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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Yo Soy Muslim
by Mark Gonzales
Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
With poetic visions also rendered in vibrant, dynamic digital illustrations, a father teaches his child pride in her Muslim and Latin heritage.
by Mark Gonzales
Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
With poetic visions also rendered in vibrant, dynamic digital illustrations, a father teaches his child pride in her Muslim and Latin heritage.
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe
by Megumi Iwasa
Illustrator: Jun Takabatake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
A bored giraffe searching for a best friend via a Pelican mail messenger begins a pen pal relationship. Black-and-white drawings.
by Megumi Iwasa
Illustrator: Jun Takabatake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
A bored giraffe searching for a best friend via a Pelican mail messenger begins a pen pal relationship. Black-and-white drawings.
Zog and the Flying Doctors
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
F&Gs - Zog, the flying dinosaur, transports two doctors as they treat animals. Amusing action-filled illustrations.
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2017
F&Gs - Zog, the flying dinosaur, transports two doctors as they treat animals. Amusing action-filled illustrations.
88 Instruments
by Chris Barton
Illustrator: Louis Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A little boy can't decide which instrument to play. The key to the answer is in the title. Colorful, cartoon illustrations.
by Chris Barton
Illustrator: Louis Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A little boy can't decide which instrument to play. The key to the answer is in the title. Colorful, cartoon illustrations.
ABC Dream
written and illustrated by Kim Krans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Animals, flowers, and decorative patterns represent each letter of the alphabet in a visually delightful display from apples and ants to zebras and zinnias.
written and illustrated by Kim Krans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Animals, flowers, and decorative patterns represent each letter of the alphabet in a visually delightful display from apples and ants to zebras and zinnias.
A Beetle Is Shy
by Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Sylvia Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The variety, beauty, and unique characteristics of these insects is explained in simple, poetic language. Rich watercolor illustrations.
by Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Sylvia Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The variety, beauty, and unique characteristics of these insects is explained in simple, poetic language. Rich watercolor illustrations.
Absolutely One Thing
written and illustrated by Lauren Child
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Lola and her big brother discuss many numerical concepts when Mom takes them to the store for one treat. Lots of math and whimsical line drawings.
written and illustrated by Lauren Child
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Lola and her big brother discuss many numerical concepts when Mom takes them to the store for one treat. Lots of math and whimsical line drawings.
Ada Lovelace: Poet of Science
by Diane Stanley
Illustrator: Jessie Hartland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
It was rare for a woman in the 19th century to practice mathematics. Ada Lovelace was a pioneer in coding number sequences. Humorous animated illustrations.
by Diane Stanley
Illustrator: Jessie Hartland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
It was rare for a woman in the 19th century to practice mathematics. Ada Lovelace was a pioneer in coding number sequences. Humorous animated illustrations.
Ada's Violin
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Ada grows up hopeless in a garbage-dump town until she learns how to play a violin made of debris and joins an orchestra. Mixed-media illustrations.Also available in Spanish.
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Ada grows up hopeless in a garbage-dump town until she learns how to play a violin made of debris and joins an orchestra. Mixed-media illustrations.Also available in Spanish.
A Family is a Family is a Family
by Sara O'Leary
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When a teacher asks her class what makes their family special, the answers are all very different. Whimsical ink and digitally painted illustrations.
by Sara O'Leary
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When a teacher asks her class what makes their family special, the answers are all very different. Whimsical ink and digitally painted illustrations.
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman
by Michelle Edwards
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When young Sophia notices that her friend Mrs. Goldman knits hats for everyone except herself, she decides to knit one as a surprise. Soft mixed media illustrations.
by Michelle Edwards
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When young Sophia notices that her friend Mrs. Goldman knits hats for everyone except herself, she decides to knit one as a surprise. Soft mixed media illustrations.
A Hungry Lion, or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals
written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Thirteen animal characters keep disappearing in this hilarious twisted tale that offers many surprises. Sketchy illustration in gouache, graphite, and colored pencil.
written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Thirteen animal characters keep disappearing in this hilarious twisted tale that offers many surprises. Sketchy illustration in gouache, graphite, and colored pencil.
All Aboard for the Bobo Road
by Stephen Davies
Illustrator: Christopher Corr
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Fatima and Galo travel with their father as he drives his minibus along the Bobo Road picking up diverse passengers and their luggage. Colorful, energetic illustrations.
by Stephen Davies
Illustrator: Christopher Corr
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Fatima and Galo travel with their father as he drives his minibus along the Bobo Road picking up diverse passengers and their luggage. Colorful, energetic illustrations.
Also an Octopus
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Illustrator: Benji Davies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
An exploration of story creation by an eight-tentacled character and his friends. Colorful digital illustrations.
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Illustrator: Benji Davies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
An exploration of story creation by an eight-tentacled character and his friends. Colorful digital illustrations.
Always Remember
by Cece Meng
Illustrator: Jago
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
An old turtle is remembered by creatures in the sea who loved him. Moving full-color digital illustrations.
by Cece Meng
Illustrator: Jago
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
An old turtle is remembered by creatures in the sea who loved him. Moving full-color digital illustrations.
Andy & Sandy's Anything Adventure
by Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Andy and Sandy meet in the playground and become fast friends. Simple acrylic and colored pencil illustrations.
by Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Andy and Sandy meet in the playground and become fast friends. Simple acrylic and colored pencil illustrations.
Antsy Ansel
by Cindy Jenson-Elliott
Illustrator: Christy Hale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Free to explore the outdoors, a hyperactive boy released from conventional schooling becomes a renowned nature photographer. Illustrated in a traditional and digital mix that includes photo images. References.
by Cindy Jenson-Elliott
Illustrator: Christy Hale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Free to explore the outdoors, a hyperactive boy released from conventional schooling becomes a renowned nature photographer. Illustrated in a traditional and digital mix that includes photo images. References.
A Piece of Home
by Jeri Watts
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
After moving from Korea to West Virginia, a boy and his family struggle to adjust to an unfamiliar world while maintaining their cultural identity. Expressive watercolors.
by Jeri Watts
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
After moving from Korea to West Virginia, a boy and his family struggle to adjust to an unfamiliar world while maintaining their cultural identity. Expressive watercolors.
Apples and Robins
by Lucie Félix
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Forms and color transform shapes--a circle into an apple, an oval into a bird--in this tale of winter into spring.
by Lucie Félix
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Forms and color transform shapes--a circle into an apple, an oval into a bird--in this tale of winter into spring.
Armstrong
written and illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
One mouse's ambition to journey to the moon is presented with stunningly detailed, period-evoking artwork. Includes a brief history of human space travel.
written and illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
One mouse's ambition to journey to the moon is presented with stunningly detailed, period-evoking artwork. Includes a brief history of human space travel.
A Surprise for Teresita/Una Sorpresa para Teresita
by Virginia Sánchez-Korrol
Illustrator: Carolyn Dee Flores
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
It's a special day, but when will Uncle Ramón arrive with the promised birthday present? Rich, realistic illustration.
by Virginia Sánchez-Korrol
Illustrator: Carolyn Dee Flores
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
It's a special day, but when will Uncle Ramón arrive with the promised birthday present? Rich, realistic illustration.
Ballerina Gets Ready
by Allegra Kent
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Lyrical watercolor and ink illustrations dance across the pages following a ballerina's daily schedule as she moves from practice, to rehearsal to performance.
by Allegra Kent
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Lyrical watercolor and ink illustrations dance across the pages following a ballerina's daily schedule as she moves from practice, to rehearsal to performance.
Beauty and the Beast
retold by Mahlon F. Craft
Illustrator: Kinuko Y. Craft
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
This lyrical retelling of an old favorite is sumptuously illustrated with exquisite paintings rendered in watercolor over oil on gesso.
retold by Mahlon F. Craft
Illustrator: Kinuko Y. Craft
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
This lyrical retelling of an old favorite is sumptuously illustrated with exquisite paintings rendered in watercolor over oil on gesso.
Before Morning
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Beth Krommes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
After a snowstorm blankets a town, a working mother and her daughter enjoy its quiet beauty and their time together. Beautiful scratch board art.
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Beth Krommes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
After a snowstorm blankets a town, a working mother and her daughter enjoy its quiet beauty and their time together. Beautiful scratch board art.
Blue Penguin
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A blue penguin is rejected by the other penguins. The lonely penguin begins singing a beautiful song, attracting a friend and finding acceptance. Vivid layered color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A blue penguin is rejected by the other penguins. The lonely penguin begins singing a beautiful song, attracting a friend and finding acceptance. Vivid layered color illustrations.