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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Snowman Magic
by Katherine Tegen
Illustrator: Brandon Dorman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Young George has a snow day due to a big storm. When his snowman is completed, his adventures become even more exciting. Illustrations capture the realism and magic of the story.
by Katherine Tegen
Illustrator: Brandon Dorman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Young George has a snow day due to a big storm. When his snowman is completed, his adventures become even more exciting. Illustrations capture the realism and magic of the story.
Sophie's Fish
by A. E. Cannon
Illustrator: Lee White
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Jake agrees to baby-sit for his classmate's fish for a weekend. Then he panics. Humorous illustrations.
by A. E. Cannon
Illustrator: Lee White
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Jake agrees to baby-sit for his classmate's fish for a weekend. Then he panics. Humorous illustrations.
So You Want To Be a Rock Star
by Audrey Vernick
Illustrator: Kirstie Edmunds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Call all aspiring young rock musicians! What does it take to hit the big time? Imagination comes alive with pencil and digital painted illustrations.
by Audrey Vernick
Illustrator: Kirstie Edmunds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Call all aspiring young rock musicians! What does it take to hit the big time? Imagination comes alive with pencil and digital painted illustrations.
Squid and Octopus
written and illustrated by Tao Nyeu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Two best friends have silly adventures together. Clever illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tao Nyeu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Two best friends have silly adventures together. Clever illustrations.
Stay
by Michaela Muntean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Ten abandoned dogs and one injured acrobat create a circus act based on love and understanding.
by Michaela Muntean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Ten abandoned dogs and one injured acrobat create a circus act based on love and understanding.
Stuck With the Blooz
by Caron Levis
Illustrator: Jon Davis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Whimsical illustrations and spare, thought-provoking text chronicle a girl's attempt to rid herself of “the blooz.” Digital painting.
by Caron Levis
Illustrator: Jon Davis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Whimsical illustrations and spare, thought-provoking text chronicle a girl's attempt to rid herself of “the blooz.” Digital painting.
Stuey Lewis Against All Odds
by Jane Schoenberg
Illustrator: Cambria Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
From outer space to the class pet show, resourceful, imaginative Stuey has lots of adventures. Black-and-white illustrations add to the fun.
by Jane Schoenberg
Illustrator: Cambria Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
From outer space to the class pet show, resourceful, imaginative Stuey has lots of adventures. Black-and-white illustrations add to the fun.
Summer Treasure
by Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mike Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
When Hannah goes to the beach, she is surprised to see her first-grade teacher lying in the sun, as if she were an ordinary person. Colorful illustrations.
by Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mike Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
When Hannah goes to the beach, she is surprised to see her first-grade teacher lying in the sun, as if she were an ordinary person. Colorful illustrations.
Susan B. Anthony
written and illustrated by Alexandra Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The famous suffragette fought tirelessly throughout her life for women's rights, especially the right to vote. Folk art-style paintings.
written and illustrated by Alexandra Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The famous suffragette fought tirelessly throughout her life for women's rights, especially the right to vote. Folk art-style paintings.
Take Two!
by J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
From womb to adulthood, a parade of 44 playful, insightful twosome poems are paired with captivating mixed-media illustrations. Information about twins included.
by J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
From womb to adulthood, a parade of 44 playful, insightful twosome poems are paired with captivating mixed-media illustrations. Information about twins included.
Tallulah's Solo
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Tallulah's little brother follows in her footsteps and takes ballet. Will she still get a starring role in the recital? Creative, humorous watercolor illustrations.
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Tallulah's little brother follows in her footsteps and takes ballet. Will she still get a starring role in the recital? Creative, humorous watercolor illustrations.
The Arrow Finds Its Mark
edited by Georgia Heard
Illustrator: Antoine Guilloppé
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
With words both found and created, well-known poets offer readers and writers a source of inspiration. Black-and-white illustrations.
edited by Georgia Heard
Illustrator: Antoine Guilloppé
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
With words both found and created, well-known poets offer readers and writers a source of inspiration. Black-and-white illustrations.
The Beetle Book
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Stunning cut-paper illustrations and captivating text capture the fascinating diversity of beetles.
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Stunning cut-paper illustrations and captivating text capture the fascinating diversity of beetles.
The Best Bike Ride Ever
by James Proimos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Join Bonnie as her imagination takes her to wonderful places during her first time on a bike. Rich acrylic paintings in a pastel palette.
by James Proimos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Join Bonnie as her imagination takes her to wonderful places during her first time on a bike. Rich acrylic paintings in a pastel palette.
The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea
by Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Willow Dawson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Follow these experiments with water and learn about ocean science. Color illustrations, drawings and photos.
by Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Willow Dawson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Follow these experiments with water and learn about ocean science. Color illustrations, drawings and photos.
The Big Something
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Illustrator: Diane Palmisciano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Discover, with Jilli and Jim, what is really on the other side of the fence. Simple text and colorful pastels.
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Illustrator: Diane Palmisciano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Discover, with Jilli and Jim, what is really on the other side of the fence. Simple text and colorful pastels.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
by William Kamkwamba
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The true story of fourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba, who taught himself to build a windmill, thereby bringing electricity to his drought-stricken Malawi village. Oil and cut-paper illustrations.
by William Kamkwamba
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The true story of fourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba, who taught himself to build a windmill, thereby bringing electricity to his drought-stricken Malawi village. Oil and cut-paper illustrations.
The Camping Trip that Changed America
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An excursion by a president and a naturalist led to the protection of the American wilderness. Vivid illustrations, author's note, and sources.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An excursion by a president and a naturalist led to the protection of the American wilderness. Vivid illustrations, author's note, and sources.
The Chandeliers
written and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Clever, humorous illustrations detail the antics of a stage family of giraffes whose youngest member, Rufus, helps the show go on.
written and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Clever, humorous illustrations detail the antics of a stage family of giraffes whose youngest member, Rufus, helps the show go on.
The Cloud Spinner
by Michael Catchpool
Illustrator: Alison Jay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A cloud-spinning lad is intimidated by a greedy king who upsets his country's ecology. Alkyd paint and crackle varnish illustrations.
by Michael Catchpool
Illustrator: Alison Jay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A cloud-spinning lad is intimidated by a greedy king who upsets his country's ecology. Alkyd paint and crackle varnish illustrations.
The Easter Bunny's Assistant
written and illustrated by Jan Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Decorating Easter eggs is always exciting--even when a skunk tries to help. Simple, bright illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jan Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Decorating Easter eggs is always exciting--even when a skunk tries to help. Simple, bright illustrations.
The Elijah Door
by Linda Leopold Strauss
Illustrator: Alexi Natchev
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Will a trivial incident threaten a lifelong friendship, mar their seder, and destroy a long-hoped-for marriage between their children? Woodcut illustrations.
by Linda Leopold Strauss
Illustrator: Alexi Natchev
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Will a trivial incident threaten a lifelong friendship, mar their seder, and destroy a long-hoped-for marriage between their children? Woodcut illustrations.
The Extraordinary Music of Mr. Ives
written and illustrated by Joanne Stanbridge
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
He wrote his music relating to the sounds all around him---but it was rarely played in public until after his death. Sensitive illustrations.
written and illustrated by Joanne Stanbridge
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
He wrote his music relating to the sounds all around him---but it was rarely played in public until after his death. Sensitive illustrations.
The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau
written by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Self-taught, Henri Rousseau died in poverty but lives on in his powerful, imaginative paintings. Watercolor and acrylic illustrations.
written by Michelle Markel
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Self-taught, Henri Rousseau died in poverty but lives on in his powerful, imaginative paintings. Watercolor and acrylic illustrations.
The Forgiveness Garden
by Lauren Thompson
Illustrator: Christy Hale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A girl refuses to get revenge after being hurt by an enemy villager and wants to make a forgiveness garden instead. Soft mixed-media illustrations.
by Lauren Thompson
Illustrator: Christy Hale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A girl refuses to get revenge after being hurt by an enemy villager and wants to make a forgiveness garden instead. Soft mixed-media illustrations.