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 Prince and the Pee
by Greg Gormley
Illustrator: Chris Mould
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
How can the prince fight a dragon if he has to go? Engaging colorful watercolors depict the dilemma.
by Greg Gormley
Illustrator: Chris Mould
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
How can the prince fight a dragon if he has to go? Engaging colorful watercolors depict the dilemma.
The Princess and the Pit Stop
by Tom Angleberger
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Will a service break keep the princess from overtaking familiar fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters in this racetrack adventure? Vivid cartoon illustrations accompany the zany text.
by Tom Angleberger
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Will a service break keep the princess from overtaking familiar fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters in this racetrack adventure? Vivid cartoon illustrations accompany the zany text.
The Rough Patch
written and illustrated by Brian Lies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Can inconsolable Evan recover from the loss of his dog after destroying their garden and isolating himself? Varied pallets and evocative expressive illustrations reflect the text.
written and illustrated by Brian Lies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Can inconsolable Evan recover from the loss of his dog after destroying their garden and isolating himself? Varied pallets and evocative expressive illustrations reflect the text.
The Seal Garden (My Great Bear Rainforest series)
by Nicholas Read
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In British Columbia's Great Bear Sea, marine animals take refuge from pounding storms and prowling orcas. Informative text and beautiful photographs illustrate life in the Seal Gardens.
by Nicholas Read
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
In British Columbia's Great Bear Sea, marine animals take refuge from pounding storms and prowling orcas. Informative text and beautiful photographs illustrate life in the Seal Gardens.
The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Kate Garchinsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The life cycle of a common species of North American bats includes their food, hunting, and their flying habits. Accurate pastel and aqua crayon illustrations.
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Kate Garchinsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The life cycle of a common species of North American bats includes their food, hunting, and their flying habits. Accurate pastel and aqua crayon illustrations.
The Stone Bird
by Jenny McCartney
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Eliza is saddened when her special stones disappear, but on her birthday she awakens to an amazing surprise. Playfully detailed, full-color watercolor illustrations.
by Jenny McCartney
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Eliza is saddened when her special stones disappear, but on her birthday she awakens to an amazing surprise. Playfully detailed, full-color watercolor illustrations.
The Stuff of Stars
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Ekua Holmes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Swirling images of marbled paper collage and lyrical text evoke the Big Bang, linking the creation of the universe to every living being.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Ekua Holmes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Swirling images of marbled paper collage and lyrical text evoke the Big Bang, linking the creation of the universe to every living being.
The Truly Brave Princesses
by Dolores Brown
Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This eclectic collection of diverse women and girls celebrates the many different princesses in everyday modern life. Whimsical illustrations.
by Dolores Brown
Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
This eclectic collection of diverse women and girls celebrates the many different princesses in everyday modern life. Whimsical illustrations.
The Truth About Hippos
written and illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Impress your friends and teacher with fascinating and fun facts about hippos. Appealing, digitally colored pen and ink cartoon-like illustrations. Bibliography.
written and illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Impress your friends and teacher with fascinating and fun facts about hippos. Appealing, digitally colored pen and ink cartoon-like illustrations. Bibliography.
The Turtle Ship
by Helena Ku Rhee
Illustrator: Colleen Kong-Savage
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Sun-sin and his pet turtle, Gobugi, win a contest to design a battleship for the king. Slow, steady and small, but a mighty triumph! Stylized collages. Back matter.
by Helena Ku Rhee
Illustrator: Colleen Kong-Savage
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Sun-sin and his pet turtle, Gobugi, win a contest to design a battleship for the king. Slow, steady and small, but a mighty triumph! Stylized collages. Back matter.
The Un-Friendship Bracelet
by Martha Maker
Illustrator: Xindi Yan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A growing group of friends combine their talents and learn about friendship in the process. Directions included for a friendship bracelet. Black and white illustrations.
by Martha Maker
Illustrator: Xindi Yan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A growing group of friends combine their talents and learn about friendship in the process. Directions included for a friendship bracelet. Black and white illustrations.
The United States v. Jackie Robinson
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
After the army was desegregated, Jackie Robinson faced a court martial for refusing to move to the back of a military bus in World War II. Acrylic gouache illustrations.
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
After the army was desegregated, Jackie Robinson faced a court martial for refusing to move to the back of a military bus in World War II. Acrylic gouache illustrations.
The Word Collector
written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Jerome uses words he hears, sees, and reads to make poems and songs. He shares his collection and others are invited to reach for their own words. Expressive, colorful drawings.
written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Jerome uses words he hears, sees, and reads to make poems and songs. He shares his collection and others are invited to reach for their own words. Expressive, colorful drawings.
This Is the Nest That Robin Built
written and illustrated by Denise Fleming
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Squirrel, dog, horse, pig, and other friends help Robin in this descriptive cumulative tale filled with colorfully detailed print and collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Denise Fleming
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Squirrel, dog, horse, pig, and other friends help Robin in this descriptive cumulative tale filled with colorfully detailed print and collage illustrations.
Through the Window
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The childhood and war time experiences that shaped a great painter's life and art are described. Bold mixed media illustrations evoke Chagall's work. Back matter.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
The childhood and war time experiences that shaped a great painter's life and art are described. Bold mixed media illustrations evoke Chagall's work. Back matter.
Time for Bed, Miyuki
by Roxane Marie Galliez
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Miyuki has endless reasons to postpone going to bed, which her grandfather patiently goes along with. This lyrical bedtime story features expressive watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations.
by Roxane Marie Galliez
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Miyuki has endless reasons to postpone going to bed, which her grandfather patiently goes along with. This lyrical bedtime story features expressive watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations.
Tomorrow
written and illustrated by Nadine Kaadan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Yazan used to play outside, but now there's war in Syria and he must stay home. Maybe he can sneak out to see his friends. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Nadine Kaadan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Yazan used to play outside, but now there's war in Syria and he must stay home. Maybe he can sneak out to see his friends. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Trevor
by Jim Averbeck
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Trevor befriends one very different from himself and learns the value of companionship, including the pain of loss. Unique beautiful tale accompanied by emotive illustrations.
by Jim Averbeck
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Trevor befriends one very different from himself and learns the value of companionship, including the pain of loss. Unique beautiful tale accompanied by emotive illustrations.
Turning Pages
by Sonia Sotomayor
Illustrator: Lulu Delacre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A Supreme Court Justice weaves her life story through the influences of books that inspired courage, learning, and compassion in her life. Realistic bold color illustrations.
by Sonia Sotomayor
Illustrator: Lulu Delacre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A Supreme Court Justice weaves her life story through the influences of books that inspired courage, learning, and compassion in her life. Realistic bold color illustrations.
Water Land
written and illustrated by Christy Hale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Die-cut forms, printed textures and digital layering bring geographic terms such as bay and cape and gulf and peninsula to life. Glossary, map.
written and illustrated by Christy Hale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Die-cut forms, printed textures and digital layering bring geographic terms such as bay and cape and gulf and peninsula to life. Glossary, map.
We Are Grateful/Otsaliheliga
by Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Poetic words of thanks for life cycle events, daily occurrences, and native history and culture include Cherokee language. Cheerful gouache illustrations.
by Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Poetic words of thanks for life cycle events, daily occurrences, and native history and culture include Cherokee language. Cheerful gouache illustrations.
We've Got The Whole World In Our Hands
adapted and illustrated by Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
With a colorful ball of yarn, a happy and diverse collection of children celebrate an old hymn. Words and music included. Joyous, mixed-media illustrations. Also available in bilingual English-Spanish.
adapted and illustrated by Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
With a colorful ball of yarn, a happy and diverse collection of children celebrate an old hymn. Words and music included. Joyous, mixed-media illustrations. Also available in bilingual English-Spanish.
When Sophie Thinks She Can't...
written and illustrated by Molly Bang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Convinced that she is not smart, Sophie, helped by her inventive, energetic teacher, learns how persistence and mindset lead to math problem-solving. Bold color gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Molly Bang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Convinced that she is not smart, Sophie, helped by her inventive, energetic teacher, learns how persistence and mindset lead to math problem-solving. Bold color gouache illustrations.
When Sparks Fly
by Kristen Fulton
Illustrator: Diego Funck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Static electricity sparked young Robert Goddard's imagination, inspiring him to persevere in building the first rocket. Engaging illustrations and back matter frame this true story.
by Kristen Fulton
Illustrator: Diego Funck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Static electricity sparked young Robert Goddard's imagination, inspiring him to persevere in building the first rocket. Engaging illustrations and back matter frame this true story.
Where in the Wild
written and illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Large, colorful collage-like illustrations with clever cutouts depict a myriad of wild animals in their environments that need protection.
written and illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Large, colorful collage-like illustrations with clever cutouts depict a myriad of wild animals in their environments that need protection.