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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If I Had a Triceratops
written and illustrated by George O'Connor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A boy muses about how he would take care of a triceratops and how great the experience would be. Bright cartoon-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by George O'Connor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A boy muses about how he would take care of a triceratops and how great the experience would be. Bright cartoon-like illustrations.
If You Love Honey
by Martha Sullivan
Illustrator: Cathy Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Bees make honey--but they don't do it alone. They are part of an interactive cycle that includes dandelions, ladybugs, and many other plants and animals. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
by Martha Sullivan
Illustrator: Cathy Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Bees make honey--but they don't do it alone. They are part of an interactive cycle that includes dandelions, ladybugs, and many other plants and animals. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
I'm New Here
written and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Three children, immigrants from different lands, face the challenge of adjusting to school in America. Watercolor digitally enhanced illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Three children, immigrants from different lands, face the challenge of adjusting to school in America. Watercolor digitally enhanced illustrations.
In a Cloud of Dust
by Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Brian Deines
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In a Tanzanian village, a bicycle library improves the life of Anna and other children who live far from school. Gentle, warm illustrations.
by Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Brian Deines
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In a Tanzanian village, a bicycle library improves the life of Anna and other children who live far from school. Gentle, warm illustrations.
In a Village by the Sea
by Muon Van
Illustrator: April Chu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In a remote village, a woman and her baby await the safe return of her fisherman husband after a storm. Detailed digitally colored pencil illustrations.
by Muon Van
Illustrator: April Chu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In a remote village, a woman and her baby await the safe return of her fisherman husband after a storm. Detailed digitally colored pencil illustrations.
Ira's Shakespeare Dream
by Glenda Armand
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
African American, Ira Aldridge, leaves segregated America in the 1800s and achieves success on the stage in England. Softly hued wash and oils.
by Glenda Armand
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
African American, Ira Aldridge, leaves segregated America in the 1800s and achieves success on the stage in England. Softly hued wash and oils.
I Really Like Slop!
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Piggie really wants Gerald to try some slop, but it smells awful. Will Gerald try it for Piggie's sake? Soft, colorful line drawings.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Piggie really wants Gerald to try some slop, but it smells awful. Will Gerald try it for Piggie's sake? Soft, colorful line drawings.
It's Only Stanley
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
It's very late and the Wimbledon family keeps being awakened by strange sounds. It's only their dog, Stanley, but what is Stanley really doing? Humorous watercolors.
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
It's very late and the Wimbledon family keeps being awakened by strange sounds. It's only their dog, Stanley, but what is Stanley really doing? Humorous watercolors.
Jackrabbit McCabe & the Electric Telegraph
by Lucy Margaret Rozier
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Can the fastest man in the West outrun the telegraph signal? A tall tale with author's notes about Samuel Morse and the Code. Exaggerated nostalgic imagery.
by Lucy Margaret Rozier
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Can the fastest man in the West outrun the telegraph signal? A tall tale with author's notes about Samuel Morse and the Code. Exaggerated nostalgic imagery.
Jake Makes a World
by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts
Illustrator: Christopher Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The colors and music of his Harlem neighborhood inspire a young boy to paint, create masks, and recreate his world. Brilliantly illustrated. Backmatter with biographical details and reproductions of seven Jacob Lawrence paintings.
by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts
Illustrator: Christopher Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The colors and music of his Harlem neighborhood inspire a young boy to paint, create masks, and recreate his world. Brilliantly illustrated. Backmatter with biographical details and reproductions of seven Jacob Lawrence paintings.
Jingle Bells
by James Lord Pierpont
Illustrator: Niroot Puttapipat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Delicate cut-out shapes with black and white silhouettes celebrate this popular 19th century song of dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh. Culminates in an elaborate pop-up surprise.
by James Lord Pierpont
Illustrator: Niroot Puttapipat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Delicate cut-out shapes with black and white silhouettes celebrate this popular 19th century song of dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh. Culminates in an elaborate pop-up surprise.
Juneteenth for Mazie
written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Mazie is frustrated by her lack of freedom until Dad teaches her about her ancestors. Large oil wash illustrations.
written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Mazie is frustrated by her lack of freedom until Dad teaches her about her ancestors. Large oil wash illustrations.
Ketzel, the Cat who Composed
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A young pianist's kitten helps him write an almost award-winning composition in this tale based on a true story. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A young pianist's kitten helps him write an almost award-winning composition in this tale based on a true story. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Lailah's Lunchbox
by Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Lea Lyon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Lailah is finally old enough to fast for Ramadan, but how can she explain to her teacher and classmates why she isn't eating lunch? Colorful muted illustrations.
by Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Lea Lyon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Lailah is finally old enough to fast for Ramadan, but how can she explain to her teacher and classmates why she isn't eating lunch? Colorful muted illustrations.
Little Rhino
by Ryan Howard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Playing baseball helps stop bullying when you have a good coach. Spot black-and-white illustrations.
by Ryan Howard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Playing baseball helps stop bullying when you have a good coach. Spot black-and-white illustrations.
Logan Pryce Makes a Mess (Tales From Maple Ridge series)
by Grace Gilmore
Illustrator: Petra Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The family's farm is failing and Logan's father is looking for work. With his talent for fixing and inventing things, can Logan help? Black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings.
by Grace Gilmore
Illustrator: Petra Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The family's farm is failing and Logan's father is looking for work. With his talent for fixing and inventing things, can Logan help? Black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings.
Look!
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
An attention-grabbing gorilla and a TV-watching boy find friendship reading a book. Told with just two words and colorful full-page mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
An attention-grabbing gorilla and a TV-watching boy find friendship reading a book. Told with just two words and colorful full-page mixed-media illustrations.
Lost in NYC
written and illustrated by Nadja Spiegelman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Pedro boards the wrong train but reunites with his class at the Empire State Building. Colorful panels and informative back matter showcase the subway system.
written and illustrated by Nadja Spiegelman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Pedro boards the wrong train but reunites with his class at the Empire State Building. Colorful panels and informative back matter showcase the subway system.
Love Is My Favorite Thing
written and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Plum,, the dog, loves many things, but most of all her family. Will her naughtiness lose her their love? Hand-drawn and computer generated illustrations.
written and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Plum,, the dog, loves many things, but most of all her family. Will her naughtiness lose her their love? Hand-drawn and computer generated illustrations.
Love Will See You Through
by Angela Farris Watkins, PhD
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A simple explanation provides an understanding of the complexity of history's civil rights movement. Charcoal and acrylic drawings.
by Angela Farris Watkins, PhD
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A simple explanation provides an understanding of the complexity of history's civil rights movement. Charcoal and acrylic drawings.
Mahalia Jackson
by Nina Nolan
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Born in poverty, Mahalia Jackson became a great gospel singer whose powerful voice rang out from Carnegie Hall to the March on Washington. Lush acrylic illustrations.
by Nina Nolan
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Born in poverty, Mahalia Jackson became a great gospel singer whose powerful voice rang out from Carnegie Hall to the March on Washington. Lush acrylic illustrations.
Mama Seeton's Whistle
by Jerry Spinelli
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
As the family changes over decades, the signal to come home for dinner stays the same. Detailed period ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Jerry Spinelli
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
As the family changes over decades, the signal to come home for dinner stays the same. Detailed period ink and watercolor illustrations.
Mama's Nightingale
by Edwidge Danticat
Illustrator: Leslie Staub
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Jailed as an undocumented immigrant, Saya's mother sends Saya stories of her native Haiti while Saya writes the story of her own life. Bright oil paintings.
by Edwidge Danticat
Illustrator: Leslie Staub
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Jailed as an undocumented immigrant, Saya's mother sends Saya stories of her native Haiti while Saya writes the story of her own life. Bright oil paintings.
Mango, Abuela, and Me
by Meg Medina
Illustrator: Angela Dominguez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When Mia's grandmother comes to live with Mia and her parents, with the help of a parrot each learns a new language to communicate. Ink, gouache and marker illustrations. Also in a Spanish language edition.
by Meg Medina
Illustrator: Angela Dominguez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When Mia's grandmother comes to live with Mia and her parents, with the help of a parrot each learns a new language to communicate. Ink, gouache and marker illustrations. Also in a Spanish language edition.
Marvelous Cornelius
by Phil Bildner
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When Hurricane Katrina floods the city he loves, Cornelius and the people of New Orleans rally to revive their city. Colorful, naïve style paintings.
by Phil Bildner
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When Hurricane Katrina floods the city he loves, Cornelius and the people of New Orleans rally to revive their city. Colorful, naïve style paintings.