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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Bird Feeder, The
Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A girl places her bird feeder on a tree outside her ailing grandmother's hospice window so they can continue to bird-watch together. Digital illustrations with a calming palette.
Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A girl places her bird feeder on a tree outside her ailing grandmother's hospice window so they can continue to bird-watch together. Digital illustrations with a calming palette.
Black Gold
Laura Obuobi
Illustrator: London Ladd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lyrical text and rich atmospheric collage illustrations celebrate the Universe's love for Black children.
Laura Obuobi
Illustrator: London Ladd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lyrical text and rich atmospheric collage illustrations celebrate the Universe's love for Black children.
Bobby: A Story of Robert F. Kennedy
Deborah Wiles
Illustrator: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The family 'runt' as a youth, Kennedy evolved into an inspirational political figure of the late 1960s. Soft evocative drawings.
Deborah Wiles
Illustrator: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The family 'runt' as a youth, Kennedy evolved into an inspirational political figure of the late 1960s. Soft evocative drawings.
Bok's Giant Leap: One Moon Rock's Journey Through Time and Space
Neil Armstrong (adapted by Grahame Baker Smith)
Illustrator: Grahame Baker Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Neil Armstrong considers the history of Earth and the moon from the point of view of the rock he collected during a lunar mission. Vivid illustrations. Back matter includes archival photos.
Neil Armstrong (adapted by Grahame Baker Smith)
Illustrator: Grahame Baker Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Neil Armstrong considers the history of Earth and the moon from the point of view of the rock he collected during a lunar mission. Vivid illustrations. Back matter includes archival photos.
Boy Who Loved Maps, The
Kari Allen
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a girl requests a map of "the perfect place" from a young mapmaker, he discovers another way to look at the world. Gouache and pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Kari Allen
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a girl requests a map of "the perfect place" from a young mapmaker, he discovers another way to look at the world. Gouache and pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Brown Is Beautiful
Supriya Kelkar
Illustrator: Noor Sofi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A celebration of the color brown in its many shades, as it appears in nature and people. Warm illustrations show a range of skin tones.
Supriya Kelkar
Illustrator: Noor Sofi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A celebration of the color brown in its many shades, as it appears in nature and people. Warm illustrations show a range of skin tones.
Cat Eyes and Dog Whistles: The Five Seven Senses of Humans and Other Animals
Cathy Evans
Illustrator: Becky Thorns
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Clear descriptions and detailed illustrations demonstrate how sensory cells receive information, translate it into electrical signals, and pass it through nerves to the brain. Index and glossary.
Cathy Evans
Illustrator: Becky Thorns
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Clear descriptions and detailed illustrations demonstrate how sensory cells receive information, translate it into electrical signals, and pass it through nerves to the brain. Index and glossary.
Caves
Nell Cross Beckerman
Illustrator: Kalen Chock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Explore the Lascaux Cave, the Glowworm Grotto, and other underground chambers and discover the mysteries inside them. Two-page cinematic illustrations depict subterranean vistas.
Nell Cross Beckerman
Illustrator: Kalen Chock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Explore the Lascaux Cave, the Glowworm Grotto, and other underground chambers and discover the mysteries inside them. Two-page cinematic illustrations depict subterranean vistas.
Celia Planted a Garden: The Story of Celia Thaxter and Her Island Garden
Phyllis Root and Gary D. Schmidt
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Colorful Illustrations gloriously evoke the seacoast setting of the garden created by the 19th-century New England painter and poet. Time line and extensive sourcing.
Phyllis Root and Gary D. Schmidt
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Colorful Illustrations gloriously evoke the seacoast setting of the garden created by the 19th-century New England painter and poet. Time line and extensive sourcing.
Chocolate King, The
Michael Leventhal
Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 1630, Benjamin's Jewish family escapes to France from Spain with only their hot chocolate recipe and some chocolate beans. Detailed color illustrations,
Michael Leventhal
Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 1630, Benjamin's Jewish family escapes to France from Spain with only their hot chocolate recipe and some chocolate beans. Detailed color illustrations,
Christmas Book Flood, The
Emily Kilgore
Illustrator: Kitty Moss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The Icelandic tradition of sharing books with loved ones on Christmas Eve is depicted with fanciful illustrations that lend a touch of magic. Diverse representation. Author's Note.
Emily Kilgore
Illustrator: Kitty Moss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The Icelandic tradition of sharing books with loved ones on Christmas Eve is depicted with fanciful illustrations that lend a touch of magic. Diverse representation. Author's Note.
Climb On!
Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A dad asks, "Are we there yet?" as his energetic daughter leads the way on a tropical forest hike. Includes Creole terms. Vibrant illustrations lend authenticity to the Caribbean setting.
Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A dad asks, "Are we there yet?" as his energetic daughter leads the way on a tropical forest hike. Includes Creole terms. Vibrant illustrations lend authenticity to the Caribbean setting.
Coat, The
Séverine Vidal
Illustrator: Louis Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Elise can't wait to get a coveted hand-me-down red coat. Then she sees a mother and child who have no coats. What to do? Stylized watercolor illustrations.
Séverine Vidal
Illustrator: Louis Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Elise can't wait to get a coveted hand-me-down red coat. Then she sees a mother and child who have no coats. What to do? Stylized watercolor illustrations.
Comet, The
Joe Todd-Stanton
Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nyla mourns her old home when she and her dad move to the city. One night, a comet inspires her to find connections to both places. Richly hued illustrations.
Joe Todd-Stanton
Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Nyla mourns her old home when she and her dad move to the city. One night, a comet inspires her to find connections to both places. Richly hued illustrations.
Coquíes Still Sing, The
Karina Nicole González
Illustrator: Krystal Quiles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Category 4 Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the community rebuilt neighborhoods and restored habitats. Vibrant, mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter. Also available in Spanish.
Karina Nicole González
Illustrator: Krystal Quiles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Category 4 Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the community rebuilt neighborhoods and restored habitats. Vibrant, mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter. Also available in Spanish.
Cornbread & Poppy (Cornbread and Poppy series)
Matthew Cordell
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two very different endearing friends have an adventure as winter approaches. Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations add detail to the story.
Matthew Cordell
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two very different endearing friends have an adventure as winter approaches. Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations add detail to the story.
Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems
Betsy Franco
Illustrator: Priscilla Tey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In poetic form, concepts of geometry, arithmetic, and puzzles are playfully woven into the stanzas. Colorful, imaginative gouache illustrations.
Betsy Franco
Illustrator: Priscilla Tey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In poetic form, concepts of geometry, arithmetic, and puzzles are playfully woven into the stanzas. Colorful, imaginative gouache illustrations.
Courage Like Kate: The True Story of a Girl Lighthouse Keeper
Anne Crowley Redding
Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
From age 12 Kate assumed her aging father's treacherous job operating the lighthouse and rescuing shipwrecked sailors. Vivid impressionistic mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Anne Crowley Redding
Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
From age 12 Kate assumed her aging father's treacherous job operating the lighthouse and rescuing shipwrecked sailors. Vivid impressionistic mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Covered in Color: Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Fabrics of Freedom
Elisa Boxer
Illustrator: Susanna Chapman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Christo's childhood under communism influenced his creation of distinctive free-style art. Colorful illustrations and photos. Back matter.
Elisa Boxer
Illustrator: Susanna Chapman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Christo's childhood under communism influenced his creation of distinctive free-style art. Colorful illustrations and photos. Back matter.
Creepy Crayon!
Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Peter Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Because Jasper Rabbit would rather play than do his schoolwork, he's failing. Then a magic crayon helps him get all the right answers. Sinister grayscale and purple illustrations.
Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Peter Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Because Jasper Rabbit would rather play than do his schoolwork, he's failing. Then a magic crayon helps him get all the right answers. Sinister grayscale and purple illustrations.
Curve & Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams
Andrea J. Loney
Illustrator: Keith Mallett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The first certified Black architect west of the Mississippi persisted in his work, with talent and vision, despite racist laws and other setbacks. Digital illustrations highlight Williams's life. Back matter includes photos.
Andrea J. Loney
Illustrator: Keith Mallett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The first certified Black architect west of the Mississippi persisted in his work, with talent and vision, despite racist laws and other setbacks. Digital illustrations highlight Williams's life. Back matter includes photos.
Dadaji's Paintbrush
Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Illustrator: Ruchi Mhasane
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When his artist grandfather dies, a boy stops painting until a little girl persuades him to use his skills again. Soft mixed-media illustrations evoke a Goan village.
Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Illustrator: Ruchi Mhasane
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When his artist grandfather dies, a boy stops painting until a little girl persuades him to use his skills again. Soft mixed-media illustrations evoke a Goan village.
Dance the Hora, Isadora
Gloria Koster
Illustrator: Barbara Bongini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Her ballet classmates have all shared their favorite dances, but Isadora doesn't have one. Will she discover it at her cousin's Jewish wedding? Animated bold color illustrations capture the traditional Jewish circle dance.
Gloria Koster
Illustrator: Barbara Bongini
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Her ballet classmates have all shared their favorite dances, but Isadora doesn't have one. Will she discover it at her cousin's Jewish wedding? Animated bold color illustrations capture the traditional Jewish circle dance.
Day for Sandcastles, A
JonArno Lawson
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
At the beach, three siblings decide to build and then rebuild their sandcastle each time a wave comes in to wash it away. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
JonArno Lawson
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
At the beach, three siblings decide to build and then rebuild their sandcastle each time a wave comes in to wash it away. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean
Michelle Cusolito
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Humanity's curiosity about the ocean deep is celebrated with descriptions of ways to reach various depths and the technologies used for exploration. Digital illustrations help reveal the ocean's secrets.
Michelle Cusolito
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Humanity's curiosity about the ocean deep is celebrated with descriptions of ways to reach various depths and the technologies used for exploration. Digital illustrations help reveal the ocean's secrets.