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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Walter Had a Best Friend
Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Walter and Xavier are best friends until one day Xavier finds a new pal. Will Walter find a new best friend, too? Subtle pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Walter and Xavier are best friends until one day Xavier finds a new pal. Will Walter find a new best friend, too? Subtle pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Warbler's Journey, A
Scott Weidensaul
Illustrator: Nancy Lane
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Join a tiny bird on a perilous 4,000-mile migratory trip to a nesting ground. Detailed, realistic oil illustrations. Back matter includes practical ways to protect the avian world.
Scott Weidensaul
Illustrator: Nancy Lane
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Join a tiny bird on a perilous 4,000-mile migratory trip to a nesting ground. Detailed, realistic oil illustrations. Back matter includes practical ways to protect the avian world.
We Play Soccer/ Jugamos al Fútbol (My Friend/ Mi Amigo series)
René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Nomar Perez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
English-speaking Joe and Spanish-speaking José converse with one another as they enjoy their soccer game. The bilingual text supports learning words in each language. Bold, colorful illustrations.
René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Nomar Perez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
English-speaking Joe and Spanish-speaking José converse with one another as they enjoy their soccer game. The bilingual text supports learning words in each language. Bold, colorful illustrations.
What a Shell Can Tell
Helen Scales
Illustrator: Sonia Pulido
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Observing the color, texture, and shape of sea and land shells reveals a wealth of information about them and the creatures that live inside them. Detailed illustrations. Back matter.
Helen Scales
Illustrator: Sonia Pulido
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Observing the color, texture, and shape of sea and land shells reveals a wealth of information about them and the creatures that live inside them. Detailed illustrations. Back matter.
What's That Smell? (Super Gross series)
Ximena Hastings
Illustrator: Alison Hawkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Dr. Ick and his dog, Sam, explore many gross odors from nature and our bodies. Activity provided. Cartoon style illustrations and some photographs.
Ximena Hastings
Illustrator: Alison Hawkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Dr. Ick and his dog, Sam, explore many gross odors from nature and our bodies. Activity provided. Cartoon style illustrations and some photographs.
Wheels!: All about Transport
Moira Butterfield
Illustrator: Bryony Clarkson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Cars, tractors, and myriad other vehicles serve a multitude of purposes. Colorful realistic illustrations.
Moira Butterfield
Illustrator: Bryony Clarkson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Cars, tractors, and myriad other vehicles serve a multitude of purposes. Colorful realistic illustrations.
When the Wind Came
Jan Andrews
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After a destructive tornado, a family heals together through the power of love. Pencil and paint art supports the emotion of the story.
Jan Andrews
Illustrator: Dorothy Leung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
After a destructive tornado, a family heals together through the power of love. Pencil and paint art supports the emotion of the story.
Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home
Zahra Marwan
Illustrator: Zahra Marwan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When her family must leave Kuwait after her father is declared stateless, a young girl wonders if she will ever find home again. Stylized illustrations. Back matter.
Zahra Marwan
Illustrator: Zahra Marwan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When her family must leave Kuwait after her father is declared stateless, a young girl wonders if she will ever find home again. Stylized illustrations. Back matter.
Witch Hazel
Molly Idle
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With a magical whisk of her broom, elderly Hazel shares years of happy memories with young Hilda. Effervescent fine-line white-on-beige illustrations.
Molly Idle
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
With a magical whisk of her broom, elderly Hazel shares years of happy memories with young Hilda. Effervescent fine-line white-on-beige illustrations.
With Lots of Love
Jenny Torres Sanchez
Illustrator: André Ceolin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Rocio moves to the United States, she misses her grandmother, but is thrilled by a wonderful birthday present from Abuela: a star piñata. Vibrant digital illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Jenny Torres Sanchez
Illustrator: André Ceolin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Rocio moves to the United States, she misses her grandmother, but is thrilled by a wonderful birthday present from Abuela: a star piñata. Vibrant digital illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Wolves of Yellowstone, The: A Rewilding Story
Catherine Barr
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When wolves were brought back to Yellowstone Park after an absence of 69 years, the whole balance of nature in the park changed - for the better. Detailed watercolor illustrations.
Catherine Barr
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When wolves were brought back to Yellowstone Park after an absence of 69 years, the whole balance of nature in the park changed - for the better. Detailed watercolor illustrations.
Wolves!: Strange and Wonderful (Strange and Wonderful series)
Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Learnihan Henderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
History and facts about wolves are presented in engaging text. Watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the wolves' movements. Back matter provides extensive resources.
Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Learnihan Henderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
History and facts about wolves are presented in engaging text. Watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the wolves' movements. Back matter provides extensive resources.
Wonderful Hair: The Beauty of Annie Malone
Eve Nadel Catarevas
Illustrator: Felicia Marshall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Annie Malone became the first self-made African American female millionaire by developing and distributing a line of hair and cosmetic products for black women. Richly detailed illustrations. Back matter.
Eve Nadel Catarevas
Illustrator: Felicia Marshall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Annie Malone became the first self-made African American female millionaire by developing and distributing a line of hair and cosmetic products for black women. Richly detailed illustrations. Back matter.
World Belonged to Us, The
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Joyful illustrations capture the energy of 1970s Brooklyn, where children on summer vacation create a model diverse community. Based on the author's reminiscences. Nostalgic and inspirational.
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Joyful illustrations capture the energy of 1970s Brooklyn, where children on summer vacation create a model diverse community. Based on the author's reminiscences. Nostalgic and inspirational.
Year We Learned to Fly, The
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
An African American grandmother advises her grandchildren to learn from their ancestors and use their imaginations to cope with challenges. Colorful mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
An African American grandmother advises her grandchildren to learn from their ancestors and use their imaginations to cope with challenges. Colorful mixed-media illustrations. Author's note.
Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country
Kelly Yang
Illustrator: various artists
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The accomplishments and contributions of Kamala Harris, I. M. Pei, Yo-Yo Ma, and 15 other Asian Americans from the fields of science, the arts, history, and politics are celebrated. Vibrant colorful illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Kelly Yang
Illustrator: various artists
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The accomplishments and contributions of Kamala Harris, I. M. Pei, Yo-Yo Ma, and 15 other Asian Americans from the fields of science, the arts, history, and politics are celebrated. Vibrant colorful illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home
Lindsay Moore
Illustrator: Lindsay Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Using a tracking tag, scientists follow the journey of Yoshi, a loggerhead turtle, from a South African aquarium to her home in Australia. Detailed back matter. Watercolor illustrations.
Lindsay Moore
Illustrator: Lindsay Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Using a tracking tag, scientists follow the journey of Yoshi, a loggerhead turtle, from a South African aquarium to her home in Australia. Detailed back matter. Watercolor illustrations.
Yossel's Journey
Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Johnson Yazzie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When his family, fleeing from anti-Jewish pogroms in Russia, settles near a Navajo reservation in the American Southwest, Yossel finds a friend and shares cultural differences. Evocative painterly illustrations.
Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Johnson Yazzie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When his family, fleeing from anti-Jewish pogroms in Russia, settles near a Navajo reservation in the American Southwest, Yossel finds a friend and shares cultural differences. Evocative painterly illustrations.
You Are the Loveliest
Hans Hagen and Monique Hagen
Illustrator: Marit Törnqvist
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Detailed mixed-media illustrations accompany rhyming and free verse poems written to express the words and thoughts of a little girl experiencing her world.
Hans Hagen and Monique Hagen
Illustrator: Marit Törnqvist
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Detailed mixed-media illustrations accompany rhyming and free verse poems written to express the words and thoughts of a little girl experiencing her world.
Zhang Heng and the Incredible Earthquake Detector
Randel McGee
Illustrator: Randel McGee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 132 CE, a Chinese scientist invents a device that shows the direction from which an earthquake originated. Vivid illustrations evoke traditional Chinese puppet theater.
Randel McGee
Illustrator: Randel McGee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In 132 CE, a Chinese scientist invents a device that shows the direction from which an earthquake originated. Vivid illustrations evoke traditional Chinese puppet theater.
Zoobilations!: Animal Poems and Paintings
Douglas Florian
Illustrator: Douglas Florian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Whimsical pun-filled rhymed poems with childlike watercolor illustrations describe a collection of animals.
Douglas Florian
Illustrator: Douglas Florian
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Whimsical pun-filled rhymed poems with childlike watercolor illustrations describe a collection of animals.
13 Ways to Eat a Fly
Sue Heavenrich
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Told in rhyme and countdown, a range of predators, devour insect prey using their unique anatomy and method. Bold humorous illustrations. Well-referenced.
Sue Heavenrich
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Told in rhyme and countdown, a range of predators, devour insect prey using their unique anatomy and method. Bold humorous illustrations. Well-referenced.
Alien Nation
Sandro Bassi
Illustrator: Sandro Bassi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Can anything disturb humans with oversized headgear, deeply absorbed on their mobile phones in this wordless allegory? Dramatically detailed black and white crosshatched illustrations.
Sandro Bassi
Illustrator: Sandro Bassi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
Can anything disturb humans with oversized headgear, deeply absorbed on their mobile phones in this wordless allegory? Dramatically detailed black and white crosshatched illustrations.
All Eyes On Ozzy!
K-Fai Steele
Illustrator: K-Fai Steele
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
An attention-grabbing girl learns musical chaos results unless everyone plays as a team. Dense comical watercolor artwork elevates this important message.
K-Fai Steele
Illustrator: K-Fai Steele
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
An attention-grabbing girl learns musical chaos results unless everyone plays as a team. Dense comical watercolor artwork elevates this important message.
All Kinds of Animal Families
Sophy Henn
Illustrator: Sophy Henn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A celebration of the diversity of animal families provides simple informative facts about each animal. Bold, colorful illustrations.
Sophy Henn
Illustrator: Sophy Henn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2021
A celebration of the diversity of animal families provides simple informative facts about each animal. Bold, colorful illustrations.