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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Tokyo Night Parade
J. P. Takahashi
Illustrator: Minako Tomigahara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A child living in New York returns to Tokyo for the annual parade of mythical Japanese creatures, knowing this may be the last time she can attend it. Dreamlike mixed-media illustrations.
J. P. Takahashi
Illustrator: Minako Tomigahara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A child living in New York returns to Tokyo for the annual parade of mythical Japanese creatures, knowing this may be the last time she can attend it. Dreamlike mixed-media illustrations.
Tomfoolery: Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children's Books
Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
In the 1870s an irrepressible Englishman's dynamic illustrations revolutionized the once-staid field of children's publishing. Exuberant pen and watercolor tableaux. Back matter includes time line and sources.
Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
In the 1870s an irrepressible Englishman's dynamic illustrations revolutionized the once-staid field of children's publishing. Exuberant pen and watercolor tableaux. Back matter includes time line and sources.
To See Clearly: A Portrait of David Hockney
Evan Turk
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Mixed-media art in Hockney's style accompanies the life story of this world-famous English artist, encouraging readers to look closely at the world. Back matter and sourcing.
Evan Turk
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Mixed-media art in Hockney's style accompanies the life story of this world-famous English artist, encouraging readers to look closely at the world. Back matter and sourcing.
Tree and the River, The
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
The effects of human settlement and industrialization through time are reimagined in the presence of an aging tree. Wordless. Pencil, gouache, and digital illustrations.
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
The effects of human settlement and industrialization through time are reimagined in the presence of an aging tree. Wordless. Pencil, gouache, and digital illustrations.
Twice As Many Friends/¡El doble de amigos! (Barefoot Singalongs series)
Brian Amador
Illustrator: Vanina Starkoff
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Being able to speak two languages means being able to make twice as many amigos! Colorful, expressive acrylic illustrations. Back matter includes the song.
Brian Amador
Illustrator: Vanina Starkoff
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Being able to speak two languages means being able to make twice as many amigos! Colorful, expressive acrylic illustrations. Back matter includes the song.
Two New Years
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Lynn Scurfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A multicultural family celebrates both the Jewish new year and the Asian Lunar new year. Colorful ink and digitally collaged illustrations illuminate the customs. Rich back matter.
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Lynn Scurfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A multicultural family celebrates both the Jewish new year and the Asian Lunar new year. Colorful ink and digitally collaged illustrations illuminate the customs. Rich back matter.
¡Vamos! Let's Go Read (World of ¡Vamos! series)
Raúl the Third
Illustrator: Raúl the Third, colors by Elaine Bay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Celebrate libraries and books with Little Lobo and his friends at a Libro Love book festival. Enthusiastic, colorful graphic-format-style illustrations. Spanish glossary. Author's note.
Raúl the Third
Illustrator: Raúl the Third, colors by Elaine Bay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Celebrate libraries and books with Little Lobo and his friends at a Libro Love book festival. Enthusiastic, colorful graphic-format-style illustrations. Spanish glossary. Author's note.
Veo, Veo, I See You
Lulu Delacre
Illustrator: Lulu Delacre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Mami, who lost her job during COVID, plays I Spy with her children, spotting essential workers in their diverse community. Dialogue alternates between Spanish and English. Vibrant collage illustrations.
Lulu Delacre
Illustrator: Lulu Delacre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Mami, who lost her job during COVID, plays I Spy with her children, spotting essential workers in their diverse community. Dialogue alternates between Spanish and English. Vibrant collage illustrations.
Virginia Wouldn't Slow Down: The Unstoppable Dr. Apgar and Her Life-Saving Invention
Carrie A. Pearson
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Persevering despite numerous obstacles, Apgar became an anesthesiologist when the field was new and used her experience to develop the diagnostic test that has an impact on newborns' lives to this day. Warm, humorous illustrations.
Carrie A. Pearson
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Persevering despite numerous obstacles, Apgar became an anesthesiologist when the field was new and used her experience to develop the diagnostic test that has an impact on newborns' lives to this day. Warm, humorous illustrations.
Walk, The (A Stroll to the Poll)
Winsome Bingham
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A Black grandmother takes her granddaughter on an important walk to corral a community to come out together to vote. Detailed, watercolor illustrations.
Winsome Bingham
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A Black grandmother takes her granddaughter on an important walk to corral a community to come out together to vote. Detailed, watercolor illustrations.
Way to the Stars, A
David Almond
Illustrator: Gill Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A father encourages his son's dream to find a way to defeat gravity. After several failed attempts, they discover a great way to soar among the stars. Mixed-media illustrations.
David Almond
Illustrator: Gill Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A father encourages his son's dream to find a way to defeat gravity. After several failed attempts, they discover a great way to soar among the stars. Mixed-media illustrations.
We Are Here
Tami Charles
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A celebration of Black creativity delivers its message through powerful free verse and arresting watercolor/collage illustrations. Includes a list of historic figures, glossary, and author's and illustrator's notes.
Tami Charles
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A celebration of Black creativity delivers its message through powerful free verse and arresting watercolor/collage illustrations. Includes a list of historic figures, glossary, and author's and illustrator's notes.
We Are Lions!
Jens Mattsson
Illustrator: Jenny Lucander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Two biracial siblings play at being lions, until one falls ill. Even while dealing with hospitalization and hair loss, they continue to have wild adventures. Unusual mixed-media illustrations show the savanna and everyday life.
Jens Mattsson
Illustrator: Jenny Lucander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Two biracial siblings play at being lions, until one falls ill. Even while dealing with hospitalization and hair loss, they continue to have wild adventures. Unusual mixed-media illustrations show the savanna and everyday life.
We Go Way Back
Idan Ben-Barak
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Simple text and bold, humorous cartoon-like illustrations reveal how life began. Dramatic vertical gatefold depicts a family tree of Earth's fauna.
Idan Ben-Barak
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Simple text and bold, humorous cartoon-like illustrations reveal how life began. Dramatic vertical gatefold depicts a family tree of Earth's fauna.
Wei Skates On
Nathan Chen
Illustrator: Lorraine Nam
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Wei loves figure skating, but competitions scare him. His wise mom gives him some good advice, but will it help? Mixed-media illustrations.
Nathan Chen
Illustrator: Lorraine Nam
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Wei loves figure skating, but competitions scare him. His wise mom gives him some good advice, but will it help? Mixed-media illustrations.
We, the Curious Ones
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Hari and Deepti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Poetic text and shimmering paper-cut art illuminate the connection between our long-held beliefs and our ever-changing knowledge of the universe. Important contributions in back matter.
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Hari and Deepti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Poetic text and shimmering paper-cut art illuminate the connection between our long-held beliefs and our ever-changing knowledge of the universe. Important contributions in back matter.
Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem
Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Rob Dunlavey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A 50-year food chain is detailed as a whale's body descends to the ocean floor. Watercolor, mixed-media, and digital artwork illustrate the process. Back matter.
Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Rob Dunlavey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A 50-year food chain is detailed as a whale's body descends to the ocean floor. Watercolor, mixed-media, and digital artwork illustrate the process. Back matter.
What Rosa Brought
Jacob Sager Weinstein
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
What will Rosa take with her when her family has to leave their home? A true story of one child's experience of the Holocaust. Immersive mixed-media art.
Jacob Sager Weinstein
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
What will Rosa take with her when her family has to leave their home? A true story of one child's experience of the Holocaust. Immersive mixed-media art.
When Moon Became the Moon
Rob Hodgson
Illustrator: Rob Hodgson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
The moon narrates the story of its origin, its orbit, and its effect on the earth. Colorful whimsical art.
Rob Hodgson
Illustrator: Rob Hodgson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
The moon narrates the story of its origin, its orbit, and its effect on the earth. Colorful whimsical art.
When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left
Marc Colagiovanni
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A brown-skinned boy narrates a day full of worries and doubts. His fears become manageable, and he changes course. Cheerful cartoon-style illustrations.
Marc Colagiovanni
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
A brown-skinned boy narrates a day full of worries and doubts. His fears become manageable, and he changes course. Cheerful cartoon-style illustrations.
Where I Live: Poems about My Home, My Street, and My Town
Selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
This posthumous collection includes the work of 34 established poets, capturing the meaning of home and neighborhoods. Colored pencil and watercolor illustrations accompany each poem.
Selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
This posthumous collection includes the work of 34 established poets, capturing the meaning of home and neighborhoods. Colored pencil and watercolor illustrations accompany each poem.
Where's Joon?
Julie Kim
Illustrator: Julie Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Jin and Joon embark on a mystical adventure through the world of Korean folktales to find their grandmother's pot, encountering magic, friendship, and hilarious twists. Vibrant detailed color panels.
Julie Kim
Illustrator: Julie Kim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Jin and Joon embark on a mystical adventure through the world of Korean folktales to find their grandmother's pot, encountering magic, friendship, and hilarious twists. Vibrant detailed color panels.
Why Did the Monster Cross the Road?
R. L. Stine
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Larger Funny tries to make smaller Hunny laugh and cheer up by telling Monster jokes. Bold artwork.
R. L. Stine
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Larger Funny tries to make smaller Hunny laugh and cheer up by telling Monster jokes. Bold artwork.
Willow and Bunny
Anitra Rowe Schulte
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Willow has always provided Bunny with a safe home. When a tornado damages Willow's beautiful branches, Bunny knows it is time to help her friend. Atmospheric digital illustrations.
Anitra Rowe Schulte
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
Willow has always provided Bunny with a safe home. When a tornado damages Willow's beautiful branches, Bunny knows it is time to help her friend. Atmospheric digital illustrations.
Wind: Discovering Air in Motion (Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers series)
Olga Fadeeva
Illustrator: Olga Fadeeva
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
What is wind? Where does it come from, how does it affect plants and animals, and how do we use it? Sweeping, bold illustrations. Author's notes.
Olga Fadeeva
Illustrator: Olga Fadeeva
Ages: 6+
Published: 2023
What is wind? Where does it come from, how does it affect plants and animals, and how do we use it? Sweeping, bold illustrations. Author's notes.