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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Swirl by Swirl
by Joyce Sidman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
The curling circular pattern found in natural shapes like a ram's horn, octopus tentacle or snail shell serves many purposes. Striking scratchboard illustrations.
by Joyce Sidman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
The curling circular pattern found in natural shapes like a ram's horn, octopus tentacle or snail shell serves many purposes. Striking scratchboard illustrations.
Tales for Very Picky Eaters
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Jarres is a very picky eater, but when his father suggests eating dirt or pre-chewed gum instead, the broccoli suddenly sounds delicious! Whimsical watercolors add to the laughter.
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Jarres is a very picky eater, but when his father suggests eating dirt or pre-chewed gum instead, the broccoli suddenly sounds delicious! Whimsical watercolors add to the laughter.
Tashi and the Tibetan Flower Cure
written and illustrated by Naomi C. Rose
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Tashi's Popola is ill. Can the Tibetan flower curse help? Through all efforts, a community is built. Strong acrylic paintings.
written and illustrated by Naomi C. Rose
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Tashi's Popola is ill. Can the Tibetan flower curse help? Through all efforts, a community is built. Strong acrylic paintings.
Teach Your Buffalo To Play Drums
by Audrey Vernick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A tongue-in-cheek narrator encourages a girl to cheer on her pet buffalo's inclination to drum. Deadpan illustrations complete the comical package.
by Audrey Vernick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A tongue-in-cheek narrator encourages a girl to cheer on her pet buffalo's inclination to drum. Deadpan illustrations complete the comical package.
Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want To Survive The School Bus
by John Grandits
Illustrator: Michael Allen Austin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Fearful of his first day on the school bus, Kyle tries hard to follow his brother's ten important rules. Exaggerated, humorous acrylic illustrations.
by John Grandits
Illustrator: Michael Allen Austin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Fearful of his first day on the school bus, Kyle tries hard to follow his brother's ten important rules. Exaggerated, humorous acrylic illustrations.
The Art Collector
by Jan Wahl
Illustrator: Rosalinde Bonnet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Oscar buys his first piece of art as a very young boy and continues to collect throughout his life. Cartoon-like, mixed-media illustrations.
by Jan Wahl
Illustrator: Rosalinde Bonnet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Oscar buys his first piece of art as a very young boy and continues to collect throughout his life. Cartoon-like, mixed-media illustrations.
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
by Michael Chabon
Illustrator: Jake Parker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
The illustrator and author capture the young child's love for the world of superhero adventure, as long as it is accompanied by the security of home.
by Michael Chabon
Illustrator: Jake Parker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
The illustrator and author capture the young child's love for the world of superhero adventure, as long as it is accompanied by the security of home.
The Boy from the Dragon Palace
retold by Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrator: Sachiko Yoshikawa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A “snot-nosed Boy” grants a flower seller's every wish until the lucky man's greed and laziness cost him everything. Digitally-enhanced watercolor collages.
retold by Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrator: Sachiko Yoshikawa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A “snot-nosed Boy” grants a flower seller's every wish until the lucky man's greed and laziness cost him everything. Digitally-enhanced watercolor collages.
The Bravest Woman in America
by Marissa Moss
Illustrator: Andrea URen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
In the nineteenth century, Ida Lewis follows her father in her career as a lighthouse keeper and a courageous life saver. Watercolors and acrylic illustrations evoke the period.
by Marissa Moss
Illustrator: Andrea URen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
In the nineteenth century, Ida Lewis follows her father in her career as a lighthouse keeper and a courageous life saver. Watercolors and acrylic illustrations evoke the period.
The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred
by Samantha B. Vamos
Illustrator: Rafael Lopez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Using the same structure as “The House That Jack Built,” the Farm Maiden, la campesina, makes a big pot of arroz con leche with the help of her animals. Vibrant acrylic paintings.
by Samantha B. Vamos
Illustrator: Rafael Lopez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Using the same structure as “The House That Jack Built,” the Farm Maiden, la campesina, makes a big pot of arroz con leche with the help of her animals. Vibrant acrylic paintings.
The Crown on Your Head
written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
An uplifting message about children's uniqueness and potential for greatness is brought to life with magical, nature-centered illustrations.
written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
An uplifting message about children's uniqueness and potential for greatness is brought to life with magical, nature-centered illustrations.
The Day Roy Riegers Ran the Wrong Way
by Dan Gutman
Illustrator: Kerry Talbott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
How do you handle an embarrassing mistake? A grandfather explains one way by telling the story of the 1929 Rosebowl game when a player ran the wrong way down the football field.
by Dan Gutman
Illustrator: Kerry Talbott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
How do you handle an embarrassing mistake? A grandfather explains one way by telling the story of the 1929 Rosebowl game when a player ran the wrong way down the football field.
The Flying Canoe
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Daniel San Souci
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A flying canoe will take six trappers home for Christmas--as long as they don't talk! Atmospheric mixed-media illustrations enliven this French-Canadian folktale.
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Daniel San Souci
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A flying canoe will take six trappers home for Christmas--as long as they don't talk! Atmospheric mixed-media illustrations enliven this French-Canadian folktale.
The Great Bear
by Libby Gleeson
Illustrator: Armin Greder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A circus bear, forced to perform under abusive conditions, finds a magical route to freedom.Powerful illustrations, in graphite and muted earth tones, grow in intensity as the tale reaches a wordless conclusion.
by Libby Gleeson
Illustrator: Armin Greder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
A circus bear, forced to perform under abusive conditions, finds a magical route to freedom.Powerful illustrations, in graphite and muted earth tones, grow in intensity as the tale reaches a wordless conclusion.
The Great Moon Hoax
by Stephen Krensky
Illustrator: Josée Bisaillon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
“Don't believe everything you read” is the moral of this unusual story based on an actual incident. Colorful collages.
by Stephen Krensky
Illustrator: Josée Bisaillon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
“Don't believe everything you read” is the moral of this unusual story based on an actual incident. Colorful collages.
The Honeybee Man
written by Lela Nargi
Illustrator: Kyrsten Brooker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
On a rooftop in Brooklyn, Fred cares for three hives of active bees. Informative appealing text and collage and oil paint ilustrations.
written by Lela Nargi
Illustrator: Kyrsten Brooker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
On a rooftop in Brooklyn, Fred cares for three hives of active bees. Informative appealing text and collage and oil paint ilustrations.
The Hound Dog's Haiku
by Michael J Rosen
Illustrator: Mary Azarian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Beagles, poodles, pugs, and more are portrayed in the spare language of haiku. Lively, bold woodcuts.
by Michael J Rosen
Illustrator: Mary Azarian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Beagles, poodles, pugs, and more are portrayed in the spare language of haiku. Lively, bold woodcuts.
The Land of Lost Things
written and illustrated by Dina Bursztyn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
When he looks for his missing blue pencil, a boy enters a new world with some very familiar objects. Humorous, colorful gouache, collage, and pen and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Dina Bursztyn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
When he looks for his missing blue pencil, a boy enters a new world with some very familiar objects. Humorous, colorful gouache, collage, and pen and ink illustrations.
The Littlest Mountain
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Melanie Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
God plans to speak from a mountaintop to give people laws about how to treat one another. Which mountain will be chosen? Gently colored watercolors.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Melanie Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
God plans to speak from a mountaintop to give people laws about how to treat one another. Which mountain will be chosen? Gently colored watercolors.
The Magic Brush
written by Kat Yeh
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Jasmine's grandfather teaches her Chinese calligraphy by drawing and making up stories. Bright, dramatic, cut-paper collages.
written by Kat Yeh
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Jasmine's grandfather teaches her Chinese calligraphy by drawing and making up stories. Bright, dramatic, cut-paper collages.
The Mangrove Tree
written by Susan L. Roth
Illustrator: Susan L. Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Poetry and prose about a project to plant trees on salty coasts. Extrordinary collage and photo album.
written by Susan L. Roth
Illustrator: Susan L. Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Poetry and prose about a project to plant trees on salty coasts. Extrordinary collage and photo album.
The Money We'll Save
by Brock Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Hilarity ensues when Pa, to save money before Christmas, brings a young turkey to his family's tiny nineteenth-century New York tenement. Entertaining watercolor illustrations.
by Brock Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Hilarity ensues when Pa, to save money before Christmas, brings a young turkey to his family's tiny nineteenth-century New York tenement. Entertaining watercolor illustrations.
The No 1 Car Spotter
written by Atinuke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
No. 1 “spots cars” and solves a huge problem for his small African village. Quirky black-and-white illustrations.
written by Atinuke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
No. 1 “spots cars” and solves a huge problem for his small African village. Quirky black-and-white illustrations.
The One and Only Stuey Lewis
by Jane Schoenberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Four stories travel through Stuey's second grade school year with all its ups and downs.
by Jane Schoenberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Four stories travel through Stuey's second grade school year with all its ups and downs.
The Orphan
by Anthony L. Manna
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Based in part on Greek folktale sources, this new version of a favorite fairy tale offers a lively, active heroine. Quirky watercolor illustrations.
by Anthony L. Manna
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2011
Based in part on Greek folktale sources, this new version of a favorite fairy tale offers a lively, active heroine. Quirky watercolor illustrations.