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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Wherever You Go
by Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Rabbit and animal friends journey over mountain peaks, cities, and winding roads to discover the magical worlds that await. Rich ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Rabbit and animal friends journey over mountain peaks, cities, and winding roads to discover the magical worlds that await. Rich ink and watercolor illustrations.
Who Wants Broccoli?
written and illustrated by Val Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Left on the doorstep of an animal shelter, a dog with attention-getting antics and a loud bark finally finds a new home. Animated, humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Val Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Left on the doorstep of an animal shelter, a dog with attention-getting antics and a loud bark finally finds a new home. Animated, humorous illustrations.
Willy's Stories
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Readers are invited to join Willy on his adventures and to guess where he's gone. Intriguing mixed-media illustrations show the world of many classic children's books.
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
Readers are invited to join Willy on his adventures and to guess where he's gone. Intriguing mixed-media illustrations show the world of many classic children's books.
Winnie
by Sally M. Walker
Illustrator: Jonathan D. Voss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
While her owner goes to war, a bear named Winnie stays in the London Zoo where she plays with a boy named Christopher Robin. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.
by Sally M. Walker
Illustrator: Jonathan D. Voss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
While her owner goes to war, a bear named Winnie stays in the London Zoo where she plays with a boy named Christopher Robin. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.
X Marks the Spot (Puppy Pirates series)
by Erin Soderberg
Illustrator: Russ Cox
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
List with Stowaway! (Puppy Pirate Series)
by Erin Soderberg
Illustrator: Russ Cox
Ages: 6+
Published: 2015
List with Stowaway! (Puppy Pirate Series)
A Baby Elephant in the Wild
by Caitlin O'Connell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Did you know that baby elephants weigh 150 pounds at birth and grow inside their mothers for two years? Follow a baby and its family for a year in Namibia. Color photographs.
by Caitlin O'Connell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Did you know that baby elephants weigh 150 pounds at birth and grow inside their mothers for two years? Follow a baby and its family for a year in Namibia. Color photographs.
A Boy and A Jaguar
by Alan Rabinowitz
Illustrator: Catia Chien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A boy who stutters but can talk to animals without stuttering grows up to study and protect endangered animals.
by Alan Rabinowitz
Illustrator: Catia Chien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A boy who stutters but can talk to animals without stuttering grows up to study and protect endangered animals.
Abuelo
by Arthur Dorros
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Watercolor and pencil paintings illustrate the memories of a boy's days riding the pampas with his grandfather. Spanish words appear in context.
by Arthur Dorros
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Watercolor and pencil paintings illustrate the memories of a boy's days riding the pampas with his grandfather. Spanish words appear in context.
A Dance Like Starlight
by Kristy Dempsey
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The first African American to dance with the Metropolitan Opera, in 1951, inspires a young girl from Harlem. Soft, mixed-media illustrations.
by Kristy Dempsey
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The first African American to dance with the Metropolitan Opera, in 1951, inspires a young girl from Harlem. Soft, mixed-media illustrations.
All Different Now
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A little girl in Texas tells about the day her family finally learned that they had been freed from slavery. Evocative watercolor paintings mirror their heartfelt emotions.
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A little girl in Texas tells about the day her family finally learned that they had been freed from slavery. Evocative watercolor paintings mirror their heartfelt emotions.
A Mom for Umande
by Maria Faulconer
Illustrator: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
After months of nurturing a baby gorilla, her zookeepers come up with a plan to find a true mother surrogate, Colorful oil paintings. Author's note.
by Maria Faulconer
Illustrator: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
After months of nurturing a baby gorilla, her zookeepers come up with a plan to find a true mother surrogate, Colorful oil paintings. Author's note.
Ancient Animals: Saber-Toothed Cat
by Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrator: Andrew Plant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
It's 16,000 years ago, and a skilled hunter in California hides, awaiting his prey. A range of resources and illustrations of related large-toothed hunters encourage further research. Acrylic and gouache illustrations.
by Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrator: Andrew Plant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
It's 16,000 years ago, and a skilled hunter in California hides, awaiting his prey. A range of resources and illustrations of related large-toothed hunters encourage further research. Acrylic and gouache illustrations.
Animal School
by Michelle Lord
Illustrator: Michael Garland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
With rhythmic, rhyming text and vivid digi-woodcut illustrations, students are introduced to vertebrates.
by Michelle Lord
Illustrator: Michael Garland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
With rhythmic, rhyming text and vivid digi-woodcut illustrations, students are introduced to vertebrates.
Animals That Make Me Say Wow!
by Dawn Cusick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Brief text and color photographs describe how special adaptations in a variety of animals help them find food and protect themselves and their young.
by Dawn Cusick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Brief text and color photographs describe how special adaptations in a variety of animals help them find food and protect themselves and their young.
Animal Teachers
by Janet Halfmann
Illustrator: Katy Hudson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
How do animals learn their life skills? Simple explanations along with descriptive paintings. Additional facts.
by Janet Halfmann
Illustrator: Katy Hudson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
How do animals learn their life skills? Simple explanations along with descriptive paintings. Additional facts.
A Piece of Cake
written and illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Uh-oh! On the way to deliver a birthday cake for Little Bird, Mouse agrees to trade his friends' offerings until it is all gone. Now what? Clever Little Bird finds a solution. Cartoon-like pencil and digitally colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Uh-oh! On the way to deliver a birthday cake for Little Bird, Mouse agrees to trade his friends' offerings until it is all gone. Now what? Clever Little Bird finds a solution. Cartoon-like pencil and digitally colored illustrations.
A Time to be Brave
by Joan Betty Stuchner
Illustrator: Cynthia Nugent
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In 1943 Nazi-occupied Denmark, ten-year-old David helps the resistance and then flees persecution by the Germans. Dramatic line drawings.
by Joan Betty Stuchner
Illustrator: Cynthia Nugent
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In 1943 Nazi-occupied Denmark, ten-year-old David helps the resistance and then flees persecution by the Germans. Dramatic line drawings.
At the Same Moment Around the World
written and illustrated by Clotilde Perrin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Journey around the world from Dakar, Senegal to San Francisco, California to find out what is happening at the same moment, but different times. Vibrant pencil and digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Clotilde Perrin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Journey around the world from Dakar, Senegal to San Francisco, California to find out what is happening at the same moment, but different times. Vibrant pencil and digital illustrations.
Baby Bear
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When baby bear is lost in the forest, different animals offer advice to find his way home. Exquisitely rendered oil paintings.
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When baby bear is lost in the forest, different animals offer advice to find his way home. Exquisitely rendered oil paintings.
Bad Bye, Good Bye
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Jonathan Bean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A brilliant blend of rhymed text and pen and ink illustrations, both of which--in a deceptively simple way--capture a child's multifaceted emotions upon moving.
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Jonathan Bean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A brilliant blend of rhymed text and pen and ink illustrations, both of which--in a deceptively simple way--capture a child's multifaceted emotions upon moving.
Bear Hug
by Katharine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In a realistic portrayal of a bear's life cycle, a cub's parents teach him to survive in his environment. Soft color collage illustrations.
by Katharine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In a realistic portrayal of a bear's life cycle, a cub's parents teach him to survive in his environment. Soft color collage illustrations.
Beauty and the Beast
retold by H. Chuku Lee
Illustrator: Pat Cummings
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A lonely creature and a caring girl create a tender and gentle retelling. Close inspection of the African-inspired brilliant watercolor, and gouache paintings reveals pertinent details.
retold by H. Chuku Lee
Illustrator: Pat Cummings
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A lonely creature and a caring girl create a tender and gentle retelling. Close inspection of the African-inspired brilliant watercolor, and gouache paintings reveals pertinent details.
Before After
written and illustrated by Anne-Margot Ramstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Thought-provoking, enchanting colorful spreads wordlessly depict changing vistas from nature, animal life, art, science, and fairy tales.
written and illustrated by Anne-Margot Ramstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Thought-provoking, enchanting colorful spreads wordlessly depict changing vistas from nature, animal life, art, science, and fairy tales.
Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle
by Cheryl Bardoe
Illustrator: Alan Marks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Three varieties of dung beetles fight over, devour, and hoard fecal matter and lay their eggs in it in a variety of ways. Dramatic watercolor and pencil illustrations.
by Cheryl Bardoe
Illustrator: Alan Marks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Three varieties of dung beetles fight over, devour, and hoard fecal matter and lay their eggs in it in a variety of ways. Dramatic watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Benny and Penny in Lost and Found!
written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Big brother Benny and little sister Penny need each other's strengths and smarts to solve a lost-and-found mystery (or two). Told in cartoon format.
written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Big brother Benny and little sister Penny need each other's strengths and smarts to solve a lost-and-found mystery (or two). Told in cartoon format.