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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With My Hands
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Illustrator: Lou Fancher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Rhyming poems and bright, mixed-media artwork feature diverse kids discovering the rewards of creating things, from paintings to cookies to cardboard forts.
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Illustrator: Lou Fancher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Rhyming poems and bright, mixed-media artwork feature diverse kids discovering the rewards of creating things, from paintings to cookies to cardboard forts.
Wolfy
written and illustrated by Grégoire Solotareff
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A young rabbit and a young wolf defy stereotypes and befriend each other. Doubt, fear, and mistrust creep in, and loneliness leads to reconciliation. Colorful, expressive illustrations in black outline.
written and illustrated by Grégoire Solotareff
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A young rabbit and a young wolf defy stereotypes and befriend each other. Doubt, fear, and mistrust creep in, and loneliness leads to reconciliation. Colorful, expressive illustrations in black outline.
Wordy Birdy
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Dave Mottram
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A loquacious bird who never listens hopefully learns her lesson when her friends rescue her after she ignores their warnings of danger. Evocative, busy color illustrations.
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Dave Mottram
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A loquacious bird who never listens hopefully learns her lesson when her friends rescue her after she ignores their warnings of danger. Evocative, busy color illustrations.
Write to Me
by Cynthia Grady
Illustrator: Amiko Hirao
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
During World War II, a white librarian corresponds with Japanese American children in internment camps, becoming their staunch advocate. Extensive back matter, archival photographs, colored pencil illustrations.
by Cynthia Grady
Illustrator: Amiko Hirao
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
During World War II, a white librarian corresponds with Japanese American children in internment camps, becoming their staunch advocate. Extensive back matter, archival photographs, colored pencil illustrations.
You're Snug With Me
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Poonam Mistry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A mother polar bear spends the arctic winter telling her curious cubs about the wondrous world outside. Elaborate ink and digital illustrations.
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Poonam Mistry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
A mother polar bear spends the arctic winter telling her curious cubs about the wondrous world outside. Elaborate ink and digital illustrations.
Zola's Elephant
by Randall de Séve
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Zola's new neighbor is afraid Zola will be too busy with her pet elephant to want a human best friend. Colorful, playful illustrations.
by Randall de Séve
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2018
Zola's new neighbor is afraid Zola will be too busy with her pet elephant to want a human best friend. Colorful, playful illustrations.
7 Ate 9
by Tara Lazar
Illustrator: Ross MacDonald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Numeral 6 seeks the services of Private I, an investigator, to protect him from numeral 7, who is after him. Comic noir-style mixed-media illustrations.
by Tara Lazar
Illustrator: Ross MacDonald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Numeral 6 seeks the services of Private I, an investigator, to protect him from numeral 7, who is after him. Comic noir-style mixed-media illustrations.
A Boy, a Mouse, and a Spider
by Barbara Herkert
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
A boy's love of animals, especially mice and spiders, leads to his writing beloved children's stories. Expressive ink, watercolor, and foam press illustrations. Back matter.
by Barbara Herkert
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
A boy's love of animals, especially mice and spiders, leads to his writing beloved children's stories. Expressive ink, watercolor, and foam press illustrations. Back matter.
A Cat Named Swan
written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
After barely surviving life on the streets, a stray kitten is taken to a rescue center and adopted by a loving family. Realistic pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
After barely surviving life on the streets, a stray kitten is taken to a rescue center and adopted by a loving family. Realistic pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Budding scientist Ada enlists her curiosity and sometimes supportive family to discover by trial and error the source of a noxious smell. Mixed-media illustrations.
by Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Budding scientist Ada enlists her curiosity and sometimes supportive family to discover by trial and error the source of a noxious smell. Mixed-media illustrations.
A Different Kind of Passover
by Linda Leopold-Strauss
Illustrator: Jeremy Tugeau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Grandfather is too ill to lead the family seder. The family is distraught until Jessie finds a solution that preserves tradition, albeit in a new way. Color illustrations.
by Linda Leopold-Strauss
Illustrator: Jeremy Tugeau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Grandfather is too ill to lead the family seder. The family is distraught until Jessie finds a solution that preserves tradition, albeit in a new way. Color illustrations.
A Different Pond
by Bao Phi
Illustrator: Thi Bui
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
In Minneapolis, a boy shares his experience fishing before work for the dinner meal with his Vietnamese father. Evocative animated illustrations.
by Bao Phi
Illustrator: Thi Bui
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
In Minneapolis, a boy shares his experience fishing before work for the dinner meal with his Vietnamese father. Evocative animated illustrations.
Adrift
written and illustrated by Jessica Olien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Karl and Hazel have different personalities, but must help each other when they get stranded on an ice floe. Colorful bold-line illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jessica Olien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Karl and Hazel have different personalities, but must help each other when they get stranded on an ice floe. Colorful bold-line illustrations.
After the Fall
written and illustrated by Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
ARC - All the king's men put Humpty Dumpty back together again, but can he now overcome his fear of heights? Watercolor, colored pencil and digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
ARC - All the king's men put Humpty Dumpty back together again, but can he now overcome his fear of heights? Watercolor, colored pencil and digital illustrations.
Alexander Graham Bell Answers the Call
written and illustrated by Mary Ann Fraser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Aleck, son of a deaf mother and a speech therapist father, was always curious and experimenting with sound, which led to many inventions, most famously the telephone. Photographs and mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mary Ann Fraser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Aleck, son of a deaf mother and a speech therapist father, was always curious and experimenting with sound, which led to many inventions, most famously the telephone. Photographs and mixed-media illustrations.
All the Way to Havana
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
ARC - A boy and his father must use real ingenuity to get their ancient car running again so they can visit family in Havana. Realistic mixed-media illustrations.
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
ARC - A boy and his father must use real ingenuity to get their ancient car running again so they can visit family in Havana. Realistic mixed-media illustrations.
A New School Year
by Sally Derby
Illustrator: Mika Song
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Six kids start school with their own fears, hopes, and worries. Told in 24 alternating poems before, during, and after the first day. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
by Sally Derby
Illustrator: Mika Song
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Six kids start school with their own fears, hopes, and worries. Told in 24 alternating poems before, during, and after the first day. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
Animals Do, Too!
by Etta Kaner
Illustrator: Marilyn Faucher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Cook Prize 2017 Return review book to Allie (2/23/17) Animals dance, play leapfrog, tag, and piggy back, grow food, and even blow bubbles, with important purposes. Humorous watercolor illustrations.
by Etta Kaner
Illustrator: Marilyn Faucher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Cook Prize 2017 Return review book to Allie (2/23/17) Animals dance, play leapfrog, tag, and piggy back, grow food, and even blow bubbles, with important purposes. Humorous watercolor illustrations.
Around the World in a Bathtub
by Wade Bradford
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Vivid multimedia collages enrich the descriptions of children's bathing customs in several cultures.
by Wade Bradford
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Vivid multimedia collages enrich the descriptions of children's bathing customs in several cultures.
Away
by Emil Sher
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Animated sketchy watercolors capture nuanced stick note exchanges between a reassuring mother and her daughter, anxious about going to sleep-away camp.
by Emil Sher
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Animated sketchy watercolors capture nuanced stick note exchanges between a reassuring mother and her daughter, anxious about going to sleep-away camp.
Balderdash!
by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
In 1700's London, a publisher combines his love of reading and children into a new industry: books for children. Back matter. Digitized pen-and-ink illustrations.
by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
In 1700's London, a publisher combines his love of reading and children into a new industry: books for children. Back matter. Digitized pen-and-ink illustrations.
Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker
written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
To the chagrin of her teacher, Beatrice does things her own way, but her quirkiness helps re-cement a friendship. Humorously told with lively pencil drawings.
written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
To the chagrin of her teacher, Beatrice does things her own way, but her quirkiness helps re-cement a friendship. Humorously told with lively pencil drawings.
Becoming Bach
written and illustrated by Tom Leonard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
ARC Johann Sebastian hears beautiful patterns in musical notes and gifts the world with a rich bounty of instrumental and vocal music. Ornate, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
written and illustrated by Tom Leonard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
ARC Johann Sebastian hears beautiful patterns in musical notes and gifts the world with a rich bounty of instrumental and vocal music. Ornate, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Before She Was Harriet
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Harriet Taubman's diverse roles as suffragist, general, union spy, Aunt Harriet, Minty and Araminta are described in lyrical poems. Emotive, painterly, full-color illustrations.
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Harriet Taubman's diverse roles as suffragist, general, union spy, Aunt Harriet, Minty and Araminta are described in lyrical poems. Emotive, painterly, full-color illustrations.
Bertolt
written and illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Engaging pastel illustrations capture a boy, who is a loner, and his best friend, a tree.
written and illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
Engaging pastel illustrations capture a boy, who is a loner, and his best friend, a tree.