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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Saving Sammy
by Eric Walters
Illustrator: Amy Meissner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When her dog finds a baby beaver stranded after a flood, Morgan and her family try to rescue it. Appealing black-and-white illustrations.
by Eric Walters
Illustrator: Amy Meissner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When her dog finds a baby beaver stranded after a flood, Morgan and her family try to rescue it. Appealing black-and-white illustrations.
Secrets of the Seashore
by Carron Brown
Illustrator: Alyssa Nassner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
This clever book presents tide pools which are full of hidden sea creatures revealed by shining a light behind the page. Investigation is encouraged. Illustrations in color and black-and-white.
by Carron Brown
Illustrator: Alyssa Nassner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
This clever book presents tide pools which are full of hidden sea creatures revealed by shining a light behind the page. Investigation is encouraged. Illustrations in color and black-and-white.
Separate Is Never Equal
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Sylvia Mendez was sent to a segregated school for Mexicans instead of her local public school, but her family sued the school district and won, seven years before the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case. Hand-drawn, digitally colored and collage illustrations and extensive back matter. (Note: Rather than asking for a new trial in state court as described in the book, the school district actually requested a review by an appellate court and the entire proceeding was heard in federal courts. Nonetheless the book is a superb account of this significant but little known civil rights case.)
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Sylvia Mendez was sent to a segregated school for Mexicans instead of her local public school, but her family sued the school district and won, seven years before the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case. Hand-drawn, digitally colored and collage illustrations and extensive back matter. (Note: Rather than asking for a new trial in state court as described in the book, the school district actually requested a review by an appellate court and the entire proceeding was heard in federal courts. Nonetheless the book is a superb account of this significant but little known civil rights case.)
Sequoia
by Tony Johnston
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A giant old sequoia watches over the forest and its wildlife year after year throughout the changing seasons. Colorful gouache watercolors.
by Tony Johnston
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A giant old sequoia watches over the forest and its wildlife year after year throughout the changing seasons. Colorful gouache watercolors.
Shh! We Have a Plan
written and illustrated by Chris Haughton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Three hunters are outwitted by a child and a bird in this practically wordless story. Brilliantly colored digital illustrations enhance the humor.
written and illustrated by Chris Haughton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Three hunters are outwitted by a child and a bird in this practically wordless story. Brilliantly colored digital illustrations enhance the humor.
Simon and the Bear
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Matthew Trueman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Shipwrecked on his way to America, a boy shares the Festival of Lights with a polar bear. Colorful collages and blue acrylics.
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Matthew Trueman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Shipwrecked on his way to America, a boy shares the Festival of Lights with a polar bear. Colorful collages and blue acrylics.
Star Stuff
written and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Young Carl Sagan, filled with curiosity and imagination, followed his passion: studying the solar system. Colorful acrylic paints and digitally rendered collages.
written and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Young Carl Sagan, filled with curiosity and imagination, followed his passion: studying the solar system. Colorful acrylic paints and digitally rendered collages.
Strongheart
written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A German Shepherd is retrained to star in movies. Dramatic period watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A German Shepherd is retrained to star in movies. Dramatic period watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.
S.W.I.T.C.H.: Spider Stampede
by Ali Sparkes
Illustrator: Ross Collins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Twins Josh and Danny experience first-hand what it's like to be an inset after getting involved with their neighbor's science experiments.
by Ali Sparkes
Illustrator: Ross Collins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Twins Josh and Danny experience first-hand what it's like to be an inset after getting involved with their neighbor's science experiments.
Take Away the A
by Michael Escoffier
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A new word is created as one letter is removed from each word. Whimsical illustrations link the two words in mini adventures.
by Michael Escoffier
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A new word is created as one letter is removed from each word. Whimsical illustrations link the two words in mini adventures.
The Adventures of Beekle
written and illustrated by Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Beekle sets out from his island of imaginary friends to find the child to whom he belongs. Mixed-media illustrations convey a child's-eye view of his brave journey.
written and illustrated by Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Beekle sets out from his island of imaginary friends to find the child to whom he belongs. Mixed-media illustrations convey a child's-eye view of his brave journey.
The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, The Wolf, and Grandma
written and illustrated by Diane Fox
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In this comical metafiction exchange, as Cat reads a classic fairy tale she must endure Dog's constant queries. Sketch-style sparse color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Diane Fox
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In this comical metafiction exchange, as Cat reads a classic fairy tale she must endure Dog's constant queries. Sketch-style sparse color illustrations.
The Chicken Squad
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Kevin Cornell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Four chicks must figure out what frightened Tail, a not-so-brave squirrel. Graphite, watercolor and digital illustrations.
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Kevin Cornell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Four chicks must figure out what frightened Tail, a not-so-brave squirrel. Graphite, watercolor and digital illustrations.
The Farmer and the Clown
written and illustrated by Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When a little clown gets separated from the circus train, a reluctant farmer provides loving shelter. Warm, gentle and gouache illustrations. Wordless.
written and illustrated by Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When a little clown gets separated from the circus train, a reluctant farmer provides loving shelter. Warm, gentle and gouache illustrations. Wordless.
The Grudge Keeper
by Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
An enormous wind storm buries Cornelius in a mess of townspeople's grudges, which he had carefully catalogued and stored. What will the townspeople do? Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
An enormous wind storm buries Cornelius in a mess of townspeople's grudges, which he had carefully catalogued and stored. What will the townspeople do? Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations.
The Iridescence of Birds
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The great French artist remembers a childhood filled with the colors and textures of plates, paint, fruit, flowers, silk, and pigeons. Brilliantly illustrated with relief prints.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The great French artist remembers a childhood filled with the colors and textures of plates, paint, fruit, flowers, silk, and pigeons. Brilliantly illustrated with relief prints.
The Jacket
by Kirsten Hall
Illustrator: Dasha Tolstikova
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Book's dream of being loved by a child comes true, but Book's girl also loves her dog. When the dog ruins him, Book worries that his girl won't love him anymore. Wonderfully expressive watercolors.
by Kirsten Hall
Illustrator: Dasha Tolstikova
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Book's dream of being loved by a child comes true, but Book's girl also loves her dog. When the dog ruins him, Book worries that his girl won't love him anymore. Wonderfully expressive watercolors.
The Miniature World of Marvin & James (The Masterpiece Adventures)
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Marvin, the beetle, is worried when his boy, James, goes away on vacation. A scary adventure soon cures him of his boredom. Pen-and-ink illustrations.
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Marvin, the beetle, is worried when his boy, James, goes away on vacation. A scary adventure soon cures him of his boredom. Pen-and-ink illustrations.
The Most Magnificent Thing
written and illustrated by Ashley Spires
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
With the help of her dog assistant, a young girl overcomes frustration to create something wonderful. Funny, digitally-generated illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ashley Spires
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
With the help of her dog assistant, a young girl overcomes frustration to create something wonderful. Funny, digitally-generated illustrations.
The Noisy Paint Box
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mary Grandpré
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Can someone see colors as sounds and sounds as colors? Kandinsky did, and he became a famous painter of abstract art, inspired by the music he heard. Colorful, expressive illustrations.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mary Grandpré
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Can someone see colors as sounds and sounds as colors? Kandinsky did, and he became a famous painter of abstract art, inspired by the music he heard. Colorful, expressive illustrations.
The Numberlys
written and illustrated by William Joyce
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When numbers made the world an orderly place, five friends decided that things should change -- and invented the alphabet. Illustrations change too, from somber to colorful.
written and illustrated by William Joyce
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
When numbers made the world an orderly place, five friends decided that things should change -- and invented the alphabet. Illustrations change too, from somber to colorful.
The Pandas and their Chopsticks
written and illustrated by Demi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Ten short stories that show the importance of sharing, humility, and other principles to live by. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Demi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Ten short stories that show the importance of sharing, humility, and other principles to live by. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
The Pilot and the Little Prince
written and illustrated by Peter Sis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A spare narrative, meaty captions, and detailed colorful illustrations depict the connections between Saint-Exupery's life and that of The Little Prince.
written and illustrated by Peter Sis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A spare narrative, meaty captions, and detailed colorful illustrations depict the connections between Saint-Exupery's life and that of The Little Prince.
The Scraps Book
written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Enter author Lois Ehlert's world and understand her creative collage process. Exuberant illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Enter author Lois Ehlert's world and understand her creative collage process. Exuberant illustrations.
The Secret Galaxy
by Fran Hodgkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In its own words, the Milky Way tells about its composition, particularly the stars and black holes. Stunning photographs from different views enhance understanding.
by Fran Hodgkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
In its own words, the Milky Way tells about its composition, particularly the stars and black holes. Stunning photographs from different views enhance understanding.