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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Daylight Starlight Wildlife
written and illustrated by Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Lifelike luminous paintings reveal the variety of wild life that surrounds us while we are sleeping and when we are awake. Back matter.
written and illustrated by Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Lifelike luminous paintings reveal the variety of wild life that surrounds us while we are sleeping and when we are awake. Back matter.
Don't Feed the Geckos!
by Karen English
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When his cousin comes to stay - in Carlos' room - Carlos worries about his pets, his soccer playing, and sharing his Popi's affections. Line drawings.
by Karen English
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When his cousin comes to stay - in Carlos' room - Carlos worries about his pets, his soccer playing, and sharing his Popi's affections. Line drawings.
Drum Dream Girl
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A girl in Cuba strives to become a drummer though she is continually reminded that only boys play drums. Poetic text. Illustrated in vibrant, tropical colors.
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A girl in Cuba strives to become a drummer though she is continually reminded that only boys play drums. Poetic text. Illustrated in vibrant, tropical colors.
Earmuffs for Everyone
by Meghan McCarthy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A boy from Maine with cold ears improves upon and patents his design for earmuffs. Illustrated with colorful and comical art. Notes and bibliography.
by Meghan McCarthy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A boy from Maine with cold ears improves upon and patents his design for earmuffs. Illustrated with colorful and comical art. Notes and bibliography.
Egg
by Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Disparate animals lay eggs in different sizes, in different places, and store them in different ways. Drawings and accurate collages.
by Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Disparate animals lay eggs in different sizes, in different places, and store them in different ways. Drawings and accurate collages.
Elephant in the Dark
retold by Mina Javaherbin
Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
It's a snake. It's a tree. It's a fan. A reminder to look at the whole picture. Brilliantly colored illustrations evoking Persian miniatures.
retold by Mina Javaherbin
Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
It's a snake. It's a tree. It's a fan. A reminder to look at the whole picture. Brilliantly colored illustrations evoking Persian miniatures.
Elephant Joe, Brave firefighter
written and illustrated by David Wojtowycz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
How do you rescue a dragon caught in a tree? Vivid humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Wojtowycz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
How do you rescue a dragon caught in a tree? Vivid humorous illustrations.
Elvis
written and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Elvis's shyness, poor white upbringing, and the mix of black and white music that moved him, are narrated in simple verse. Lovely photo collages painted with oil.
written and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Elvis's shyness, poor white upbringing, and the mix of black and white music that moved him, are narrated in simple verse. Lovely photo collages painted with oil.
Emmanuel's Dream
by Laurie Ann Thompson
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Born with a deformed leg, Emmanuel rides his bike 400 miles across Ghana, West Africa, gaining support and proving that disabled doesn't mean unabled. Mixed media illustrations.
by Laurie Ann Thompson
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Born with a deformed leg, Emmanuel rides his bike 400 miles across Ghana, West Africa, gaining support and proving that disabled doesn't mean unabled. Mixed media illustrations.
Fab Four Friends
by Susanna Reich
Illustrator: Adam Gustavson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
As lads, John, Paul, George, and Ringo dream of being rock-n-roll musicians. They work tirelessly and cope with pain and trauma on the journey. Warm oil illustrations.
by Susanna Reich
Illustrator: Adam Gustavson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
As lads, John, Paul, George, and Ringo dream of being rock-n-roll musicians. They work tirelessly and cope with pain and trauma on the journey. Warm oil illustrations.
Felix Stands Tall
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
After Fiona and Felix win the Talent contest, Felix is bullied by his friends until Fiona shows him how to stand up for himself. Watercolor and pencil drawings.
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
After Fiona and Felix win the Talent contest, Felix is bullied by his friends until Fiona shows him how to stand up for himself. Watercolor and pencil drawings.
Finding Winnie
by Lindsay Mattick
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A young boy listens to the story of the bear his great-great-grandfather placed in a London zoo during World War I. Watercolors and photographs.
by Lindsay Mattick
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A young boy listens to the story of the bear his great-great-grandfather placed in a London zoo during World War I. Watercolors and photographs.
Flutter & Hum: Animal Poems/Aleteo y Zumbido: Poemas de Animales
written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
ARC Colorful gouache illustrations and eloquent verses in Spanish and English convey the essence of snakes, herons, whales, moths, and a variety of other creatures.
written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
ARC Colorful gouache illustrations and eloquent verses in Spanish and English convey the essence of snakes, herons, whales, moths, and a variety of other creatures.
Frederick's Journey
by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrator: London Ladd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Taken from his mother as an infant, forced to work as a slave at age six, Frederick Douglass struggled to educate himself and grew as a leader and free man. Powerful illustrations.
by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrator: London Ladd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Taken from his mother as an infant, forced to work as a slave at age six, Frederick Douglass struggled to educate himself and grew as a leader and free man. Powerful illustrations.
Freedom's School
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
After the Civil War, with their parents' support two black children attend school despite facing racism. Evocative watercolors.
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
After the Civil War, with their parents' support two black children attend school despite facing racism. Evocative watercolors.
Friends of a Feather (The Life of Ty series)
by Lauren Myracle
Illustrator: Jed Henry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Seven-year-old Tyler's best friend, Joseph, is out of the hospital and back in school, but Ty must reestablish their close friendship. Simple, black-and-white illustrations.
by Lauren Myracle
Illustrator: Jed Henry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Seven-year-old Tyler's best friend, Joseph, is out of the hospital and back in school, but Ty must reestablish their close friendship. Simple, black-and-white illustrations.
Funny Bones
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In the nineteenth century, a Mexican printer popularizes the Day of the Dead with his humorous skeletons. Stylized art captures the spirit of the holiday. End matter.
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In the nineteenth century, a Mexican printer popularizes the Day of the Dead with his humorous skeletons. Stylized art captures the spirit of the holiday. End matter.
Game Changer
by John Coy
Illustrator: Randy DuBurke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In 1944, in segregated North Carolina, white players and black players break the law to play basketball against one another. Muted color illustrations.
by John Coy
Illustrator: Randy DuBurke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In 1944, in segregated North Carolina, white players and black players break the law to play basketball against one another. Muted color illustrations.
Goodnight Songs
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Peter Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Twelve bedtime poems, set to music and illustrated by well-known artists, glorify the wonders of nature throughout the year. Extensive end notes. CD.
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Peter Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Twelve bedtime poems, set to music and illustrated by well-known artists, glorify the wonders of nature throughout the year. Extensive end notes. CD.
Groundhog's Dilemma
by Kristen Remenar
Illustrator: Matt Faulkner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Can the anointed predictor of the arrival of spring be bribed to alter his findings to please the wishes of his friends? Detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations.
by Kristen Remenar
Illustrator: Matt Faulkner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Can the anointed predictor of the arrival of spring be bribed to alter his findings to please the wishes of his friends? Detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations.
Henry Aaron's Dream
by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
After Jackie Robinson integrated baseball, great African American athlete Henry Aaron's dream of becoming a major-league player came true. Expressive, realistic mixed-media illustrations.
by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
After Jackie Robinson integrated baseball, great African American athlete Henry Aaron's dream of becoming a major-league player came true. Expressive, realistic mixed-media illustrations.
High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs
by Lisa Kahn Schnell
Illustrator: Alan Marks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The gathering at Delaware Bay of birds, people and crabs explains the life cycle of Horseshoe crabs. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Lisa Kahn Schnell
Illustrator: Alan Marks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The gathering at Delaware Bay of birds, people and crabs explains the life cycle of Horseshoe crabs. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
How to Draw a Dragon
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
With humor and an observant eye, a favorite poet invites young artists to imagine their own fanciful creatures. Colorful mixed-media art.
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
With humor and an observant eye, a favorite poet invites young artists to imagine their own fanciful creatures. Colorful mixed-media art.
I (Don't) Like Snakes
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Luciano Lozano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Clear and easy to follow facts about snakes overturn and explain misconceptions. Excellent detailed color illustrations.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Luciano Lozano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Clear and easy to follow facts about snakes overturn and explain misconceptions. Excellent detailed color illustrations.
I Don't Want to Be a Frog
by Dev Petty
Illustrator: Mike Boldt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A humorous dialogue between a small unsatisfied frog and a bespectacled adult frog comes delightfully to life with mixed-media illustrations.
by Dev Petty
Illustrator: Mike Boldt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A humorous dialogue between a small unsatisfied frog and a bespectacled adult frog comes delightfully to life with mixed-media illustrations.