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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Eighteen Vats of Water
Ji-Li Jiang
Illustrator: Nadia Hsieh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Renowned fourth-century Chinese calligrapher Xian followed his father's style and work ethic from age six, but he also developed his own artistic style. Evocative ink and digital illustrations. Back matter.
Ji-Li Jiang
Illustrator: Nadia Hsieh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Renowned fourth-century Chinese calligrapher Xian followed his father's style and work ethic from age six, but he also developed his own artistic style. Evocative ink and digital illustrations. Back matter.
Every Dog in the Neighborhood
Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Louis wants a dog but his grandmother claims there are already enough dogs in the neighborhood. His survey leads to many surprises. Humorous animated illustrations.
Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Louis wants a dog but his grandmother claims there are already enough dogs in the neighborhood. His survey leads to many surprises. Humorous animated illustrations.
Eyes That Speak to the Stars
Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a Chinese American boy is hurt by a classmate's stereotypical drawing of his eyes, his father helps him see all the ways their eyes are wonderful. Joyful illustrations.
Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When a Chinese American boy is hurt by a classmate's stereotypical drawing of his eyes, his father helps him see all the ways their eyes are wonderful. Joyful illustrations.
Faith of Elijah Cummings, The: The North Star of Equal Justice
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Despite facing many childhood obstacles, Cummings joined the civil rights movement as a teen, went to law school, and became a congressman. Bold digital realistic illustrations.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Despite facing many childhood obstacles, Cummings joined the civil rights movement as a teen, went to law school, and became a congressman. Bold digital realistic illustrations.
Farmhouse
Sophie Blackall
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lyrical verse introduces a farmhouse where a loving family's 12 children grew up. Multilayered illustrations embedded with artifacts from the house that Blackall now owns.
Sophie Blackall
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Lyrical verse introduces a farmhouse where a loving family's 12 children grew up. Multilayered illustrations embedded with artifacts from the house that Blackall now owns.
Fenway and the Bone Thieves Fenway and the Frisbee Trick (Make Way for Fenway! series)
Victoria J. Coe
Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Fenway, a loveable dog with a playful, yet persistent personality, has many adventures. Accessible text with heart and humor. Black-and-white illustrations.
Victoria J. Coe
Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Fenway, a loveable dog with a playful, yet persistent personality, has many adventures. Accessible text with heart and humor. Black-and-white illustrations.
Finding Fire
Logan S. Kline
Illustrator: Logan S. Kline
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young boy in prehistoric times sets out in search of fire. Mixed-media illustrations beautifully tell a wordless story full of challenges and friendship.
Logan S. Kline
Illustrator: Logan S. Kline
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young boy in prehistoric times sets out in search of fire. Mixed-media illustrations beautifully tell a wordless story full of challenges and friendship.
Fish and Wave (I Can Read! Comics series)
Sergio Ruzzier
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Fish befriends a little wave. When it grows, Fish is scared but later happily rides along. Pastel illustrations.
Sergio Ruzzier
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Fish befriends a little wave. When it grows, Fish is scared but later happily rides along. Pastel illustrations.
Flamingo, The
Guojing
Illustrator: Guojing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young girl visiting her Chinese grandmother is mesmerized by a pink feather and the tales her Lao Lao tells, inspiring her to create her own stories. Photoshop, watercolor,and colored pencil illustrations.
Guojing
Illustrator: Guojing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A young girl visiting her Chinese grandmother is mesmerized by a pink feather and the tales her Lao Lao tells, inspiring her to create her own stories. Photoshop, watercolor,and colored pencil illustrations.
Francis Discovers Possible
Ashlee Latimer
Illustrator: Shahrzad Maydani
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When classmates call Francis fat, she is upset until her father helps her to realize the possible, positive aspects of life. Dreamy soft pastel and watercolor illustrations. Author's note.
Ashlee Latimer
Illustrator: Shahrzad Maydani
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When classmates call Francis fat, she is upset until her father helps her to realize the possible, positive aspects of life. Dreamy soft pastel and watercolor illustrations. Author's note.
Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem
Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
Illustrator: Alex Bostic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A celebration of Juneteenth, the 1865 announcement in Galveston, Texas of emancipation from slavery, is depicted through a free verse poem and poignant oil illustrations.
Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
Illustrator: Alex Bostic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A celebration of Juneteenth, the 1865 announcement in Galveston, Texas of emancipation from slavery, is depicted through a free verse poem and poignant oil illustrations.
Friends Are Friends, Forever
Dane Liu
Illustrator: Lynn Scurfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When her family moves from China to America, Dandan must leave her very best friend. Will she find a new one? Mixed-media collage illustrations.
Dane Liu
Illustrator: Lynn Scurfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When her family moves from China to America, Dandan must leave her very best friend. Will she find a new one? Mixed-media collage illustrations.
Gardener of Alcatraz, The: A True Story
Emma Bland Smith
Illustrator: Jenn Ely
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Elliot Michener, convicted counterfeiter, was assigned to work as a prison gardener, he discovered his passion and found redemption. Gouache and digital illustrations. Back matter.
Emma Bland Smith
Illustrator: Jenn Ely
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Elliot Michener, convicted counterfeiter, was assigned to work as a prison gardener, he discovered his passion and found redemption. Gouache and digital illustrations. Back matter.
Gibberish
Young Vo
Illustrator: Young Vo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
All-new country, school, and language baffle Dat until a friendly classmate teaches him a few words. Flat black-and-white illustrations burst into color as Dat's comprehension expands.
Young Vo
Illustrator: Young Vo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
All-new country, school, and language baffle Dat until a friendly classmate teaches him a few words. Flat black-and-white illustrations burst into color as Dat's comprehension expands.
Gigi and Ojiji (I Can Read! series)
Melissa Iwai
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A biracial girl, eagerly awaiting her Japanese grandfather's arrival, is initially nonplussed by cultural differences and a language barrier. How will they connect? Bright, cheery illustrations.
Melissa Iwai
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A biracial girl, eagerly awaiting her Japanese grandfather's arrival, is initially nonplussed by cultural differences and a language barrier. How will they connect? Bright, cheery illustrations.
Harriet's Ruffled Feathers: The Woman Who Saved Millions of Birds
Joy McCullough
Illustrator: Romina Galotta
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Vibrant watercolors depict the story of two 19th-century women and their successful fight to protect birds from being killed for their decorative feathers. Suggested activities and extensive back matter.
Joy McCullough
Illustrator: Romina Galotta
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Vibrant watercolors depict the story of two 19th-century women and their successful fight to protect birds from being killed for their decorative feathers. Suggested activities and extensive back matter.
Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winter
Jessica Kulekjian
Illustrator: Salini Perera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Different species have ingenious strategies to cope with the winter cold. Detailed illustrations in a muted palette. Back matter.
Jessica Kulekjian
Illustrator: Salini Perera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Different species have ingenious strategies to cope with the winter cold. Detailed illustrations in a muted palette. Back matter.
History of Me, A
Adrea Theodore
Illustrator: Erin K. Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The only brown girl in her class, racially demeaned by her peers, gains perspective and pride from her mother's stories about theirfemale ancestors. Animated color illustrations
Adrea Theodore
Illustrator: Erin K. Robinson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The only brown girl in her class, racially demeaned by her peers, gains perspective and pride from her mother's stories about theirfemale ancestors. Animated color illustrations
Hold Them Close: A Love Letter to Black Children
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrator: Patrick Dougher, with photography by Jamel Shabazz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Verse, photographs, collage, and gold-leaf illustrations celebrate Blackness, inspiring pride and joy.
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrator: Patrick Dougher, with photography by Jamel Shabazz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Verse, photographs, collage, and gold-leaf illustrations celebrate Blackness, inspiring pride and joy.
Home Is Where the Birds Sing
Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Katie Harnett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Expressive, brightly colored illustrations and simple text explore the experiences and love that make a place a home.
Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Katie Harnett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Expressive, brightly colored illustrations and simple text explore the experiences and love that make a place a home.
Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama
Loree Griffin Burns
Illustrator: Ellen Harasimowicz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Wy do bees swarm? How do they build their hives? Find out when Mr. Connery calls a bee rescuer to remove and relocate a colony from his barn. Clear photographs follow the process. Back matter.
Loree Griffin Burns
Illustrator: Ellen Harasimowicz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Wy do bees swarm? How do they build their hives? Find out when Mr. Connery calls a bee rescuer to remove and relocate a colony from his barn. Clear photographs follow the process. Back matter.
Hot Dog
Doug Salati
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A little dachshund with a big personality ventures out for a refreshing day at the beach. Expressive illustrations appear in panels and full-page spreads.
Doug Salati
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A little dachshund with a big personality ventures out for a refreshing day at the beach. Expressive illustrations appear in panels and full-page spreads.
How Old Is Mr. Tortoise?
Dev Petty
Illustrator: Ruth Chan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Animal friends insist on knowing Mr. Tortoise's age, but he's more interested in getting to the cake. Lighthearted illustrations.
Dev Petty
Illustrator: Ruth Chan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Animal friends insist on knowing Mr. Tortoise's age, but he's more interested in getting to the cake. Lighthearted illustrations.
How Science Saved the Eiffel Tower
Emma Bland Smith
Illustrator: Lisa Visirin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Gustave Eiffel saved the tower he'd created for the 1889 World's Fair from being dismantled by demonstrating its value for many scientific and technological advances. Digital art, sources. Additional back matter.
Emma Bland Smith
Illustrator: Lisa Visirin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Gustave Eiffel saved the tower he'd created for the 1889 World's Fair from being dismantled by demonstrating its value for many scientific and technological advances. Digital art, sources. Additional back matter.
How to Bake a Universe
Alec Carvlin
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Whimsical storytelling and bold illustrations, grounded in science, make this a great introduction to the Big Bang theory and astrophysics. Thorough back matter. Visually stunning time line.
Alec Carvlin
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Whimsical storytelling and bold illustrations, grounded in science, make this a great introduction to the Big Bang theory and astrophysics. Thorough back matter. Visually stunning time line.