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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The Grasshopper & the Ants
written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A grasshopper frolics and plays music while industrious ants prepare for winter in this lovely retelling. Beautiful watercolor paintings depict the changing seasons.
written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A grasshopper frolics and plays music while industrious ants prepare for winter in this lovely retelling. Beautiful watercolor paintings depict the changing seasons.
The Lucky Wheel (Tales From Maple Ridge series)
by Grace Gilmore
Illustrator: Petra Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
list with Logan Pryce makes a mess under the series title Tales from Maple Ridge.
by Grace Gilmore
Illustrator: Petra Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
list with Logan Pryce makes a mess under the series title Tales from Maple Ridge.
The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea
by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Illustrator: Gennady Spirin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In beautifully illustrated two-page spreads, twelve sea creatures tell what makes them a candidate for most amazing. Bibliography and online resources.
by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Illustrator: Gennady Spirin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In beautifully illustrated two-page spreads, twelve sea creatures tell what makes them a candidate for most amazing. Bibliography and online resources.
The Night World
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When his cat wakes him up before dawn, a young boy discovers his familiar house and garden look very different in the dark. Extraordinary mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When his cat wakes him up before dawn, a young boy discovers his familiar house and garden look very different in the dark. Extraordinary mixed-media illustrations.
The Only Child
written and illustrated by Guojing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In this wordless book, when a young girl gets lost en route to her grandmother, she befriends a magical creature to find her way back home. Softly rendered black-and-white pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Guojing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
In this wordless book, when a young girl gets lost en route to her grandmother, she befriends a magical creature to find her way back home. Softly rendered black-and-white pencil illustrations.
The Parakeet Named Dreidel
by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Illustrator: Suzanne Raphael Berkson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The rescue, on a cold, snowy Hanukkah, of a Yiddish-speaking parakeet results in an unexpected, happy match. Emotions and actions humorously expressed.
by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Illustrator: Suzanne Raphael Berkson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The rescue, on a cold, snowy Hanukkah, of a Yiddish-speaking parakeet results in an unexpected, happy match. Emotions and actions humorously expressed.
The Popcorn Astronauts and Other Biteable Rhymes
by Deborah Ruddell
Illustrator: Joan Rankin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Food-based rhymed poems. centered around the seasons create an imaginary world of delectable treats. Whimsical, detailed watercolors.
by Deborah Ruddell
Illustrator: Joan Rankin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Food-based rhymed poems. centered around the seasons create an imaginary world of delectable treats. Whimsical, detailed watercolors.
The Skunk
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
No matter where he goes, a man is pursued by a skunk. Will he ever be freed of the obsessive creature? Muted, sketch-like illustrations.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
No matter where he goes, a man is pursued by a skunk. Will he ever be freed of the obsessive creature? Muted, sketch-like illustrations.
The Sky Painter
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Aliona Bereghici
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Free verse and rhymes describe the artist and naturalist known as the father of modern bird art. Watercolor illustrations and historical note.
by Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Aliona Bereghici
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Free verse and rhymes describe the artist and naturalist known as the father of modern bird art. Watercolor illustrations and historical note.
The Story of Diva and Flea
by Mo Willems
Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When a cosseted, timid dog meets an intrepid stray cat, both their lives change for the better. Colorful, expressive pen-and-ink illustrations.
by Mo Willems
Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When a cosseted, timid dog meets an intrepid stray cat, both their lives change for the better. Colorful, expressive pen-and-ink illustrations.
The Tale of Rescue
by Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Stan Fellows
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A lyrical, gentle narrative of a cattle dog who uses instinct and rescues a family stranded in a blizzard. Watercolor illustrations.
by Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Stan Fellows
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A lyrical, gentle narrative of a cattle dog who uses instinct and rescues a family stranded in a blizzard. Watercolor illustrations.
The Way to School
by Rosemary McCarney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
With full-color photographs, children in many countries around the world share their different and sometimes dangerous experiences going to school.
by Rosemary McCarney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
With full-color photographs, children in many countries around the world share their different and sometimes dangerous experiences going to school.
The Whisper
written and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A young girl imagines stories for each lavish picture in a magical book that is missing its words. Mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A young girl imagines stories for each lavish picture in a magical book that is missing its words. Mixed-media illustrations.
Trapped!
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A humpback whale, caught in fishing nets, is freed by divers. Based on a true story. Vivid gouache illustrations.
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A humpback whale, caught in fishing nets, is freed by divers. Based on a true story. Vivid gouache illustrations.
Two White Rabbits
by Jairo Buitrago
Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Migrating with her father to the United States, a young girl shares the ways she occupies herself during the harrowing journey. Detailed, expressive digital illustrations. End note.
by Jairo Buitrago
Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Migrating with her father to the United States, a young girl shares the ways she occupies herself during the harrowing journey. Detailed, expressive digital illustrations. End note.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
by Kate Messner
Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The flourishing plants and animals above the earth and roots and animals in the dirt below are described as grandmother and child tend a garden. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
by Kate Messner
Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
The flourishing plants and animals above the earth and roots and animals in the dirt below are described as grandmother and child tend a garden. Colorful, detailed illustrations.
Water is Water
by Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Siblings explore the many different forms that water takes during each season. Lyrical text with realistic watercolor and gouache illustrations. Back matter provides scientific facts and bibliography.
by Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Siblings explore the many different forms that water takes during each season. Lyrical text with realistic watercolor and gouache illustrations. Back matter provides scientific facts and bibliography.
Weird & Wild Animal Facts
by Jessica Loy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Some fairly common animals have some very unusual characteristics used for defense, feeding, cleansing, and camouflage. Photographs.
by Jessica Loy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Some fairly common animals have some very unusual characteristics used for defense, feeding, cleansing, and camouflage. Photographs.
Whale Trails: Before and Now
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A whale-watching trip from Cape Cod today is juxtaposed with the history of the lucrative whaling industry's expeditions in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gouache, acrylic and pencil illustrations. Includes back matter.
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
A whale-watching trip from Cape Cod today is juxtaposed with the history of the lucrative whaling industry's expeditions in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gouache, acrylic and pencil illustrations. Includes back matter.
What in the World?
by Nancy Raines Day
Illustrator: Kurt Cyrus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Large scale, colorful illustrations and a simple rhyming text describe birds two by two, three by three, and other sets in nature.
by Nancy Raines Day
Illustrator: Kurt Cyrus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Large scale, colorful illustrations and a simple rhyming text describe birds two by two, three by three, and other sets in nature.
What James Said
by Liz Rosenberg
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
It hurts to lose your best friend, especially through a misunderstanding. Can they make up? Appealing pen and watercolor illustrations.
by Liz Rosenberg
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
It hurts to lose your best friend, especially through a misunderstanding. Can they make up? Appealing pen and watercolor illustrations.
What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night
written and photographed by Refe & Susan Tuma
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
An unexplainable mess in your house could mean an invasion of plastic dinosaurs. Bold colorful photographs of the mayhem.
written and photographed by Refe & Susan Tuma
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
An unexplainable mess in your house could mean an invasion of plastic dinosaurs. Bold colorful photographs of the mayhem.
When Otis Courted Mama
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: Jill McElmurry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Set in New Mexico, a young coyote learns to accept his divorced mother's suitor. Gouache illustrations portray the southwestern desert.
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: Jill McElmurry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Set in New Mexico, a young coyote learns to accept his divorced mother's suitor. Gouache illustrations portray the southwestern desert.
When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt
written and illustrated by Molly Bang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When Sophie's painting of her favorite tree is criticized her feelings get hurt. A caring teacher helps. Vivid, bold illustrations.
written and illustrated by Molly Bang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
When Sophie's painting of her favorite tree is criticized her feelings get hurt. A caring teacher helps. Vivid, bold illustrations.
When the Wind Blows
by Stacy Clark
Illustrator: Brad Sneed
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
What wind can do--from blowing sails to turning windmills to produce power. Poetically told with appealing illustrations.
by Stacy Clark
Illustrator: Brad Sneed
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
What wind can do--from blowing sails to turning windmills to produce power. Poetically told with appealing illustrations.