Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year 2026

A large annual list organized by age group and subject.

The Best Children's Books of the Year [2026 edition]See the original list

Selections619

Published byBank Street College of Education

Sections5 sections

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Under Five

43 of 103 selections on this pageContinued from page 1

Cover of Hank Meets Frank

Hank Meets FrankMaudie Powell-TuckA sometimes pesky goose is admonished to be on his best behavior when his supposedly well-behaved cousin visits. Which of them is disrupting the family reunion? Subversively funny illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of The Monster in the Lake

The Monster in the LakeLeo Timmers, Bill NagelkerkeEric the duck spots a frightening creature swimming beneath the water—but it only surfaces while his friends are looking away. Wacky acrylic and spray paint illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

Oh Dear, Look What I Got!Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen OxenburyA boy on a shopping trip, to his mounting frustration, is given items that rhyme with what he actually wants to buy. Irresistible, rollicking rhythm. Charming, spare illustrations.Under FiveATOS 1.1AR interest Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details

Cover of Out and About

Out and AboutDaniel CarlstenSpare text and crisp, graphic arts-style illustrations cheekily invite the reader to imagine where cats wander and what they get up to when they do.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme

Pop! Goes the Nursery RhymeBetsy Bird, illustrated by Andrea TsurumiA secretary bird’s attempts at recitation are repeatedly interrupted by an exuberant and impulsive weasel. Hilarious, action-packed illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Stop That Mop! (Ready-to-Read series)

Stop That Mop! (Ready-to-Read series)Jonathan Fenske, illustrated by Jonathan FenskeA mop, fed up with cleaning up others’ “slop” and “glop,” runs away, with multiple characters in hot pursuit. Delightful rhymed text with humorous cartoon-style illustrations.Under FiveATOS 0.9AR interest Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details

Cover of Vampire Jam Sandwich

Vampire Jam SandwichCasey LyallThis spooky story of a monster sandwich seems like a dire warning… but readers will notice the mischievous narrator is up to something tricky. Endearingly macabre graphite and digital art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of The Witch’s Table

The Witch’s TableMelinda BeattyA clever dark-skinned witch finds a way to live in harmony with an unruly sentient table that had flummoxed her witch ancestors. Humorous comic- style art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of And, Too, the Fox

And, Too, the FoxAda Limón, illustrated by Gaby D'AlessandroLyrical language and bright, swirling digital art explore the way an energetic fox moves about, feeds, and rests.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Gather Grateful

Gather GratefulMegan Litwin, illustrated by Alexandra FinkeldeyA depiction of all the ways animals and people prepare for winter, told in a graceful cadence. Luminous autumnal-toned art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Anything

AnythingRebecca Stead, illustrated by Gracey ZhangA caring father grants three wishes to his daughter, who misses their old home after a move. Playful, expressive art in gouache and ballpoint pen.Under FiveATOS 2.3AR interest LG K-3View book details

Cover of Bear

BearNatalia ShaloshviliBear bites back mounting frustration while reluctantly agreeing to share space and precious possessions with Fox, Wolf, Rabbit, and Elephant. Loose acrylic paint and watercolor crayon art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Bear in the Air

Bear in the AirAllison WortcheThough at first proud to be in a hot air balloon, Bear finally admits he can’t get down. Who will help? Bright watercolor, colored pencil, and digital art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of The Boy, the Troll & the Chalk

The Boy, the Troll & the ChalkAnne BoothEveryone avoids the troll cave at the park… except a boy who’s willing to look deeper and offer the hand of friendship. Poignant, sparkling digital art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Broken

BrokenX. Fang, illustrated by X. FangA girl accidentally breaks her grandmother’s cup and is racked with guilt when the cat takes the blame. Uproarious, wildly dynamic graphite and digital art.Under FiveLexile AD460LATOS 2.0View book details

Cover of Changing Tides

Changing TidesJúlia MoscardóOn a vacation with her blended family, a girl bonds with her new stepbrother as they build a sandcastle at the water’s edge. Pale, soft-textured paintings.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Colette: The Solitary Bee

Colette: The Solitary BeeJean-François SénéchalColette doesn’t need anyone else. She can do a lot by herself—except when nothing goes as planned. Cheerful, colorful illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Found You!

Found You!Jane GodwinSoft, tender illustrations depict a boy’s worry when the other children take too long to locate him during hide- and-seek—and his relief at finally being found.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Frog and Toad: Two Together (Classic Animal Friendship and Adventure Series)

Frog and Toad: Two Together (Classic Animal Friendship and Adventure Series)Arnold LobelA pair of amphibian friends enjoy memorable moments in this board book reworking of a classic series. Graphite, ink, and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveLexile 330LATOS 2.9View book details

Cover of George & Lenny Are Always Together

George & Lenny Are Always TogetherJon Agee, illustrated by Jon AgeeLenny, tiring of constant contact with his best friend, George, experiments with playing alone and comes to better appreciate both experiences. Striking, boldly outlined gouache drawings.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Hope in a Jar

Hope in a JarDeborah MarceroThree rabbits store their wishes for the future in jars. After a devastating storm, they must find a way to rebuild their dreams. Whimsical mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of I Hate Everything! (Everything series)

I Hate Everything! (Everything series)Sophy Henn, illustrated by Sophy HennOne cheery ghost tries to get a cranky ghostly friend to admit that they don’t hate everything. A joyful romp. Simple spare, expressive illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of I Love You, Little Horse

I Love You, Little HorseGianna MarinoA horse looks tenderly down on its young foal with affirmations of joy and affection. Endearing gouache and ink illustrations on watercolor paper.Under FiveView book details

Cover of If We Were Dogs

If We Were DogsSophie Blackall, illustrated by Sophie BlackallTwo friends imagine life as animals. One is delighted by the idea of being a dog, but the other isn’t so sure about it. Digital art over scanned vintage papers.Under FiveATOS 1.6AR interest Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details

Cover of Let’s Be Bees

Let’s Be BeesShawn Harris, illustrated by Shawn HarrisA father and daughter transform into animals, plants, weather, and even each other in this exuberant celebration of parent-and-child imaginative play. Loose, wiggly crayon drawings.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Millie Fleur Saves the Night (Millie Fleur series)

Millie Fleur Saves the Night (Millie Fleur series)Christy MandinA free-spirited girl encourages her anxious neighbors to turn off their lanterns and appreciate the wonders of the dark. Whimsical digital art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of More or Less

More or LessAlison HughesA boy’s efforts to reduce the amount of stuff in his house inspire community action. Gentle illustrations in variegated cut-paper collage.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Night Light (I Like to Read Comics series)

Night Light (I Like to Read Comics series)Michael Emberley, illustrated by Michael EmberleyTwo creatures, a parent and child, find a creative, magical solution to a bedtime blackout. Playful graphic format with pencil lines and digital colors.Under FiveATOS 1.0AR interest Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details

Cover of Nunu and the Sea

Nunu and the SeaIsabella KungA girl’s imagined journey out to sea on a giant origami boat helps her work through overwhelming anger and sadness. Touching mixed-media art gradually moves from grayscale to color.Under FiveView book details

Cover of On All Fours

On All FoursGaëtan Dorémus, translated from French by Emilie Robert WongA little bear ventures out into the world; after a variety of sensory experiences, he wanders too far, then returns for a great big hug. Scratchy, exuberant illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Our Pebbles

Our PebblesJarvis, illustrated by JarvisA boy makes beautiful memories with his beloved grandfather at Pebble Beach. What will he do when Grandad has to move away? Soft, childlike illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of The Rainbow Sheep

The Rainbow SheepDavid HaywardA rainbow-colored sheep joins a flock and helps Ricky be her authentic self. Gradually the rest of the flock learns to embrace differences. Fiber art illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Shibu’s Tail

Shibu’s TailTess Thomas, illustrated by Kamwei FongA fuzzy cat with an expressive tail tries to hold in his feelings to avoid standing out. Will it work? Playful illustrations in stark black ink. Also available in Spanish.Under FiveWord count 351View book details

Cover of Shy Me (Emotions and Me series)

Shy Me (Emotions and Me series)Sandra V. FederA boy experiences different forms of shyness in a variety of situations and finds positive solutions. Gentle collage art with acrylic and pencil crayon.Under FiveView book details

Cover of There There Little Bear (Usborne Touchy-Feely Books series)

There There Little Bear (Usborne Touchy-Feely Books series)Anna MilbourneChildren are invited to make little bear feel better after he suffers a variety of mishaps. Sweet illustrations with textured cutouts to pat and rub.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Thunderland

ThunderlandMaggie Edkins Willis, illustrated by Maggie Edkins WillisA girl’s father provides a helpful framework for braving a fearsome storm. Evocative Photoshopped paintings.Under FiveLexile AD500LATOS 3.3View book details

Cover of To the End of the World, Far, Far Away

To the End of the World, Far, Far AwayRonda ArmitageWhen his mother gets annoyed after he spills some milk, a little bear wants to run away, but she reassures him of the depth of her love. Pale colored pencil illustrations heighten the imaginative fantasy.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Toto

TotoHyewon Yum, illustrated by Hyewon YumA girl uses her haircut to cover the birthmark on her forehead. What will a new friend do when she sees it? Cheerful pencil and watercolor illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Two Worlds/Dos mundos

Two Worlds/Dos mundosEdel RodriguezEquivalent words in Spanish and English, paired with bold-colored ink and digital art, reveal similarities and differences between a boy’s life before and after moving to a new country.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Under Anna’s Umbrella

Under Anna’s UmbrellaAmanda DriscollGrieving the loss of her father, a girl hides under a large umbrella wherever she goes. What will convince her to show her face again? Pale, poignant digital art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Willow and the Wildflowers

Willow and the WildflowersMatthew SchufmanWith the help of some new companions, an agoraphobic bear faces her fears and journeys downstream to a special seaside meadow. Sunny paint, paper, and digital art.Under FiveView book details

Cover of You Are Not Alone

You Are Not AloneIngrid Law, illustrated by Xin LiA soothing ode to remind children at bedtime that they have company in the sleepy world around them. Gentle mixed-media illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Cover of Zilbo’s Forest: What’s Up with That? (I Can Read! Comics series)

Zilbo’s Forest: What’s Up with That? (I Can Read! Comics series)Summer BentonAnimals worry when others appear to be rejecting them. A surprise ending brings friends together and explains the string of confusing behavior. Bright, bold illustrations.Under FiveView book details

Five to Nine

17 of 216 selections on this pageContinues on page 3

Cover of Cool Buds to the Rescue! (Cool Buds series)

Cool Buds to the Rescue! (Cool Buds series)Barbara LehmanThree animal friends use their talents to rescue and settle an animal stranded by a volcano on their island. Full-color cartoon-style illustrations.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Hide & Seek with Clyde & Monique: Clyde in Plain Sight

Hide & Seek with Clyde & Monique: Clyde in Plain SightGraham AnnableIn this brightly illustrated cartoon-style early reader, Monique eagerly searches for her best friend, Clyde, a self-proclaimed hiding expert. Tips for navigating graphic storytelling provided.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Piece Out

Piece OutAlex WillanA board game piece, left out of the box and then sucked up by a vacuum cleaner, braves many hazards to be reunited with its mates. Colorful, dynamic, humorous illustrations.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Alpacas Here, Alpacas There

Alpacas Here, Alpacas ThereCarrie TillotsonAn engaging look at the characteristics and behavior of alpacas. Bouncy rhymed text supported by informational paragraphs. Bright acrylic gouache art.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Cat Nap

Cat NapBrian Lies, illustrated by Brian LiesA cat’s nap is disturbed by a mouse jumping into an art poster. The cat follows, chasing through thousands of years of artworks. Photographed cleverly reproduced 3-D art. Back matter.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Elvis & Romeo (Elvis & Romeo series)

Elvis & Romeo (Elvis & Romeo series)David Soman, Jacky DavisDynamic illustrations highlight the making of an incredible friendship between two dogs, demonstrating that you don’t have to like all the same things to bond together.Five to NineView book details

Cover of The Littlest Drop

The Littlest DropSascha Alper, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, Brian PinkneyWhen a fire breaks out in the forest, a hummingbird inspires all the animals to do their part to put it out. Animated illustrations. Author’s and illustrators’ notes.Five to NineLexile AD660LView book details

Cover of Odder: An Otter’s Story

Odder: An Otter’s StoryKatherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles SantosoA young otter rescued by humans finds that she is able to help other otter pups separated from their families. Lyrically written. Picturesque illustrations.Five to NineView book details

Cover of To See an Owl

To See an OwlMatthew Cordell, illustrated by Matthew CordellA young bird watcher has been trying to spot an owl for months. Inspired by her passionate teacher, she tries one more time. Realistic pen and ink and watercolor illustrations.Five to NineLexile 510LATOS 2.6View book details

Cover of Bulldozer’s Big Rescue (Bulldozer and Friends series)

Bulldozer’s Big Rescue (Bulldozer and Friends series)Elise BroachShy bulldozer is nervous about starting school. Spending time with new neighbors might help. Two- color line drawings with clear backgrounds invite young readers to cheer for this timid truck.Five to NineView book details

SeriesEarl & Worm series • The Bad Idea and Other Stories • The Big Mess and Other Storieswritten and illustrated by Greg PizzoliThe adventures of two unlikely friends—a happy bird and a pessimistic worm—are chronicled in these early chapter books. Engaging, expressive, comical digital illustrations.Five to Nine

Cover of Little Mouse Saves the Day! (Little Mouse series)

Little Mouse Saves the Day! (Little Mouse series)Jeff SmithA “supermouse” faces his bedtime fear of the dark and the strange things he sees in his closet. Tips for adults on how to read comics with kids. Expressive, animated artwork.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Monti and Leo: A Mystery in Pocketville (Monti and Leo series)

Monti and Leo: A Mystery in Pocketville (Monti and Leo series)Sylvie KantorovitzWhen the truth is discovered after Leo the lizard is falsely accused by Monti the mole, they learn the meaning of friendship. Illustrations in muted colors.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Orris and Timble: Lost and Found (Orris and Timble series)

Orris and Timble: Lost and Found (Orris and Timble series)Kate DiCamilloA friendship between a rat and a young owl develops as they share stories each evening, until one day the owl doesn’t return. Will the two ever get to share another story? Gouache, colored pencil, and graphite pencil illustrations.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Tate Tuber: Space Spud

Tate Tuber: Space SpudMichael SlackA potato who wants to be an astronaut and his progeny save a space craft when the electrical power fails. Playful cartoon-style artwork.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Here Is a Book

Here Is a BookElisha Cooper, illustrated by Elisha CooperInviting two-page spreads and detailed spot illustrations in cool, soothing watercolor and pencil follow a book as it makes its way from author to publisher to reader.Five to NineView book details

Cover of Jordan’s Perfect Haircut

Jordan’s Perfect HaircutSharee MillerSchool picture day is coming, and Jordan’s friends are getting new haircuts. What style should he choose? Vibrant illustrations.Five to NineView book details