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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Frances Dean Who Loved to Dance and Dance
written and illustrated by Birgitta Sif
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Will shy Frances Dean learn to share her talent with others? Perhaps a new friend can help. Digitally penciled and colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Birgitta Sif
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Will shy Frances Dean learn to share her talent with others? Perhaps a new friend can help. Digitally penciled and colored illustrations.
Galápagos George
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
One million years ago giant tortoises migrated to the Galápagos Islands and slowly evolved into different kinds of tortoises. Realistic watercolor paintings.
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
One million years ago giant tortoises migrated to the Galápagos Islands and slowly evolved into different kinds of tortoises. Realistic watercolor paintings.
Goal!
by Sean Taylor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Appealing photographs of children playing soccer in various countries are accompanied by a running text about the game and a historical note for each country.
by Sean Taylor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Appealing photographs of children playing soccer in various countries are accompanied by a running text about the game and a historical note for each country.
Grandma
written and illustrated by Jessica Shepherd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Oliver learns that he can still enjoy Grandma as she becomes more forgetful and moves to a “special home.” Colorful, poignant illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jessica Shepherd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Oliver learns that he can still enjoy Grandma as she becomes more forgetful and moves to a “special home.” Colorful, poignant illustrations.
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Although her brothers tease that she is just a beginner, Hana steps out at the talent show with her own unique performance honoring her grandfather. Pencil illustrations, digitally colored
by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Although her brothers tease that she is just a beginner, Hana steps out at the talent show with her own unique performance honoring her grandfather. Pencil illustrations, digitally colored
Handle With Care
by Loree Griffin Burns
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Butterflies change from eggs to caterpillars to pupae under the meticulous care of workers on a farm in Costa Rica. Colorful photographs detail the stages.
by Loree Griffin Burns
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Butterflies change from eggs to caterpillars to pupae under the meticulous care of workers on a farm in Costa Rica. Colorful photographs detail the stages.
Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?
by Rita Gray
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Why do the nesting birds remain so quiet, when all the other birds are full of sounds and songs? Delicate watercolor and digital media illustrations.
by Rita Gray
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Why do the nesting birds remain so quiet, when all the other birds are full of sounds and songs? Delicate watercolor and digital media illustrations.
Healing the Bruises
by Lori Morgan
Illustrator: Kathy Kaulbach
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Simple text and quasi graphic illustrations eloquently describe the escape of a girl and her mother from a physically abusive relationship to a safe home.
by Lori Morgan
Illustrator: Kathy Kaulbach
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Simple text and quasi graphic illustrations eloquently describe the escape of a girl and her mother from a physically abusive relationship to a safe home.
Here Comes Santa Cat
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Claudia Rueda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
It's December 24th, and Cat is on Santa's naughty list. Can Cat get on Santa's “good” list in time to get a present? Spare ink-and-color pencil illustrations.
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Claudia Rueda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
It's December 24th, and Cat is on Santa's naughty list. Can Cat get on Santa's “good” list in time to get a present? Spare ink-and-color pencil illustrations.
Here Comes the Easter Cat
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Claudia Rueda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Cat tries to replace the Easter Bunny but discovers its a hard job with no time for naps. Cat's feelings are evident in the simple ink-and-color pencil illustrations.
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Claudia Rueda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Cat tries to replace the Easter Bunny but discovers its a hard job with no time for naps. Cat's feelings are evident in the simple ink-and-color pencil illustrations.
Hermelin the Detective Mouse
written and illustrated by Mini Grey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A mouse with a typewriter secretly helps his human neighbors find lost items and rescue babies. Clever, detailed mixed-media art adds to the fun.
written and illustrated by Mini Grey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A mouse with a typewriter secretly helps his human neighbors find lost items and rescue babies. Clever, detailed mixed-media art adds to the fun.
Hi, Koo!
written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In twenty-six haiku, Panda cub Koo and his friends explore the changing seasons. Ink and watercolors capture the humor and imagery of the poems.
written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In twenty-six haiku, Panda cub Koo and his friends explore the changing seasons. Ink and watercolors capture the humor and imagery of the poems.
Hurricanes
by Renée Gray-Wilburn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Rain falls in sheets, the wind howls, bends trees and tosses objects. How do we know if it is a hurricane? Dramatic photographs.
by Renée Gray-Wilburn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Rain falls in sheets, the wind howls, bends trees and tosses objects. How do we know if it is a hurricane? Dramatic photographs.
I Hatched!
by Jill Esbaum
Illustrator: Jen Corace
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A killdeer chick is traced from birth through its development in clear, amusing rhymes and engaging watercolors.
by Jill Esbaum
Illustrator: Jen Corace
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A killdeer chick is traced from birth through its development in clear, amusing rhymes and engaging watercolors.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel
by Caryn Yacowitz
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Enjoy Chanukah fun as Grandma downs a dreidel, latkes, brisket, gelt, and a menorah. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
by Caryn Yacowitz
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Enjoy Chanukah fun as Grandma downs a dreidel, latkes, brisket, gelt, and a menorah. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
I'm My Own Dog
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
An autonomous dog adopts a lonely human, teaches him some tricks, and makes a new best friend. Expressive watercolor illustrations show who's top dog.
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
An autonomous dog adopts a lonely human, teaches him some tricks, and makes a new best friend. Expressive watercolor illustrations show who's top dog.
In Search of the Little Prince
written and illustrated by Bimba Landmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life of the creator of the endearing Little Prince is told whimsically with photographs, quotations, and drawings that create a world of fantasy.
written and illustrated by Bimba Landmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life of the creator of the endearing Little Prince is told whimsically with photographs, quotations, and drawings that create a world of fantasy.
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
by Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Kidnapped from his family in central Africa, a young gorilla finds friends and a new home after twenty-seven years on display in a mall.
by Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Kidnapped from his family in central Africa, a young gorilla finds friends and a new home after twenty-seven years on display in a mall.
Jasper John Dooley: Not in Love
by Caroline Adderson
Illustrator: Ben Clanton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Jasper attempts to thwart Isabel's vocal love for him, but his plans don't go well. Black-and-white drawings.
by Caroline Adderson
Illustrator: Ben Clanton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Jasper attempts to thwart Isabel's vocal love for him, but his plans don't go well. Black-and-white drawings.
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads
by Bob Shea
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A seven-year-old sheriff who knows all about dinosaurs outsmarts a gang of robbers. A funny and imaginative western adventure with mixed-media art.
by Bob Shea
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A seven-year-old sheriff who knows all about dinosaurs outsmarts a gang of robbers. A funny and imaginative western adventure with mixed-media art.
King For a Day
by Rukhsana Khan
Illustrator: Christiane Krömer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Stationed in his wheelchair on a rooftop in Lahore, Malik celebrates the festival of Basant, expertly bringing down competitors' kites with his small, speedy kite. Colorful mixed-media collages.
by Rukhsana Khan
Illustrator: Christiane Krömer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Stationed in his wheelchair on a rooftop in Lahore, Malik celebrates the festival of Basant, expertly bringing down competitors' kites with his small, speedy kite. Colorful mixed-media collages.
Leontyne Price
by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Raul Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Following in Marian Anderson's groundbreaking footsteps, Leontyne Price sang her way from a church gospel choir to the Metropolitan Opera House. Soft mixed-media illustrations.
by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Raul Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Following in Marian Anderson's groundbreaking footsteps, Leontyne Price sang her way from a church gospel choir to the Metropolitan Opera House. Soft mixed-media illustrations.
Leroy Ninker Saddles Up
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
After acquiring a horse named Maybelline, Leroy Ninker learns that there is more to being a cowboy than just dressing the part. Whimsical gouache illustrations.
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
After acquiring a horse named Maybelline, Leroy Ninker learns that there is more to being a cowboy than just dressing the part. Whimsical gouache illustrations.
Lindbergh
written and illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
An inventive mouse constructs a flying machine to travel from Germany to America. Could his flight have inspired Charles Lindbergh? Fascinating, muted watercolors.
written and illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
An inventive mouse constructs a flying machine to travel from Germany to America. Could his flight have inspired Charles Lindbergh? Fascinating, muted watercolors.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
by Katheryn Russell-Brown
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Melba Doretta Liston, an African American child prodigy, overcame the challenges faced by women and people of color of her era to share her trailblazing jazz. Lively oil paintings and insightful back matter.
by Katheryn Russell-Brown
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Melba Doretta Liston, an African American child prodigy, overcame the challenges faced by women and people of color of her era to share her trailblazing jazz. Lively oil paintings and insightful back matter.