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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Legend of Gravity, The: A Tall Basketball Tale
Charly Palmer
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
This tall tale of a neighborhood basketball team's amazing season celebrates teamwork, unsung heroes, and the joy of nicknames. Dreamlike acrylic art.
Charly Palmer
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
This tall tale of a neighborhood basketball team's amazing season celebrates teamwork, unsung heroes, and the joy of nicknames. Dreamlike acrylic art.
Life of Service, A: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth
Christina Soontornvat
Illustrator: Dow Phumiruk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Cherishing American ideals, Duckworth prevailed over poverty, the rigors of the military, and the challenge of life as a double amputee. Pencil and digital collage illustrations.
Christina Soontornvat
Illustrator: Dow Phumiruk
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Cherishing American ideals, Duckworth prevailed over poverty, the rigors of the military, and the challenge of life as a double amputee. Pencil and digital collage illustrations.
Like a Diamond in the Sky: Jane Taylor's Beloved Poem of Wonder and the Stars
Elizabeth Brown
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Struggling in the shadow of male writers, Taylor persevered, becoming one of England's most famous children's poets. Realistic artwork captures the Romantic era setting. Rich back matter.
Elizabeth Brown
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Struggling in the shadow of male writers, Taylor persevered, becoming one of England's most famous children's poets. Realistic artwork captures the Romantic era setting. Rich back matter.
Lion Lights: My Invention That Made Peace with Lions
Richard Turere with Shelly Pollock
Illustrator: Sonia Possentini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young Maasai herder/warrior who likes to experiment recalls solving the challenge of saving both his family 's cattle and the lions threatening them. Luminous illustrations. Back matter.
Richard Turere with Shelly Pollock
Illustrator: Sonia Possentini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young Maasai herder/warrior who likes to experiment recalls solving the challenge of saving both his family 's cattle and the lions threatening them. Luminous illustrations. Back matter.
Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion
Shannon Stocker
Illustrator: Devon Holzwarth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Young Evelyn played clarinet and piano with great skill, but she was losing her hearing. Could she have a career in music? Back matter. Mixed-media illustrations.
Shannon Stocker
Illustrator: Devon Holzwarth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Young Evelyn played clarinet and piano with great skill, but she was losing her hearing. Could she have a career in music? Back matter. Mixed-media illustrations.
Little Book of Joy, The
His Holiness the Dali Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Abrams and Rachel Neumann
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The two Nobel Peace Prize winners celebrate the power of shared joy. Dense vibrant acrylic art. Back matter about the Dalai Lama and Archbishop.
His Holiness the Dali Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Abrams and Rachel Neumann
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The two Nobel Peace Prize winners celebrate the power of shared joy. Dense vibrant acrylic art. Back matter about the Dalai Lama and Archbishop.
Little House of Hope, The
Terry Catasús Jennings
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Born in Cuba, Esperanza (Hope in Spanish) helps her family embrace the relatives and friends who share their small U.S. house. Soft, colored pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Terry Catasús Jennings
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Born in Cuba, Esperanza (Hope in Spanish) helps her family embrace the relatives and friends who share their small U.S. house. Soft, colored pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Lizzy and the Cloud
The Fan Brothers
Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young girl diligently cares for her pet cloud. When it grows too big, she knows she must let it go. But can she say goodbye? Digital illustrations
The Fan Brothers
Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young girl diligently cares for her pet cloud. When it grows too big, she knows she must let it go. But can she say goodbye? Digital illustrations
Lodge That Beaver Built, The
Randi Sonenshine
Illustrator: Anne Hunter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Spend several seasons with a beaver family as they dam a stream, create a pond, chisel through trees, build a lodge, and give birth to kits. Glowing illustrations. Back matter.
Randi Sonenshine
Illustrator: Anne Hunter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Spend several seasons with a beaver family as they dam a stream, create a pond, chisel through trees, build a lodge, and give birth to kits. Glowing illustrations. Back matter.
Longest Journey, The: An Arctic Tern's Migration
Amy Hevron
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nautical charts and maps with naturalistic artwork vivify the perilous 60,000-mile journey of a little seabird from the North Pole to the South Pole. Additional facts, bibliography.
Amy Hevron
Illustrator: Amy Hevron
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nautical charts and maps with naturalistic artwork vivify the perilous 60,000-mile journey of a little seabird from the North Pole to the South Pole. Additional facts, bibliography.
Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers
Lina Al-Hathloul and Uma Mishra-Newbery
Illustrator: Rebecca Green
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With her parents' support, determined Loujain overcomes her society's limitations and learns to fly as boys do. Immersive gouache illustrations. Back matter.
Lina Al-Hathloul and Uma Mishra-Newbery
Illustrator: Rebecca Green
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With her parents' support, determined Loujain overcomes her society's limitations and learns to fly as boys do. Immersive gouache illustrations. Back matter.
Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night
Julia Kuo
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Simple eloquent text introduces information about bioluminescence on land and sea. Evocative illustrations provide perfect enhancement.
Julia Kuo
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Simple eloquent text introduces information about bioluminescence on land and sea. Evocative illustrations provide perfect enhancement.
Madani's Best Game
Fran Pintadera
Illustrator: Raquel Catalina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Madani, the best player on the soccer team though he plays barefoot, has a plan to get new cleats. Illustrations portray athletic bodies in motion.
Fran Pintadera
Illustrator: Raquel Catalina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Madani, the best player on the soccer team though he plays barefoot, has a plan to get new cleats. Illustrations portray athletic bodies in motion.
Maddie and Mabel (Maddie and Mabel series)
Kari Allen
Illustrator: Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two sisters navigate their relationship and learn the power of imagination, play, and forgiveness. Digital art.
Kari Allen
Illustrator: Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two sisters navigate their relationship and learn the power of imagination, play, and forgiveness. Digital art.
Magnolia Flower
Zora Neale Hurston/adapted by Ibram X. Kendi
Illustrator: Loveis Wise
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In this poetic retelling of a love story between members of an escaped enslaved community, a father tries to stop his daughter from marrying. Lush digital illustrations.
Zora Neale Hurston/adapted by Ibram X. Kendi
Illustrator: Loveis Wise
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In this poetic retelling of a love story between members of an escaped enslaved community, a father tries to stop his daughter from marrying. Lush digital illustrations.
Making Happy
Sheetal Sheth
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Leila's family and schoolmates find a way to lift her spirits when her mother gets sick. Expressive, intricately patterned illustrations intensify a range of emotions. Author and illustrator's notes.
Sheetal Sheth
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Leila's family and schoolmates find a way to lift her spirits when her mother gets sick. Expressive, intricately patterned illustrations intensify a range of emotions. Author and illustrator's notes.
Mama's Home
Shay Youngblood
Illustrator: Lo Harris
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
While a mother is working away from home, a young Black child lives with seven different families each week, being nurtured by them all. Bold digital illustrations.
Shay Youngblood
Illustrator: Lo Harris
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
While a mother is working away from home, a young Black child lives with seven different families each week, being nurtured by them all. Bold digital illustrations.
Marcel's Masterpiece: How a Toilet Shaped the History of Art
Jeff Mack
Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Playful illustrations and humorous puns work hand in hand to explain the Dada art movement in an accessible way.
Jeff Mack
Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Playful illustrations and humorous puns work hand in hand to explain the Dada art movement in an accessible way.
Marco Polo: Brave Explorer (Book Buddies series)
Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
First sleepover jitters are overcome by interracial friendship and tiny talking toys. Expressive black-and-white digital artwork adds to the fun.
Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
First sleepover jitters are overcome by interracial friendship and tiny talking toys. Expressive black-and-white digital artwork adds to the fun.
Marvelous Mabel: Figure Skating Superstar
Crystal Hubbard
Illustrator: Alleanna Harris
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Orphaned at eight in 1923, Mabel Fairbanks taught herself to skate and became America's first Black figure skating star, Colorful evocative illustrations.
Crystal Hubbard
Illustrator: Alleanna Harris
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Orphaned at eight in 1923, Mabel Fairbanks taught herself to skate and became America's first Black figure skating star, Colorful evocative illustrations.
Maybe: A Mindfulness Tale
adapted from a traditional folktale
Illustrator: various artists
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a farmer's friends have different reactions to his various fortunes or misfortunes, he wisely withholds judgement. Vintage artwork including Japanese woodblock prints. A traditional Taoist story.
adapted from a traditional folktale
Illustrator: various artists
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a farmer's friends have different reactions to his various fortunes or misfortunes, he wisely withholds judgement. Vintage artwork including Japanese woodblock prints. A traditional Taoist story.
Me and Muhammad Ali
Jabari Asim
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Ali's eloquent language and goodness of heart combine with athletic grace and skill to inspire a young boy and his community. Acrylic and colored pencil illustrations.
Jabari Asim
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Ali's eloquent language and goodness of heart combine with athletic grace and skill to inspire a young boy and his community. Acrylic and colored pencil illustrations.
Me and The Boss: A Story About Mending and Love
Michelle Edwards
Illustrator: April Harrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lee, a younger brother with a bossy older sister, uses his hard-learned sewing skills to fix her stuffed bear and win her love. Mixed-media illustrations. Project instructions.
Michelle Edwards
Illustrator: April Harrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lee, a younger brother with a bossy older sister, uses his hard-learned sewing skills to fix her stuffed bear and win her love. Mixed-media illustrations. Project instructions.
Meanwhile Back on Earth . . . : Finding Our Place Through Time and Space
Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Snapshot-like views from the cosmos of earthly conflicts of the past are presented in reverse chronological order. Jewel-like illustrations. Solar system map. Time line.
Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Snapshot-like views from the cosmos of earthly conflicts of the past are presented in reverse chronological order. Jewel-like illustrations. Solar system map. Time line.
Michael Rosen's Sticky McStickstick: The Friend Who Helped Me Walk Again
Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With the support of medical staff and his reliable walking stick, Rosen relates how he transitioned from sickness to recovery during the COVID pandemic. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With the support of medical staff and his reliable walking stick, Rosen relates how he transitioned from sickness to recovery during the COVID pandemic. Ink and watercolor illustrations.