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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Goldilocks and Just One Bear
written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A bear gets lost in a noisy city and goes into Snooty Towers. Up on the seventeenth floor, he finds porridge to eat, a bed for a nap--and lots of surprises. Mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A bear gets lost in a noisy city and goes into Snooty Towers. Up on the seventeenth floor, he finds porridge to eat, a bed for a nap--and lots of surprises. Mixed-media illustrations.
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
as retold by Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Three hungry dinosaurs set a chocolate pudding trap for an impetuous little girl in this rollicking takeoff. Bold cartoonlike illustrations.
as retold by Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Three hungry dinosaurs set a chocolate pudding trap for an impetuous little girl in this rollicking takeoff. Bold cartoonlike illustrations.
Grammy Lamby and the Secret Handshake
by Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Larry the Lamb gains insights into his eccentric Grammy when a storm hits and she stays to help. Gentle acrylic illustrations convey the warmth of the family.
by Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Larry the Lamb gains insights into his eccentric Grammy when a storm hits and she stays to help. Gentle acrylic illustrations convey the warmth of the family.
Hans My Hedgehog
retold by Kate Coombs
Illustrator: John Nickle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Lonely Hans--half boy, half hedgehog--finds happiness through a magical fiddle and the love of a true-hearted princess. Vivid acrylic illustrations evoke old-fashioned fairy tales.
retold by Kate Coombs
Illustrator: John Nickle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Lonely Hans--half boy, half hedgehog--finds happiness through a magical fiddle and the love of a true-hearted princess. Vivid acrylic illustrations evoke old-fashioned fairy tales.
Happy Birthday, Tree!
by Madelyn Rosenberg
Illustrator: Jana Christy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Joni and her neighbor Nate find ways to celebrate her big tree's birthday, reminding all of the promise to the earth. Joyful, “green” illustrations.
by Madelyn Rosenberg
Illustrator: Jana Christy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Joni and her neighbor Nate find ways to celebrate her big tree's birthday, reminding all of the promise to the earth. Joyful, “green” illustrations.
Happy Like Soccer
by Marybeth Boelts
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Her auntie works on the day that Sierra's soccer games are held, but when a match is rescheduled due to rain, Sierra takes a bold step. Subdued ink and watercolor drawings.
by Marybeth Boelts
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Her auntie works on the day that Sierra's soccer games are held, but when a match is rescheduled due to rain, Sierra takes a bold step. Subdued ink and watercolor drawings.
Harlem's Little Blackbird
by Renée Watson
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Born in 1896, Florence overcame extreme prejudice and became a world-renowned singer. Colorful, bold line drawings.
by Renée Watson
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Born in 1896, Florence overcame extreme prejudice and became a world-renowned singer. Colorful, bold line drawings.
Helen's Big World
by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Helen's life emerges from blind/deaf isolation to great wisdom and renown on the world stage through the teaching and support of her teacher Annie Sullivan. Warm watercolor, gouache and pencil illustrations.
by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Helen's life emerges from blind/deaf isolation to great wisdom and renown on the world stage through the teaching and support of her teacher Annie Sullivan. Warm watercolor, gouache and pencil illustrations.
Here Come the Girl Scouts!
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Celebrating their 100th anniversary, the Girl Scouts began as the idea of the adventurous Juliet Gordon Low and grew to be an organization with millions of members nationwide. Warm mixed-media illustrations.
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Celebrating their 100th anniversary, the Girl Scouts began as the idea of the adventurous Juliet Gordon Low and grew to be an organization with millions of members nationwide. Warm mixed-media illustrations.
Heroes of the Surf
by Elisa Carbone
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Sailing on the Pliny in 1882, two young boys make friends and experience a dramatic sea rescue. Based on a true story. Textured illustrations that capture details of the era.
by Elisa Carbone
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Sailing on the Pliny in 1882, two young boys make friends and experience a dramatic sea rescue. Based on a true story. Textured illustrations that capture details of the era.
Hit the Road, Jack
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Ross MacDonald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Rhythmic text takes us along on a journey across America in the spirit of Jack Kerouac. Watercolor and pencil crayon illustrations.
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Ross MacDonald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Rhythmic text takes us along on a journey across America in the spirit of Jack Kerouac. Watercolor and pencil crayon illustrations.
Homer
written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Homer is a dog who knows what is important--his beloved family and his home. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Homer is a dog who knows what is important--his beloved family and his home. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Hooey Higgins and the Shark
by Steve Voake
Illustrator: Emma Dodson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Three boys set out to catch a shark, hoping to raise funds for a massive chocolate egg. Playful illustrations.
by Steve Voake
Illustrator: Emma Dodson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Three boys set out to catch a shark, hoping to raise funds for a massive chocolate egg. Playful illustrations.
Horsefly and Honeybee
written and illustrated by Randy Cecil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Horsefly and Honeybee fight when they first meet but soon realize that being friends is much easier. Bright oil on paper illustrations.
written and illustrated by Randy Cecil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Horsefly and Honeybee fight when they first meet but soon realize that being friends is much easier. Bright oil on paper illustrations.
House Held Up by Trees
by Ted Kooser
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Time moves on in this poetic story, as a house, once new and now abandoned, is lifted and reclaimed by nature. Delicate illustrations amplify the text.
by Ted Kooser
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Time moves on in this poetic story, as a house, once new and now abandoned, is lifted and reclaimed by nature. Delicate illustrations amplify the text.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A playful exploration of Yuletide do's and don'ts for prehistoric reptiles. Vibrant, humorous illustrations.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A playful exploration of Yuletide do's and don'ts for prehistoric reptiles. Vibrant, humorous illustrations.
How Many Jelly Beans?
by Andrea Menotti
Illustrator: Yancey Labat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Using jelly beans, a boy and a girl explore numbers. Bold illustrations with lots of counting to be done.
by Andrea Menotti
Illustrator: Yancey Labat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Using jelly beans, a boy and a girl explore numbers. Bold illustrations with lots of counting to be done.
Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble
by Tracey Corderoy
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
When a young girl tries to change her eccentric grandmother she realizes that being normal isn't for everyone. Lively illustrations in a purple palette.
by Tracey Corderoy
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
When a young girl tries to change her eccentric grandmother she realizes that being normal isn't for everyone. Lively illustrations in a purple palette.
I Have a Dream
by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The words of Martin Luther King's speech are interpreted in richly detailed oil illustrations.
by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The words of Martin Luther King's speech are interpreted in richly detailed oil illustrations.
I Like Old Clothes
by Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Donning her hand-me-downs creatively, a girl muses about the lives of the past owners. Gentle rhyme. Exuberant mixed-media illustrations.
by Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Donning her hand-me-downs creatively, a girl muses about the lives of the past owners. Gentle rhyme. Exuberant mixed-media illustrations.
I Need My Own Country!
by Rick Walton
Illustrator: Wes Hargis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A girl plagued by her younger brother explains the best way to declare independence. Sly text and humorous energetic illustrations.
by Rick Walton
Illustrator: Wes Hargis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A girl plagued by her younger brother explains the best way to declare independence. Sly text and humorous energetic illustrations.
Infinity and Me
by Kate Hosford
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Children and adults explore the concept of things that go on forever. Whimsical illustrations.
by Kate Hosford
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Children and adults explore the concept of things that go on forever. Whimsical illustrations.
In the Land of Milk and Honey
by Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A young girl and her family travel by train from Oklahoma to California in 1948. Told in rhyme and free verse. Soft, rich full-color illustrations.
by Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A young girl and her family travel by train from Oklahoma to California in 1948. Told in rhyme and free verse. Soft, rich full-color illustrations.
In the Sea
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Holly Meade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Spare verse, rich language, and strong, colorful wood-block prints capture the essence of a variety of marine animals--from the sea horse to the shark, from the urchin to the whale.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Holly Meade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Spare verse, rich language, and strong, colorful wood-block prints capture the essence of a variety of marine animals--from the sea horse to the shark, from the urchin to the whale.
I, Too, Am America
by Langston Hughes
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Expressive, mixed-media illustrations bring Langston Hughes' assertion of a hopeful future for African Americans to life. A short essay by Collier explains the Pullman porter subplot of his illustrations.
by Langston Hughes
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Expressive, mixed-media illustrations bring Langston Hughes' assertion of a hopeful future for African Americans to life. A short essay by Collier explains the Pullman porter subplot of his illustrations.