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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Timeless Thomas
written and illustrated by Gene Barretta
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Without Edison, who gave us the telegraph, the light bulb, cement, alkaline batteries, and much more, we would be in the dark. Watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gene Barretta
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Without Edison, who gave us the telegraph, the light bulb, cement, alkaline batteries, and much more, we would be in the dark. Watercolor illustrations.
Too Tall Houses
by Gianna Marino
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Friendship quickly turns to competition between friends when Rabbit's garden blocks out Owl's view. Expressive gouache and pencil illustrations.
by Gianna Marino
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Friendship quickly turns to competition between friends when Rabbit's garden blocks out Owl's view. Expressive gouache and pencil illustrations.
Toppling
by Sally Murphy
Illustrator: Rhian Nest James
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The world of John and the other fifth graders becomes up-ended when a friend contracts cancer. Evocative pen and watercolor illustrations.
by Sally Murphy
Illustrator: Rhian Nest James
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The world of John and the other fifth graders becomes up-ended when a friend contracts cancer. Evocative pen and watercolor illustrations.
Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey
written and illustrated by Mini Grey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Traction Man is back! This time he is joined by unexpected silk-scarf-clad heroines who share the adventure. Detailed, bold illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mini Grey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Traction Man is back! This time he is joined by unexpected silk-scarf-clad heroines who share the adventure. Detailed, bold illustrations.
Trains!
by Susan E. Goodman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Photographs and straightforward text describe trains, from steam-powered to solar-powered and beyond.
by Susan E. Goodman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Photographs and straightforward text describe trains, from steam-powered to solar-powered and beyond.
UnBeelievables
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Celebrate the lives of bees in delightful rhyme. Scientific information is included for each poem. Mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Celebrate the lives of bees in delightful rhyme. Scientific information is included for each poem. Mixed-media illustrations.
Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra
written and illustrated by Stephen Costanza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Soft, flowing pastel pictures help tell this story of Vivaldi's work with the orphans of Venice, including Young Candida, who copies his music for each player and adds her own daydreams.
written and illustrated by Stephen Costanza
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Soft, flowing pastel pictures help tell this story of Vivaldi's work with the orphans of Venice, including Young Candida, who copies his music for each player and adds her own daydreams.
Waiting for Ice
by Sandra Markle
Illustrator: Alan Marks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Captivating watercolor illustrations and lyrical text chronicle an orphaned polar bear's fight for survival in the Arctic. Author's note and additional facts included.
by Sandra Markle
Illustrator: Alan Marks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Captivating watercolor illustrations and lyrical text chronicle an orphaned polar bear's fight for survival in the Arctic. Author's note and additional facts included.
Welcome to Silver Street Farm
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Can three friends turn an abandoned train station into a city farm--or will developers succeed in building a parking lot there? Expressive black-and-white illustrations.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Can three friends turn an abandoned train station into a city farm--or will developers succeed in building a parking lot there? Expressive black-and-white illustrations.
Welcome to the World, Zooborns!
by Andrew Bleiman
Illustrator: Chris Eastland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Simple text and close-up photographs introduce beginning readers to a variety of baby zoo animals.
by Andrew Bleiman
Illustrator: Chris Eastland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Simple text and close-up photographs introduce beginning readers to a variety of baby zoo animals.
We March
written and illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A mother, father, and their two children get up early to join the historic 1963 March on Washington and hear Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. give his famous speech. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
A mother, father, and their two children get up early to join the historic 1963 March on Washington and hear Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. give his famous speech. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
What Animals Really Like
written and illustrated by Fiona Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
How will the performance turn out when the singers just won't listen to the conductor? Colorful cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun.
written and illustrated by Fiona Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
How will the performance turn out when the singers just won't listen to the conductor? Colorful cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun.
What To Expect When You're Expecting Hatchlings
by Bridget Heos
Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Learn everything you need to know to be well prepared when crocodile babies arrive. Hilarious question-and-answer format, brightly colored illustrations, and references.
by Bridget Heos
Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Learn everything you need to know to be well prepared when crocodile babies arrive. Hilarious question-and-answer format, brightly colored illustrations, and references.
What to Expect When You're Expecting Joeys
by Bridget Heos
Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Colorful illustrations and conversational text provide a humorous explanation of marsupial development.
by Bridget Heos
Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Colorful illustrations and conversational text provide a humorous explanation of marsupial development.
What Will You Be, Grandma?
by Nanette Newman
Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Lily's imaginative suggestions about what occupations Grandmother might pursue when she grows up elicit playful responses. Delicately detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations.
by Nanette Newman
Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Lily's imaginative suggestions about what occupations Grandmother might pursue when she grows up elicit playful responses. Delicately detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations.
When Grandmama Sings
by Margaree King Mitchell
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An eight-year-old African American girl accompanies her grandmother on a singing tour in the segregated South. Realistic watercolors capture the feeling of the era.
by Margaree King Mitchell
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
An eight-year-old African American girl accompanies her grandmother on a singing tour in the segregated South. Realistic watercolors capture the feeling of the era.
Wolf Won't Bite!
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Three pigs capture a wild wolf for their circus. Simple, repetitive language and slyly expressive watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Three pigs capture a wild wolf for their circus. Simple, repetitive language and slyly expressive watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Words Set Me Free
by Lesa Cline Ransome
Illustrator: James Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The famous antislavery leader narrates the tale of his early life as a slave. Strong acrylic and oil illustrations.
by Lesa Cline Ransome
Illustrator: James Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The famous antislavery leader narrates the tale of his early life as a slave. Strong acrylic and oil illustrations.
Working Mummies
by Joan Horton
Illustrator: Drazen Kozjan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Puns abound in this rhyming verse about mothers in various occupations. Scary but funny neon-bright artwork.
by Joan Horton
Illustrator: Drazen Kozjan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Puns abound in this rhyming verse about mothers in various occupations. Scary but funny neon-bright artwork.
Write On, Mercy!
by Gretchen Woelfle
Illustrator: Alexandra Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The Revolutionary War-era author overcame obstacles and paved the road for future generations of women writers. Gouache illustrations. Timeline, bibliography, web sites.
by Gretchen Woelfle
Illustrator: Alexandra Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
The Revolutionary War-era author overcame obstacles and paved the road for future generations of women writers. Gouache illustrations. Timeline, bibliography, web sites.
Zero the Hero
by Jean Holub
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Underappreciated by the other numbers, Zero proves that their value is diminished without him. Funny, lively text and hilarious, colorful cartoonlike illustrations.
by Jean Holub
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 6+
Published: 2012
Underappreciated by the other numbers, Zero proves that their value is diminished without him. Funny, lively text and hilarious, colorful cartoonlike illustrations.
11 Experiments That Failed
by Jenny Offill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Question, hypothesis, method, result--how can a budding scientist go wrong. It depends on the questions asked. Mixed media illustrations.
by Jenny Offill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Question, hypothesis, method, result--how can a budding scientist go wrong. It depends on the questions asked. Mixed media illustrations.
A Bad Kitty Christmas
by Nick Bruel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
After destroying presents and decorations and running away, Bad Kitty makes a new friend who teaches her what Christmas is really about. Bright, entertaining illustrations.
by Nick Bruel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
After destroying presents and decorations and running away, Bad Kitty makes a new friend who teaches her what Christmas is really about. Bright, entertaining illustrations.
A Book for Black-Eyed Susan
by Judy Young
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Cora's mother dies in childbirth along the trail west to Oregon. Cora's aunt must care for the child that Cora names for her mother's favorite flower, and for whom she makes a cloth scrap remembrance book.
by Judy Young
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Cora's mother dies in childbirth along the trail west to Oregon. Cora's aunt must care for the child that Cora names for her mother's favorite flower, and for whom she makes a cloth scrap remembrance book.
About Hummingbirds
by Cathryn Sill
Illustrator: John Sill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Detailed watercolor illustrations support and extend the gentle text which highlights key facts about the lives of these creatures.
by Cathryn Sill
Illustrator: John Sill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Detailed watercolor illustrations support and extend the gentle text which highlights key facts about the lives of these creatures.