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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There Is a Tribe of Kids
written and illustrated by Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A child embarks on an enchanting visual journey through collections of animals. Stunning mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A child embarks on an enchanting visual journey through collections of animals. Stunning mixed-media illustrations.
The Secret Subway
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Red Nose Studio (Chris Sickels)
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In 1870, against all odds, Alfred Ely Beach completed a fan-powered underground train to solve traffic problems in New York City. Extraordinary multimedia illustrations. Biobliography and author's note.
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Red Nose Studio (Chris Sickels)
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In 1870, against all odds, Alfred Ely Beach completed a fan-powered underground train to solve traffic problems in New York City. Extraordinary multimedia illustrations. Biobliography and author's note.
The Sleeping Gypsy
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In Henri Rousseau's famous painting, a girl sleeps in the desert protected by a lion. How did this painting come to be? Digitally augmented acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In Henri Rousseau's famous painting, a girl sleeps in the desert protected by a lion. How did this painting come to be? Digitally augmented acrylic illustrations.
The Sound of All Things
by Myron Uhlberg
Illustrator: Ted Papoulas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The hearing son of a deaf father has trouble describing sounds to him until a librarian helps him find a way. Beautiful realistic gouache and acrylic illustrations.
by Myron Uhlberg
Illustrator: Ted Papoulas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
The hearing son of a deaf father has trouble describing sounds to him until a librarian helps him find a way. Beautiful realistic gouache and acrylic illustrations.
The Story Circle/El Círculo de Cuentos
by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
Illustrator: Wendy Martin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A storm forces school to close and destroys its books, but led by their teacher the children use imagination to create their own stories. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
Illustrator: Wendy Martin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A storm forces school to close and destroys its books, but led by their teacher the children use imagination to create their own stories. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
The Storyteller
written and illustrated by Evan Turk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A boy and a storyteller save a Moroccan village threatened by a mysterious djinn arising from the Sahara. Stunning mixed-media illustrations. Back matter included.
written and illustrated by Evan Turk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A boy and a storyteller save a Moroccan village threatened by a mysterious djinn arising from the Sahara. Stunning mixed-media illustrations. Back matter included.
The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots
by Beatrix Potter
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A well-bred kitty takes to poaching with disastrous results. Charming colorful watercolors. CD read by Helen Mirren.
by Beatrix Potter
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A well-bred kitty takes to poaching with disastrous results. Charming colorful watercolors. CD read by Helen Mirren.
The Thank You Book
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When Piggie decides she is going to thank everyone important to her, Gerald is afraid she will forget someone. Simple, subtly colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When Piggie decides she is going to thank everyone important to her, Gerald is afraid she will forget someone. Simple, subtly colored illustrations.
The Typewriter
written and illustrated by Bill Thomson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When three children find a mysterious typewriter, they discover the thrill of power, and the imagination needed to survive in this wordless book with dramatic, realistic, hand-painted pictures.
written and illustrated by Bill Thomson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
When three children find a mysterious typewriter, they discover the thrill of power, and the imagination needed to survive in this wordless book with dramatic, realistic, hand-painted pictures.
The Uncorker of Ocean Botttles
by Michelle Cuevas
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A messenger searches unsuccessfully for the unnamed recipient of an invitation to a party and discovers a surprise. The lyrical text is complemented by woodblock, oil pastel, and pencil illustrations.
by Michelle Cuevas
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A messenger searches unsuccessfully for the unnamed recipient of an invitation to a party and discovers a surprise. The lyrical text is complemented by woodblock, oil pastel, and pencil illustrations.
The White Cat and the Monk
by Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A retelling of Pangur Ban, a poem written a thousand years ago by an Irish monk who shared his cell with a cat. Ink and watercolors with hints of illuminated manuscripts.
by Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A retelling of Pangur Ban, a poem written a thousand years ago by an Irish monk who shared his cell with a cat. Ink and watercolors with hints of illuminated manuscripts.
They All Saw a Cat
written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Each one who sees the cat walk by views it differently. Mixed media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Each one who sees the cat walk by views it differently. Mixed media illustrations.
This Is My Dollhouse
written and illustrated by Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Which dollhouse will two girls play with - the handmade one or the store-bought one? Colorful illustrations. Dollhouse construction directions included.
written and illustrated by Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Which dollhouse will two girls play with - the handmade one or the store-bought one? Colorful illustrations. Dollhouse construction directions included.
Those That Cause Fear
by Neil Christopher
Illustrator: Germaine Arnaktauyok
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Frightening monsters from Inuit folklore are introduced with full-page mixed-media illustrations by an Inuit artist.
by Neil Christopher
Illustrator: Germaine Arnaktauyok
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Frightening monsters from Inuit folklore are introduced with full-page mixed-media illustrations by an Inuit artist.
Tooth by Tooth
by Sara Levine
Illustrator: T. S. Spookytooth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Clever, engaging information about the teeth of various mammals is presented with colorful, humorous illustrations of children with animal teeth.
by Sara Levine
Illustrator: T. S. Spookytooth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Clever, engaging information about the teeth of various mammals is presented with colorful, humorous illustrations of children with animal teeth.
Toshi's Little Treasures
by Nadine Robert
Illustrator: Aki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Toshi and his grandmother explore six of their favorite places, gathering found objects and learning about them. Activities connect each object to its match. Vivid and explanatory illustrations.
by Nadine Robert
Illustrator: Aki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Toshi and his grandmother explore six of their favorite places, gathering found objects and learning about them. Activities connect each object to its match. Vivid and explanatory illustrations.
Vroom, Zoom, Bud
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Cale Atkinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
How can Bud resist a lovely mud puddle in the middle of a race? Colorful, digital illustrations.
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Cale Atkinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
How can Bud resist a lovely mud puddle in the middle of a race? Colorful, digital illustrations.
Waiting for the Biblioburro/Esperando el Biblioburro
by Monica Brown
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Ana loves stories but in her small village there are few books until the man with the traveling library arrives. Mixed media illustrations.
by Monica Brown
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Ana loves stories but in her small village there are few books until the man with the traveling library arrives. Mixed media illustrations.
Want to Play?
by Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Shirley N-Benitez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
See Lily's New Home
by Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Shirley N-Benitez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
See Lily's New Home
We Came to America
written and illustrated by Faith Ringgold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Bold glorious colors celebrate a poem of the patchwork quilt of Americans - from those already here to those who came in chains, and ships. Bold colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Faith Ringgold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Bold glorious colors celebrate a poem of the patchwork quilt of Americans - from those already here to those who came in chains, and ships. Bold colorful illustrations.
Weekends with Max and His Dad
by Linda Urban
Illustrator: Katie Kath
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Third grader Max has humorous neighborhood adventures staying with his recently divorced father in his new apartment. Amusing black-and-white illustrations.
by Linda Urban
Illustrator: Katie Kath
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Third grader Max has humorous neighborhood adventures staying with his recently divorced father in his new apartment. Amusing black-and-white illustrations.
Wet Cement
by Bob Raczka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In these 31 concrete poems, words hop and pop, jump and bump, and twist and turn as they illustrate the ideas they are describing.
by Bob Raczka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
In these 31 concrete poems, words hop and pop, jump and bump, and twist and turn as they illustrate the ideas they are describing.
What Do You Do With a Problem?
by Kobi Yamada
Illustrator: Mae Besom
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Faced with a problem, a young boy finally realizes that it presents him with an opportunity. Whimsical illustrations.
by Kobi Yamada
Illustrator: Mae Besom
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
Faced with a problem, a young boy finally realizes that it presents him with an opportunity. Whimsical illustrations.
When Andy Met Sandy
by Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
[list with Andy & Sandy's Anything Adventure
by Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
[list with Andy & Sandy's Anything Adventure
When Green Becomes Tomatoes
by Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A diverse cast of children, depicted in gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations, record their joyful interaction with the seasons. Free verse and haiku, through a diary-style format.
by Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Ages: 6+
Published: 2016
A diverse cast of children, depicted in gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations, record their joyful interaction with the seasons. Free verse and haiku, through a diary-style format.