressive, humorous illustrations.
by Madeleine L'Engle
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A dog complains about the presence of the newborn puppy in his home. Expressive, humorous illustrations.