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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Alan and His Perfectly Pointy Impossibly Perpendicular Pinky
by Alan Page
Illustrator: David Geister
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Why is Judge Alan Page's pinky finger so odd looking? This former defensive tackle shares his secrets in a read aloud session at his old school. Oil painting illustrations.
by Alan Page
Illustrator: David Geister
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Why is Judge Alan Page's pinky finger so odd looking? This former defensive tackle shares his secrets in a read aloud session at his old school. Oil painting illustrations.
All About Ellie (The Critter Club series)
by Callie Barkley
Illustrator: Marsha Riti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
When Ellie gets a starring role in the spring play, she neglects her friends and the animals in the Critter Club shelter. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Callie Barkley
Illustrator: Marsha Riti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
When Ellie gets a starring role in the spring play, she neglects her friends and the animals in the Critter Club shelter. Black-and-white illustrations.
A Moose That Says Mooooooo
by Jennifer Hamburg
Illustrator: Sue Truesdell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A series of silly animals form a chaotic zoo, created by an inventive young girl. Sing-song rhythms and cartoon-like illustrations.
by Jennifer Hamburg
Illustrator: Sue Truesdell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A series of silly animals form a chaotic zoo, created by an inventive young girl. Sing-song rhythms and cartoon-like illustrations.
Amy and the Missing Puppy (The Critter Club series)
by Callie Barkley
Illustrator: Marsha Riti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
The rescue of a Saint Bernard puppy leads Amy and her friends to start an animal rescue center. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Callie Barkley
Illustrator: Marsha Riti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
The rescue of a Saint Bernard puppy leads Amy and her friends to start an animal rescue center. Black-and-white illustrations.
Ann and Nan are Anagrams
by Mark Shulman
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Drool! Win a fussy chump! Word play is so much fun! Bold, funny mixed-media illustrations.
by Mark Shulman
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Drool! Win a fussy chump! Word play is so much fun! Bold, funny mixed-media illustrations.
A Pet Named Sneaker
by Joan Heilbroner
Illustrator: Pascal Lemaitre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Colorful, cartoon-like illustrations accompany this story of a pet snake which proves to be far more than meets the eye.
by Joan Heilbroner
Illustrator: Pascal Lemaitre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Colorful, cartoon-like illustrations accompany this story of a pet snake which proves to be far more than meets the eye.
Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad?
by Julie Middleton
Illustrator: Russell Ayto
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Dad assures Dave that dinosaurs are dead, but after a visit to a museum, he is not so sure. Quirky pen, ink, watercolor, and collage illustrations.
by Julie Middleton
Illustrator: Russell Ayto
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Dad assures Dave that dinosaurs are dead, but after a visit to a museum, he is not so sure. Quirky pen, ink, watercolor, and collage illustrations.
A Splash of Red
by Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
As a child, Horace Pippin loved to draw, but a war injury interrupted his career, until he found a unique way to continue his art, which was celebrated in his later years. Excellent multi-media illustrations and references.
by Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
As a child, Horace Pippin loved to draw, but a war injury interrupted his career, until he found a unique way to continue his art, which was celebrated in his later years. Excellent multi-media illustrations and references.
Awesome Dawson
written and illustrated by Chris Gall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Dawson invented his “Vacu-Maniac” to do his chores, but now his gigantic robot is out of control. Engravings with color on ink-coated clayboard.
written and illustrated by Chris Gall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Dawson invented his “Vacu-Maniac” to do his chores, but now his gigantic robot is out of control. Engravings with color on ink-coated clayboard.
Beavers
written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Full page and close-up labeled illustrations bring common and unique facts about beavers and their habitats to life.
written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Full page and close-up labeled illustrations bring common and unique facts about beavers and their habitats to life.
Becoming Babe Ruth
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
He grew up to be one of history's greatest baseball players, but he never forgot the reform school where his talents were nurtured. Gentle watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
He grew up to be one of history's greatest baseball players, but he never forgot the reform school where his talents were nurtured. Gentle watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
Ben Rides On
written and illustrated by Matt Davies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Colorful illustrations bring to life the tale of an imposing bully, a stolen bicycle, and a lesson learned.
written and illustrated by Matt Davies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Colorful illustrations bring to life the tale of an imposing bully, a stolen bicycle, and a lesson learned.
Billie B. Brown, The Bad Butterfly
by Sally Rippin
Illustrator: Aki Fukuoka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Billie wants to be a delicate ballerina, but even practice doesn't make her perfect, until she and her friend Jack come up with a new plan. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
by Sally Rippin
Illustrator: Aki Fukuoka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Billie wants to be a delicate ballerina, but even practice doesn't make her perfect, until she and her friend Jack come up with a new plan. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever (Bink & Gollie series)
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Tony Fucile
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Friendship between companions of different sizes and ideas survives imaginative exploits in three short stories. Simple but expressive and humorous illustrations.
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Tony Fucile
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Friendship between companions of different sizes and ideas survives imaginative exploits in three short stories. Simple but expressive and humorous illustrations.
Bone by Bone
by Sara Levine
Illustrator: T.S Spookytooth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
What animal would you be like if your finger bones reached your feet? If you had no arms? Guess and compare your skeleton to other animals. Useful illustrations.
by Sara Levine
Illustrator: T.S Spookytooth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
What animal would you be like if your finger bones reached your feet? If you had no arms? Guess and compare your skeleton to other animals. Useful illustrations.
Boris For the Win (Boris series)
written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Boris has big ideas that lead him and his friends on adventures. Illustrations add more detail to the story. Each book ends with an activity.
written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Boris has big ideas that lead him and his friends on adventures. Illustrations add more detail to the story. Each book ends with an activity.
Boris Gets a Lizard (Boris series)
written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
see Boris For the Win
written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
see Boris For the Win
Boris on the Move (Boris series)
written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
see Boris For the Win
written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
see Boris For the Win
Bramble and Maggie
by Jessie Haas
Illustrator: Alison Friend
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
The second in a series, this early chapter book tells a charming tale of a relationship between a girl, her horse, and her neighbor. Expressive watercolors.
by Jessie Haas
Illustrator: Alison Friend
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
The second in a series, this early chapter book tells a charming tale of a relationship between a girl, her horse, and her neighbor. Expressive watercolors.
Brave Girl
by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Newly arrived in New York City as an immigrant, Clara Lemlich goes from overworked factory seamstress to pioneering labor leader. Mixed-media illustrations. Good references.
by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Newly arrived in New York City as an immigrant, Clara Lemlich goes from overworked factory seamstress to pioneering labor leader. Mixed-media illustrations. Good references.
Brick By Brick
by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Though slaves worked long hard hours building the White House, their wages went to their owners. Sepia-toned oil.
by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Though slaves worked long hard hours building the White House, their wages went to their owners. Sepia-toned oil.
Brush of the Gods
by Lenore Look
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Seventh Century Chinese artist Wu Daozi's paintings were so magical that they came to life. Watercolor, ink, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations.
by Lenore Look
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Seventh Century Chinese artist Wu Daozi's paintings were so magical that they came to life. Watercolor, ink, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations.
Bugs In My Hair
written and illustrated by David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Larger than life, exaggerated illustrations and some well-chosen words tell the tale of fighting a lice infestation.
written and illustrated by David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Larger than life, exaggerated illustrations and some well-chosen words tell the tale of fighting a lice infestation.
Building Our House
written and illustrated by Jonathan Bean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
From weedy field to family home, a compelling look at the how-to's of construction and the experiences that bind a family. Informative, detailed, watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jonathan Bean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
From weedy field to family home, a compelling look at the how-to's of construction and the experiences that bind a family. Informative, detailed, watercolor illustrations.
Can't Scare Me
written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
In this captivating read-aloud, a boy who knows no fear gets a dose of humility when he encounters the three-headed giant that his grandmother foretold. Tempera and watercolor paintings accent the humor.
written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
In this captivating read-aloud, a boy who knows no fear gets a dose of humility when he encounters the three-headed giant that his grandmother foretold. Tempera and watercolor paintings accent the humor.