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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
The Giant Seed
written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Detailed colored pen and ink drawings tell the tale of a volcano that erupts after pigs plant a giant seed. A wordless story.
written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Detailed colored pen and ink drawings tell the tale of a volcano that erupts after pigs plant a giant seed. A wordless story.
The Hero of Little Street
written and illustrated by Gregory Rogers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An irrepressible little boy tries to hide in London's National Gallery, slipping into a Vermeer painting. Will he escape a fearsome gang? A wordless book with inventive graphic art.
written and illustrated by Gregory Rogers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An irrepressible little boy tries to hide in London's National Gallery, slipping into a Vermeer painting. Will he escape a fearsome gang? A wordless book with inventive graphic art.
The House That George Built
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Rebecca Bond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
George Washington's projects included the planning and building of a special house fit for the Presidents of the United States. Lighthearted watercolors. Author's note and sources.
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Rebecca Bond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
George Washington's projects included the planning and building of a special house fit for the Presidents of the United States. Lighthearted watercolors. Author's note and sources.
The Hueys in The New Sweater
written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The Hueys all look the same, think the same, and act the same--until one day Rupert does something different. Humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The Hueys all look the same, think the same, and act the same--until one day Rupert does something different. Humorous illustrations.
The Land of Neverbelieve
by Norman Messenger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Take a guided tour of a wondrous, magical island inhabited by strange trees, creatures, houses, and people. Lush vibrant illustrations.
by Norman Messenger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Take a guided tour of a wondrous, magical island inhabited by strange trees, creatures, houses, and people. Lush vibrant illustrations.
The Leprechaun Under the Bed
by Terese Bateman
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An enterprising leprechaun, Brian O'Shea, makes friends with the interloper who builds a cottage over his home. Humorous acrylic and watercolor illustrations.
by Terese Bateman
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An enterprising leprechaun, Brian O'Shea, makes friends with the interloper who builds a cottage over his home. Humorous acrylic and watercolor illustrations.
The No-Dogs-Allowed Rule
by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrator: Carl Pearce
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Ishan and his brother Sunil want a puppy, but their efforts to convince their mother result in one mess after another. Includes a few words of Hindi and a taste of Indian foods. Illustrated with pencil drawings.
by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrator: Carl Pearce
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Ishan and his brother Sunil want a puppy, but their efforts to convince their mother result in one mess after another. Includes a few words of Hindi and a taste of Indian foods. Illustrated with pencil drawings.
The Obstinate Pen
written and illustrated by Frank W. Dormer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
What happens when a pen has a mind of its own? Humorous watercolors depict its journey to its rightful owner.
written and illustrated by Frank W. Dormer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
What happens when a pen has a mind of its own? Humorous watercolors depict its journey to its rightful owner.
The Other Side of Town
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A taxi driver in New York City picks up an unusual fare, which leads to a strange adventure. Word play and puns abound. Cartoon-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A taxi driver in New York City picks up an unusual fare, which leads to a strange adventure. Word play and puns abound. Cartoon-like illustrations.
There Goes Ted Williams
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The life of the legendary Red Sox slugger is depicted with watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The life of the legendary Red Sox slugger is depicted with watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
There's a Fly Guy In My Soup
written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
What happens when a boy's hungry pet fly must fend for himself while the family eats at a fancy restaurant? Droll cartoon illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
What happens when a boy's hungry pet fly must fend for himself while the family eats at a fancy restaurant? Droll cartoon illustrations.
The Scariest Thing of All
written and illustrated by Debi Gliori
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Pip, the smallest rabbit, has a long, long list of scary things. When he has to confront a big fear, he learns a bigger lesson. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Debi Gliori
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Pip, the smallest rabbit, has a long, long list of scary things. When he has to confront a big fear, he learns a bigger lesson. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
The Secret Chicken Society
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Amanda Haley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
When Daniel's family takes on the five “hens” his third grade class raised, they all learn a lot about the trouble involved in caring for chickens. Amusing black-and-white illustrations.
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Amanda Haley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
When Daniel's family takes on the five “hens” his third grade class raised, they all learn a lot about the trouble involved in caring for chickens. Amusing black-and-white illustrations.
The Secret of the Village Fool
by Rebecca Upjohn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The children of a Polish Jewish family who survived World War II tell the story of how they were saved--and who saved them. Historical photos and warm illustrations.
by Rebecca Upjohn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The children of a Polish Jewish family who survived World War II tell the story of how they were saved--and who saved them. Historical photos and warm illustrations.
The Sneaky Snow Fox
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Illustrator: Diane Palmisciano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An imaginative girl, her dog, and a scary story propel her and friend Jim into the snow. Engaging oil pastel illustrations.
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Illustrator: Diane Palmisciano
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An imaginative girl, her dog, and a scary story propel her and friend Jim into the snow. Engaging oil pastel illustrations.
The Tooth Mouse
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: Janice Nadeau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Is Sophie brave, honest, and wise enough to become the new Tooth Mouse, who brings French children money for their baby teeth? Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: Janice Nadeau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Is Sophie brave, honest, and wise enough to become the new Tooth Mouse, who brings French children money for their baby teeth? Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
The Unruly Queen
written and illustrated by E. S. Redmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The fifty-third Nanny in fifty-three weeks works magic with the mischievous Minerva. Witty verse and watercolors.
written and illustrated by E. S. Redmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The fifty-third Nanny in fifty-three weeks works magic with the mischievous Minerva. Witty verse and watercolors.
The Velveteen Rabbit
retold and illustrated by Komako Sakai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Being loved makes the Velveteen Rabbit real, warm, and beautiful. The illustrations bring to life the retelling of this classic book.
retold and illustrated by Komako Sakai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Being loved makes the Velveteen Rabbit real, warm, and beautiful. The illustrations bring to life the retelling of this classic book.
The Wing Wing Brothers Math Spectacular!
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Five duck brothers perform acrobatic feats and include explanations for comparative math, addition and subtraction. Clever and appealing. Lively, humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Five duck brothers perform acrobatic feats and include explanations for comparative math, addition and subtraction. Clever and appealing. Lively, humorous illustrations.
The Wooden Sword
by Ann Redisch Stampler
Illustrator: Carol Liddiment
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Can an Afghani shah shake the faith of a poor Jewish shoemaker who meets all his challenges with optimism? Expressive, richly colored illustrations.
by Ann Redisch Stampler
Illustrator: Carol Liddiment
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Can an Afghani shah shake the faith of a poor Jewish shoemaker who meets all his challenges with optimism? Expressive, richly colored illustrations.
The World's Greatest Lion
by Ralph Helfer
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A lion born in Zambia is rescued after the death of his parents and is brought to a California Reserve where he acts in many movies. Dramatic illustrations.
by Ralph Helfer
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A lion born in Zambia is rescued after the death of his parents and is brought to a California Reserve where he acts in many movies. Dramatic illustrations.
The Year Comes Round
by Sid Farrar
Illustrator: Ilse Plume
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Delightful, warmly humorous haiku are enhanced by crisply clear watercolor illustrations.
by Sid Farrar
Illustrator: Ilse Plume
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Delightful, warmly humorous haiku are enhanced by crisply clear watercolor illustrations.
The Year of the Book
by Andrea Cheng
Illustrator: Abigail Halpin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Books and crafts help Chinese-American Anna navigate the challenge of family, friends, and fourth grade. Pen and ink illustrations. (An error in the Chinese on page 43, noted by a committee member, will be corrected by the publisher in the next printing.)
by Andrea Cheng
Illustrator: Abigail Halpin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Books and crafts help Chinese-American Anna navigate the challenge of family, friends, and fourth grade. Pen and ink illustrations. (An error in the Chinese on page 43, noted by a committee member, will be corrected by the publisher in the next printing.)
Third Grade Angels
by Jerry Spinelli
Illustrator: Jennifer A. Bell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
George's (AKA Suds) third-grade class is called “Angels.” Suds explores not just what it means to be good but also the reasons. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Jerry Spinelli
Illustrator: Jennifer A. Bell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
George's (AKA Suds) third-grade class is called “Angels.” Suds explores not just what it means to be good but also the reasons. Black-and-white illustrations.
Those Rebels, John & Tom
by Barbara Kerley
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A lively and humorous account of how Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson struggled for independence for America. Cartoonlike, expressive illustrations.
by Barbara Kerley
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A lively and humorous account of how Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson struggled for independence for America. Cartoonlike, expressive illustrations.