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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written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A small pirate boy barters items to build a new ship and understands the arithmetic to collect what he needs. Black and white pen and ink drawings contrast with brightly colored gouache.
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A small pirate boy barters items to build a new ship and understands the arithmetic to collect what he needs. Black and white pen and ink drawings contrast with brightly colored gouache.
Swatch: The Girl Who Loved Color
written and illustrated by Julia Denos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Swatch loves all colors, but mistakenly tries to capture them. Yellowest yellow helps her see that colors are wild. Exuberant mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Julia Denos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Swatch loves all colors, but mistakenly tries to capture them. Yellowest yellow helps her see that colors are wild. Exuberant mixed-media illustrations.
Teacup
by Rebecca Young
Illustrator: Matt Ottley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A boy's arduous odyssey searching for a new home unfolds through minimal poetic text complimented by evocative oil paintings and dreamlike images.
by Rebecca Young
Illustrator: Matt Ottley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A boy's arduous odyssey searching for a new home unfolds through minimal poetic text complimented by evocative oil paintings and dreamlike images.
Teddy & Co.
by Cynthia Voigt
Illustrator: Paila Zakimi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In a complex series of adventures, a disabled toy bear and his stuffed friends consider each other's characteristics and the world around them. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Cynthia Voigt
Illustrator: Paila Zakimi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In a complex series of adventures, a disabled toy bear and his stuffed friends consider each other's characteristics and the world around them. Black-and-white illustrations.
Tell Me a Tattoo Story
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A dad's tattoo's help him recount his life to his young son. Soft watercolors enhance this tender story.
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A dad's tattoo's help him recount his life to his young son. Soft watercolors enhance this tender story.
The Airport Book
written and illustrated by Lisa Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Packed suitcases, long lines, and little sister's missing toy are all part of this child's eye view of airplane travel. Nuanced, humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lisa Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Packed suitcases, long lines, and little sister's missing toy are all part of this child's eye view of airplane travel. Nuanced, humorous illustrations.
The Alligator's Smile and Other Poems
by Jane Yolen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Discover many facts about this familiar reptile through 13 poems paired with additional scientific information. Large, color photographs and end matter.
by Jane Yolen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Discover many facts about this familiar reptile through 13 poems paired with additional scientific information. Large, color photographs and end matter.
The Bear and the Piano
written and illustrated by David Litchfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A bear finds fame in the city playing the piano but misses the friends he left behind in the forest. Full-color mixed-media art.
written and illustrated by David Litchfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A bear finds fame in the city playing the piano but misses the friends he left behind in the forest. Full-color mixed-media art.
The Cat from Hunger Mountain
written and illustrated by Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A spoiled lord learns humility and appreciation through privation. Striking paper collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A spoiled lord learns humility and appreciation through privation. Striking paper collage illustrations.
The Darkest Dark
by Chris Hadfield
Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
It's 1969, astronauts are on the moon and Chris sees how dark space is. Can he overcome his fear of it to ecome an astronaut too? Evocative ink and graphite digitally colored illustrations.
by Chris Hadfield
Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
It's 1969, astronauts are on the moon and Chris sees how dark space is. Can he overcome his fear of it to ecome an astronaut too? Evocative ink and graphite digitally colored illustrations.
The Dead Bird
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When a group of friends find a bird that has just died, they decided to bury it in the woods. Folk art style painted illustrations.
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When a group of friends find a bird that has just died, they decided to bury it in the woods. Folk art style painted illustrations.
The Great Big Body Book
by Mary Hoffman
Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
An inclusive and humorous look at bodies, birth, gender, aging, genetics, and even death and dreams. Watercolor cartoons and a cat add to the fun.
by Mary Hoffman
Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
An inclusive and humorous look at bodies, birth, gender, aging, genetics, and even death and dreams. Watercolor cartoons and a cat add to the fun.
The Great Spruce
by John Duvall
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When his grandfather's tree is chosen to be cut down for the city's Christmas holidays, Alec is heartbroken. How can he save it? Subtle acrylic ink and color pencil illustrations.
by John Duvall
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When his grandfather's tree is chosen to be cut down for the city's Christmas holidays, Alec is heartbroken. How can he save it? Subtle acrylic ink and color pencil illustrations.
The Infamous Ratsos
by Kara Lareau
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Louie and Ralphie want to be tough like their dad, but are they? Detailed pen-and-ink drawings complement this funny, realistic tale.
by Kara Lareau
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Louie and Ralphie want to be tough like their dad, but are they? Detailed pen-and-ink drawings complement this funny, realistic tale.
The Journey
written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A young boy shares the anguish and perils of fleeing his war-torn home, comforted by his mother's indomitable spirit. Somber, understated illustrations.
written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A young boy shares the anguish and perils of fleeing his war-torn home, comforted by his mother's indomitable spirit. Somber, understated illustrations.
The King of Kazoo
written and illustrated by Norm Feuti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When a strange tunnel appears on Mount Kazoo, the King and his daughter set out to investigate. Funny graphics.
written and illustrated by Norm Feuti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When a strange tunnel appears on Mount Kazoo, the King and his daughter set out to investigate. Funny graphics.
The Marvelous Thing That Came From a Spring
written and illustrated by Gilbert Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The story of the slinky from its invention to its becoming an iconic post-World War II toy is depicted through retro-style photographed dioramas. Backmatter.
written and illustrated by Gilbert Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The story of the slinky from its invention to its becoming an iconic post-World War II toy is depicted through retro-style photographed dioramas. Backmatter.
The Music in George's Head
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Stacy Innerst
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In the 1920s, in New York City sounds syncopate, swirl, and swing into the creation of a classic composition. Blue-toned acrylic paintings evoke the period. Back matter.
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Stacy Innerst
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In the 1920s, in New York City sounds syncopate, swirl, and swing into the creation of a classic composition. Blue-toned acrylic paintings evoke the period. Back matter.
The Mysterious Egg (The Dino Files series)
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Mike Boldt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Frank loves spending time with his paleontologist grandparents, but this summer he finds extinct may not always mean extinct. Glossary and simple illustrations.
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Mike Boldt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Frank loves spending time with his paleontologist grandparents, but this summer he finds extinct may not always mean extinct. Glossary and simple illustrations.
The Night Gardener
written and illustrated by Terry Fan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A mysterious man turns the trees on Grimloch Lane into amusing topiaries bringing happiness to the residents. Graphite and digitally-colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Terry Fan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A mysterious man turns the trees on Grimloch Lane into amusing topiaries bringing happiness to the residents. Graphite and digitally-colored illustrations.
The Polar Bear
written and illustrated by Jenni Desmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Evocative painted and collage illustrations of a myriad of fascinating facts about this great white bear.
written and illustrated by Jenni Desmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Evocative painted and collage illustrations of a myriad of fascinating facts about this great white bear.
The Princess and the Warrior
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The legend of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, the two majestic volcanoes that overlook Mexico City is retold and enhanced with rich mixed-media, Aztec-style collages. Back matter, glossary, bibliography.
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The legend of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, the two majestic volcanoes that overlook Mexico City is retold and enhanced with rich mixed-media, Aztec-style collages. Back matter, glossary, bibliography.
The Pros & Cons of Being a Frog
written and illustrated by Sue deGennaro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Can close friends, one obsessed with dressing up as a frog, and the other who manipulates numbers, reconcile after a tiff? Multimedia colorful collages.
written and illustrated by Sue deGennaro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Can close friends, one obsessed with dressing up as a frog, and the other who manipulates numbers, reconcile after a tiff? Multimedia colorful collages.
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville
by Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In the 1960s, Alta and Charmaine each thinks she is the fastest runner in Wilma Rudolph's hometown. Can the two become friends before the Olympic medalist's victory parade begins? Appealing colorful watercolors.
by Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In the 1960s, Alta and Charmaine each thinks she is the fastest runner in Wilma Rudolph's hometown. Can the two become friends before the Olympic medalist's victory parade begins? Appealing colorful watercolors.
The Real Poop on Pigeons!
written and illustrated by Kevin McCloskey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Learn about the variety of pigeons, their role as mail carriers, and the respect held for them by the artist Picasso. Engaging acrylic and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kevin McCloskey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Learn about the variety of pigeons, their role as mail carriers, and the respect held for them by the artist Picasso. Engaging acrylic and gouache illustrations.