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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Lizards
written and photographed by Nic Bishop
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Spectacular photographs and clear text introduce a variety of these reptiles. Glossary and photo-index.
written and photographed by Nic Bishop
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Spectacular photographs and clear text introduce a variety of these reptiles. Glossary and photo-index.
Locomotive
written and illustrated by Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Readers follow one family from Omaha, Nebraska, to Sacramento, California, and learn about the transcontinental Railroad. Watercolor landscapes and close-up views of the train's inner workings heighten the experience.
written and illustrated by Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Readers follow one family from Omaha, Nebraska, to Sacramento, California, and learn about the transcontinental Railroad. Watercolor landscapes and close-up views of the train's inner workings heighten the experience.
Louise Loves Art
written and illustrated by Kelly Light
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Louise loves art but realizes that she loves her little brother even more. Pencil and Photoshop illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kelly Light
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Louise loves art but realizes that she loves her little brother even more. Pencil and Photoshop illustrations.
Lucky Dog
by Kirby Larsonet al.
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Twelve tales from a variety of authors about dogs from a rescue center, some told from the dogs' point of view and some from the new owners', will make dog lovers smile and weep.
by Kirby Larsonet al.
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Twelve tales from a variety of authors about dogs from a rescue center, some told from the dogs' point of view and some from the new owners', will make dog lovers smile and weep.
Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal, a Brave Boy from Pakistan
written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The biographies of two Pakistani children's rights activists, Malala Yousafzai and Iqbal Masih, join together in one to create a radiant whole. Flat, child-centric illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The biographies of two Pakistani children's rights activists, Malala Yousafzai and Iqbal Masih, join together in one to create a radiant whole. Flat, child-centric illustrations.
Mice Mischief
by Caroline Stills
Illustrator: Judith Rossell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Playful mice demonstrate ways to make ten as they engage in everyday work and play. Pencil, acrylic, and collage illustrations.
by Caroline Stills
Illustrator: Judith Rossell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Playful mice demonstrate ways to make ten as they engage in everyday work and play. Pencil, acrylic, and collage illustrations.
Miss Brooks' Story Nook
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Missy learns how to construct a great story and scare her bully nemesis away. Highly expressive scanned pencil and watercolor illustrations add to the humor.
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Missy learns how to construct a great story and scare her bully nemesis away. Highly expressive scanned pencil and watercolor illustrations add to the humor.
Mr. Ferris and His Wheel
by Kathryn Gibbs Davis
Illustrator: Gilbert Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Using the new metal, steel, George Ferris created the Ferris wheel, the sensation of the 1893 World's Fair. Digital mixed-media illustration with ink and watercolor.
by Kathryn Gibbs Davis
Illustrator: Gilbert Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Using the new metal, steel, George Ferris created the Ferris wheel, the sensation of the 1893 World's Fair. Digital mixed-media illustration with ink and watercolor.
Muddy, Mud, Bud
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Cale Atkinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Bud, a childlike automobile, loves to jump in the mud. Bright cartoonish illustrations.
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Cale Atkinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Bud, a childlike automobile, loves to jump in the mud. Bright cartoonish illustrations.
Music Everywhere!
by Maya Ajmera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Color photographs showcase children around the world enjoying music and playing instruments. Includes a map and simple directions for making instruments from everyday materials.
by Maya Ajmera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Color photographs showcase children around the world enjoying music and playing instruments. Includes a map and simple directions for making instruments from everyday materials.
My Bibi Always Remembers
by Tony Buzzeo
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
During a severe drought, baby elephant Bibi is separated from the herd. The rumble of her grandmother leads her back to them and to water. Simple but stunning paintings.
by Tony Buzzeo
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
During a severe drought, baby elephant Bibi is separated from the herd. The rumble of her grandmother leads her back to them and to water. Simple but stunning paintings.
My Blue Bunny, Bubbit
written and illustrated by Maggie Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A little girl and her Nonni sew a special gift for the new baby, celebrating love, creativity, and (even) siblings. Pencil, fabric, and painted papers assembled digitally.
written and illustrated by Maggie Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A little girl and her Nonni sew a special gift for the new baby, celebrating love, creativity, and (even) siblings. Pencil, fabric, and painted papers assembled digitally.
My Country ‘Tis of Thee
by Claire Rudolf Murphy
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The evolution of a song, which first celebrated a British king and which Aretha Franklin sang at Obama's inauguration, reflects US history. Dramatic watercolor and collage illustrations. Sources, bibliography, music.
by Claire Rudolf Murphy
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The evolution of a song, which first celebrated a British king and which Aretha Franklin sang at Obama's inauguration, reflects US history. Dramatic watercolor and collage illustrations. Sources, bibliography, music.
My Grandfather's Coat
retold by Jim Aylesworth
Illustrator: Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In this variation on a Yiddish folksong, an immigrant boy makes good use of his coat. Colorful pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations depict four generations of his loving family.
retold by Jim Aylesworth
Illustrator: Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In this variation on a Yiddish folksong, an immigrant boy makes good use of his coat. Colorful pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations depict four generations of his loving family.
My New Friend Is So Fun!
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When Piggie and Bernie Bat become friends, Elephant worries about his best friend status. That makes snake worry too. Expressively humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When Piggie and Bernie Bat become friends, Elephant worries about his best friend status. That makes snake worry too. Expressively humorous illustrations.
Mysterious Patterns
by Sarah C. Campbell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Gorgeous photographs accompany a simple and straightforward explanation of fractals, geometric shapes made up of smaller parts that each look like the whole shape.
by Sarah C. Campbell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Gorgeous photographs accompany a simple and straightforward explanation of fractals, geometric shapes made up of smaller parts that each look like the whole shape.
Nest
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A burst of lyrical illustrations highlights the single word on each page that evokes the joys of spring and a robin's life cycle.
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A burst of lyrical illustrations highlights the single word on each page that evokes the joys of spring and a robin's life cycle.
Oliver and the Seawigs
by Philip Reeve
Illustrator: Sarah McIntyre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When Oliver's parents disappear on a roaming island, he takes up a friendship with a mermaid on an island of his own. Humorous illustrations.
by Philip Reeve
Illustrator: Sarah McIntyre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When Oliver's parents disappear on a roaming island, he takes up a friendship with a mermaid on an island of his own. Humorous illustrations.
Once Upon a Northern Night
by Jean E. Pendziwol
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Wintry mixed-media illustrations help to convey all the wonders of nature found outside a young boy's window on a cold frosty night.
by Jean E. Pendziwol
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Wintry mixed-media illustrations help to convey all the wonders of nature found outside a young boy's window on a cold frosty night.
On Kiki's Reef
by Carol L. Malnor
Illustrator: Trina L. Hunner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life cycle of the green sea turtle as it journeys from egg to adult teaches about the ocean ecosystem. Engaging illustrations, references and resources.
by Carol L. Malnor
Illustrator: Trina L. Hunner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life cycle of the green sea turtle as it journeys from egg to adult teaches about the ocean ecosystem. Engaging illustrations, references and resources.
On the Wing
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Witty and lyrical poems about all sorts of birds accompanied by colorful, expressive gouache illustrations.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Witty and lyrical poems about all sorts of birds accompanied by colorful, expressive gouache illustrations.
Outside the Box
by Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Diane Goode
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Over 100 whimsical poems with varied styles, topics, and emotional tones speak to children's concerns, wishes, and hopes. Playful typographical and sketchy ink illustrations.
by Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Diane Goode
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Over 100 whimsical poems with varied styles, topics, and emotional tones speak to children's concerns, wishes, and hopes. Playful typographical and sketchy ink illustrations.
Planets (Scholastic Discover More Readers)
by Gail Tuchman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Interesting facts, photos, and diagrams introduce our solar system.
by Gail Tuchman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Interesting facts, photos, and diagrams introduce our solar system.
Room in My Heart
by Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Pradyut Chatterjee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
It took Nikki time to adjust to her parent's divorce. Now Daddy has a girlfriend, and Nikki has another worry: will he still love her and her sister? Black-and-white illustrations.
by Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Pradyut Chatterjee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
It took Nikki time to adjust to her parent's divorce. Now Daddy has a girlfriend, and Nikki has another worry: will he still love her and her sister? Black-and-white illustrations.
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Two friends and their dog dig in playful exploration. Suspend disbelief! Digital and colored pencil illustrations.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Two friends and their dog dig in playful exploration. Suspend disbelief! Digital and colored pencil illustrations.