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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Mysterious Traveler
by Mal Peet
Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
When desert guide Issa goes blind, his adopted granddaughter becomes his eyes. Can they rescue travelers stranded in a sandstorm? Mixed media illustrations.
by Mal Peet
Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
When desert guide Issa goes blind, his adopted granddaughter becomes his eyes. Can they rescue travelers stranded in a sandstorm? Mixed media illustrations.
Nasreddine
by Odile Weulersse
Illustrator: Rébecca Dautremer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Young Nasreddine derives wisdom from his very patient father as he learns to ignore his neighbors' criticism. Amusing watercolors.
by Odile Weulersse
Illustrator: Rébecca Dautremer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Young Nasreddine derives wisdom from his very patient father as he learns to ignore his neighbors' criticism. Amusing watercolors.
Nelly May Has Her Say
by Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
In a humorous retelling of an English folktale, Lord Pinkwinkle insists that his new housekeeper learn his special names for common objects. Vibrant ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
In a humorous retelling of an English folktale, Lord Pinkwinkle insists that his new housekeeper learn his special names for common objects. Vibrant ink and watercolor illustrations.
Nelson Mandela
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A brief but powerful portrait of the South African who led his people to equality. Strong oil paintings.
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A brief but powerful portrait of the South African who led his people to equality. Strong oil paintings.
Niño Wrestles the World
written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A very young, fearless, quick-thinking Mexican wrestler vanquished all comers--so far. But is he a match for his final opponents? Bilingual with energetic, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A very young, fearless, quick-thinking Mexican wrestler vanquished all comers--so far. But is he a match for his final opponents? Bilingual with energetic, colorful illustrations.
No Monkeys, No Chocolate
by Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Where does chocolate come from? A description backwards from candy bar to seed---with the comments of two humorous bookworms. Clear text, detailed illustrations.
by Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Where does chocolate come from? A description backwards from candy bar to seed---with the comments of two humorous bookworms. Clear text, detailed illustrations.
No Ordinary Family
written and illustrated by Ute Krause
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
When their parents divorce, the seven bandit children must adjust to new members in the family. Amusing, clever illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ute Krause
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
When their parents divorce, the seven bandit children must adjust to new members in the family. Amusing, clever illustrations.
No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou
by Rhonda Gowler Greene
Illustrator: Brian Ajhar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Big Pete storms the library looking for gold as Librarian Lou shows him a different treasure. Rhyming text, large colorful illustrations.
by Rhonda Gowler Greene
Illustrator: Brian Ajhar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Big Pete storms the library looking for gold as Librarian Lou shows him a different treasure. Rhyming text, large colorful illustrations.
Nora's Chicks
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Kathryn Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
After Nora and her family move from Russia to the American prairie, she feels very lonely--until her father brings home some chicks. Soft watercolor illustrations.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Kathryn Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
After Nora and her family move from Russia to the American prairie, she feels very lonely--until her father brings home some chicks. Soft watercolor illustrations.
Not Your Typical Dragon
by Dan Bar-el
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Seven-year-old dragons should begin breathing fire, not whipped cream, Band-Aids or marshmallows like Crispin. His new friend, Sir George, tried to help. Bold, colorful illustrations.
by Dan Bar-el
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Seven-year-old dragons should begin breathing fire, not whipped cream, Band-Aids or marshmallows like Crispin. His new friend, Sir George, tried to help. Bold, colorful illustrations.
Ol' Clip-Clop
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Was that a ghost following John Leep when the cruel landlord came in the night to evict the widow Mayes? Mixed-media and oil illustrations.
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Was that a ghost following John Leep when the cruel landlord came in the night to evict the widow Mayes? Mixed-media and oil illustrations.
On a Beam of Light
by Jennifer Berne
Illustrator: Vladimir Radunsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
The life and passions of genius and scientist Albert Einstein are captured in whimsical pen, ink and gouache illustrations.
by Jennifer Berne
Illustrator: Vladimir Radunsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
The life and passions of genius and scientist Albert Einstein are captured in whimsical pen, ink and gouache illustrations.
One Gorilla
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Bold colors and expressive faces portray primates in this surprising counting book.
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Bold colors and expressive faces portray primates in this surprising counting book.
Open This Little Book
by Jesse Klausmeier
Illustrator: Suzy Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Brightly colored die-cut pages open to reveal readers and their gentle journeys---landing at a library.
by Jesse Klausmeier
Illustrator: Suzy Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Brightly colored die-cut pages open to reveal readers and their gentle journeys---landing at a library.
Papa's Mechanical Fish
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
With help from his whole family, Papa finally succeeds in creating a submarine. Based on fact. Humorous sketches and watercolor illustrations.
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
With help from his whole family, Papa finally succeeds in creating a submarine. Based on fact. Humorous sketches and watercolor illustrations.
Paper Son
by Helen Foster James
Illustrator: Wilson Ong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Lee, a twelve-year-old “paper son”, journeys from China to America in 1926. Expressive, muted oil paintings.
by Helen Foster James
Illustrator: Wilson Ong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Lee, a twelve-year-old “paper son”, journeys from China to America in 1926. Expressive, muted oil paintings.
Parrots Over Puerto Rico
by Susan L. Roth
Illustrator: Susan L. Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
In a burst of brilliant colors, the parrots of Puerto Rico are presented in ingenious cut-paper and fabric collages. Clear, comprehensive text including the history of Puerto Rico. References.
by Susan L. Roth
Illustrator: Susan L. Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
In a burst of brilliant colors, the parrots of Puerto Rico are presented in ingenious cut-paper and fabric collages. Clear, comprehensive text including the history of Puerto Rico. References.
Part-Time Princess
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Cambria Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
With nighttime adventures as a firefighter and dragon-befriending princess, a little girl redefines this royal role. Mixed-media illustrations.
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Cambria Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
With nighttime adventures as a firefighter and dragon-befriending princess, a little girl redefines this royal role. Mixed-media illustrations.
Paul Meets Bernadette
written and illustrated by Rosy Lamb
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Paul's life was very dull until Bernadette opened his eyes to the fascinating world around him. Vibrant oil paints reveal the humor in Bernadette's perception.
written and illustrated by Rosy Lamb
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Paul's life was very dull until Bernadette opened his eyes to the fascinating world around him. Vibrant oil paints reveal the humor in Bernadette's perception.
Paul Thurlby's Wildlife
written and illustrated by Paul Thurlby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Colorful digital posters with captions provide unusual facts about tigers, polar bears, flamingoes and more.
written and illustrated by Paul Thurlby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Colorful digital posters with captions provide unusual facts about tigers, polar bears, flamingoes and more.
Penny and Her Marble
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Whose marble is it? During her walk, Penny finds it and takes it. Should she keep it? Watercolor and ink drawings.
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Whose marble is it? During her walk, Penny finds it and takes it. Should she keep it? Watercolor and ink drawings.
Pet Friend Froever
by Diana G. Gallgher
Illustrator: Adriana Isabel Juárez Puglisi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Though Emma wants a dog, because her mother has allergies, she and her friends look at other pets. Humorous illustrations. Glossary and pet care suggestions.
by Diana G. Gallgher
Illustrator: Adriana Isabel Juárez Puglisi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Though Emma wants a dog, because her mother has allergies, she and her friends look at other pets. Humorous illustrations. Glossary and pet care suggestions.
Pinch and Dash and the Terrible Couch
by Michael J. Daley
Illustrator: Thomas F. Yezerski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Oh no! Pinch gets a very unwelcome surprise. What can he do about it? Detailed pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations add to the fun.
by Michael J. Daley
Illustrator: Thomas F. Yezerski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
Oh no! Pinch gets a very unwelcome surprise. What can he do about it? Detailed pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations add to the fun.
Poems to Learn by Heart
edited by Caroline Kennedy
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A diverse collection of old and new poems that celebrate both special and everyday moments in life. Vivid watercolor illustrations throughout.
edited by Caroline Kennedy
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A diverse collection of old and new poems that celebrate both special and everyday moments in life. Vivid watercolor illustrations throughout.
Poppy the Pirate Dog
by Liz Kessler
Illustrator: Mike Phillips
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A family of four and Poppy, their fearful dalmation, seek the perfect pirate boat ride. Ink-and- watercolor illustrations.
by Liz Kessler
Illustrator: Mike Phillips
Ages: 6+
Published: 2013
A family of four and Poppy, their fearful dalmation, seek the perfect pirate boat ride. Ink-and- watercolor illustrations.