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 Secret Life of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Joan Paley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life cycle of the caterpillar that becomes an Isabella Tiger Moth is described with detailed illustrations.
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Joan Paley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life cycle of the caterpillar that becomes an Isabella Tiger Moth is described with detailed illustrations.
The Soccer Fence
by Phil Bildner
Illustrator: Jesse Joshua Watson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A young black South African wishes to play soccer with the better equipped white boys, but under Apartheid, it's not possible. Rich, vibrant pencil and acrylic illustrations.
by Phil Bildner
Illustrator: Jesse Joshua Watson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A young black South African wishes to play soccer with the better equipped white boys, but under Apartheid, it's not possible. Rich, vibrant pencil and acrylic illustrations.
Thomas Jefferson
written and illustrated by Maira Kalman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life of this famous American is conveyed through verbal and visual sketches that capture his range and complexity. Vibrant paintings.
written and illustrated by Maira Kalman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The life of this famous American is conveyed through verbal and visual sketches that capture his range and complexity. Vibrant paintings.
Tiny Creatures
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
What living things exist everywhere, and are so small that billions are inside your body? Learn what they are and about the amazing things they do. Clear, detailed watercolors.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
What living things exist everywhere, and are so small that billions are inside your body? Learn what they are and about the amazing things they do. Clear, detailed watercolors.
Tippy and the Night Parade
written and illustrated by Lilli Carré
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Tippy doesn't remember just how all these animals got into her room! Follow her sleepwalking adventure to find out. Clever digitally colored graphics.
written and illustrated by Lilli Carré
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Tippy doesn't remember just how all these animals got into her room! Follow her sleepwalking adventure to find out. Clever digitally colored graphics.
Tuesday Tucks Me In
by Luis Carlos Montalván
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Service dog Tuesday introduces her human companion, a wounded soldier, and describes all the different ways she helps him everyday. Illustrated with colorful photographs.
by Luis Carlos Montalván
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Service dog Tuesday introduces her human companion, a wounded soldier, and describes all the different ways she helps him everyday. Illustrated with colorful photographs.
‘Twas Nochebuena
by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A warm holiday tale, peppered with Spanish words, touches on traditions to be eaten, sung, and celebrated. Uplifting illustrations embellish the rituals.
by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A warm holiday tale, peppered with Spanish words, touches on traditions to be eaten, sung, and celebrated. Uplifting illustrations embellish the rituals.
Two Parrots
written and illustrated by Rashin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A clever parrot conspires with a friend to win his freedom from a Persian merchant. Vibrantly colored acrylic paintings on handmade paper.
written and illustrated by Rashin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A clever parrot conspires with a friend to win his freedom from a Persian merchant. Vibrantly colored acrylic paintings on handmade paper.
Viva Frida
by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Artist Frida Kahlo, manifested both as a puppet and as an acrylic-painted figure, sees, plays, dreams, creates, and lives. Vivid, powerful colors and dynamic spreads. Bilingual.
by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Artist Frida Kahlo, manifested both as a puppet and as an acrylic-painted figure, sees, plays, dreams, creates, and lives. Vivid, powerful colors and dynamic spreads. Bilingual.
Waiting Is Not Easy! (Elephant & Piggie)
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but waiting for it is very hard! Amusingly impatient illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but waiting for it is very hard! Amusingly impatient illustrations.
Water Rolls, Water Rises/El Agua Rueda, El Agua Sube
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
These poetic tributes to water in all its moods, movements, and majesty inspire gratitude and awe. Bilingual text in English and Spanish. Illustrations add energy, location, and beauty.
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
These poetic tributes to water in all its moods, movements, and majesty inspire gratitude and awe. Bilingual text in English and Spanish. Illustrations add energy, location, and beauty.
Weeds Find a Way
by Cindy Jenson-Elliott
Illustrator: Carolyn Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A poetic exploration of how the uncelebrated weed travels and grows. Vibrant, full-page illustrations.
by Cindy Jenson-Elliott
Illustrator: Carolyn Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
A poetic exploration of how the uncelebrated weed travels and grows. Vibrant, full-page illustrations.
What If...?
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Looking for his friend's party, Joe passes one strange house after another. Surreal gouache and crayon illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Looking for his friend's party, Joe passes one strange house after another. Surreal gouache and crayon illustrations.
What's New? The Zoo!
by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Marcellus Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Royal menageries, Victorian zoos, and many scientists have all contributed to the development of contemporary animals parks. Delightful watercolors.
by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Marcellus Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Royal menageries, Victorian zoos, and many scientists have all contributed to the development of contemporary animals parks. Delightful watercolors.
What's Your Favorite Animal?
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The favorite animals of renowned children's book artists come to life in marvelous illustrations and sweet musings.
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
The favorite animals of renowned children's book artists come to life in marvelous illustrations and sweet musings.
Where's Mommy?
by Beverly Donofrio
Illustrator: Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Maria lives upstairs, Mouse Mouse downstairs. Though their families don't know it, they are friends. Detailed illustrations in pen-and-ink, watercolor, and gouache.
by Beverly Donofrio
Illustrator: Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Maria lives upstairs, Mouse Mouse downstairs. Though their families don't know it, they are friends. Detailed illustrations in pen-and-ink, watercolor, and gouache.
Wild About Bears
written and illustrated by Jeannie Brett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Learn about the similarities and differences of bear species and how to protect them. Engaging accessible text and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jeannie Brett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Learn about the similarities and differences of bear species and how to protect them. Engaging accessible text and watercolor illustrations.
Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Rick Allen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Poems evoke the season as plants and animals respond to the cold. Hand-painted, digitized, layered linoleum cuts show nature's beauty. Vocabulary-rich information appears in sidebars. Glossary.
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Rick Allen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Poems evoke the season as plants and animals respond to the cold. Hand-painted, digitized, layered linoleum cuts show nature's beauty. Vocabulary-rich information appears in sidebars. Glossary.
Zoe's Jungle
written and illustrated by Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Sisters Addie and Zoe have a wild, imaginative adventure during their last four minutes at the park. Playful pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2014
Sisters Addie and Zoe have a wild, imaginative adventure during their last four minutes at the park. Playful pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations.
123 Versus ABC
written and illustrated by Mike Boldt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Bright, digitally painted illustrations lend energy and humor to this story of a 1 and an A who duel for control of the book.
written and illustrated by Mike Boldt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Bright, digitally painted illustrations lend energy and humor to this story of a 1 and an A who duel for control of the book.
A Baseball Story
written and illustrated by Richard Torrey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
What's even better than ice cream? Baseball! It's the first day of the season and Jordan can't wait to step up tp the plate. Cheerful color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Richard Torrey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
What's even better than ice cream? Baseball! It's the first day of the season and Jordan can't wait to step up tp the plate. Cheerful color illustrations.
A Big Guy Took My Ball (Elephant & Piggie series)
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Elephant wants to help Piggie get her ball back, but the big guy is really, really big. Amusing line drawings and simple text.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Elephant wants to help Piggie get her ball back, but the big guy is really, really big. Amusing line drawings and simple text.
A Butterfly Called Hope
by Mary Alice Monroe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Hope finds a butterfly and learns to identify and care for it in this story of the life cycle of a monarch. Photographs show development at each stage.
by Mary Alice Monroe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Hope finds a butterfly and learns to identify and care for it in this story of the life cycle of a monarch. Photographs show development at each stage.
Agatha: Girl of Mystery
by Steve Stevenson
Illustrator: Stefano Turconi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Dash and his spunky cousin Agatha join forces to discover who defiled the temple of Hindu goddess Kali. Black and white illustrations.
by Steve Stevenson
Illustrator: Stefano Turconi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Dash and his spunky cousin Agatha join forces to discover who defiled the temple of Hindu goddess Kali. Black and white illustrations.
A Good Trade
by Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Karen Patkau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
After a long walk, barefoot, to collect water, Kato gets a wonderful surprise. Bright, digital collages.
by Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Karen Patkau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
After a long walk, barefoot, to collect water, Kato gets a wonderful surprise. Bright, digital collages.