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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by Mina Javaherbin
Illustrator: A. G. Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Young South African boys triumph over dangerous streets and local bullies when they play soccer together. Full page oil paintings convey the tension.
by Mina Javaherbin
Illustrator: A. G. Ford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Young South African boys triumph over dangerous streets and local bullies when they play soccer together. Full page oil paintings convey the tension.
Grandma's Gloves
by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Juia Denos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young girl's love for her gardening grandmother and the things she taught her continue even after the grandmother's death. Warm and inviting illustrations.
by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Juia Denos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young girl's love for her gardening grandmother and the things she taught her continue even after the grandmother's death. Warm and inviting illustrations.
Gumption!
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Richard Egielski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Bold, humorous ink and watercolor illustrations provide the humorous subtext as Peter and his uncle go exploring.
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Richard Egielski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Bold, humorous ink and watercolor illustrations provide the humorous subtext as Peter and his uncle go exploring.
Gunner, Football Hero
written and ill. by James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Gunner, the team's third-string quarterback, practices harder than anyone else--but will he ever get to plat? Expressive watercol,ors.
written and ill. by James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Gunner, the team's third-string quarterback, practices harder than anyone else--but will he ever get to plat? Expressive watercol,ors.
Hallowilloween
by Calef Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Silly and scary, these poems capture the fun, and fear, of the holiday. Colorful illustrations are part of the fun.
by Calef Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Silly and scary, these poems capture the fun, and fear, of the holiday. Colorful illustrations are part of the fun.
Hamster and Cheese
by Colleen A Venable
Illustrator: Stephanie Yue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Sasspants the guinea pig, reluctant detective, cracks the case of the missing sandwich in this highly humorous graphic novel.
by Colleen A Venable
Illustrator: Stephanie Yue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Sasspants the guinea pig, reluctant detective, cracks the case of the missing sandwich in this highly humorous graphic novel.
Have You Seen My Dinosaur?
by Jon Surgal
Illustrator: Joe Mathieu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young boy searches for his dinosaur who lurks in every setting, but eludes him and the skeptical adults. Humorous rhyming text and illustrations.
by Jon Surgal
Illustrator: Joe Mathieu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young boy searches for his dinosaur who lurks in every setting, but eludes him and the skeptical adults. Humorous rhyming text and illustrations.
Henry Aaron's Dream
written and ill. by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Inspired by Jackie Robinson, Henry Aaron achieved his dream of playing baseball in the Major Leagues despite continuing discrimination against black players. Dramatic watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations.
written and ill. by Matt Tavares
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Inspired by Jackie Robinson, Henry Aaron achieved his dream of playing baseball in the Major Leagues despite continuing discrimination against black players. Dramatic watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations.
Herbert: TheTrue Story of a Brave Sea Dog
written and ill. by Robyn Belton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
The incredible, true story of a beloved dog who survived for thirty hours in the sea and his eleven-year-old owner who didn't give up hope. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Robyn Belton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
The incredible, true story of a beloved dog who survived for thirty hours in the sea and his eleven-year-old owner who didn't give up hope. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Home on the Range
by Lucy Nolan
Illustrator: Mike Reed
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
City dogs Down Girl and Sit go on vacation to a dude ranch and find adventure in the Wild West.
by Lucy Nolan
Illustrator: Mike Reed
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
City dogs Down Girl and Sit go on vacation to a dude ranch and find adventure in the Wild West.
Hooray for Anna Hibiscus!
by Atinuke
Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
See: Anna Hibiscus
by Atinuke
Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
See: Anna Hibiscus
How Tía Lola Learned to Teach
by Julia Alvarez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Third grader Juanita and her fifth grader brother, Miguel, learn about the power of their new Vermont community when their caretaker aunt teaches their classmates Spanish.
by Julia Alvarez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Third grader Juanita and her fifth grader brother, Miguel, learn about the power of their new Vermont community when their caretaker aunt teaches their classmates Spanish.
How to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps
by Jennifer LaRue Huget
Illustrator: Edward Koren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young girl offers very funny “how to” advice accompanied by nervous ink and watercolor line drawings.
by Jennifer LaRue Huget
Illustrator: Edward Koren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A young girl offers very funny “how to” advice accompanied by nervous ink and watercolor line drawings.
Interrupting Chicken
written and ill. by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Will Papa ever be able to finish telling Chicken a bedtime story? Vibrant mixed media illustrations.
written and ill. by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Will Papa ever be able to finish telling Chicken a bedtime story? Vibrant mixed media illustrations.
In the Garden with Dr. Carver
by Susan Grigsby
Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
When George Washington Carver brings his “movable school” to Sally's Alabama town, she learns that when you “listen to the plants, they'll tell you what they need.”
by Susan Grigsby
Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
When George Washington Carver brings his “movable school” to Sally's Alabama town, she learns that when you “listen to the plants, they'll tell you what they need.”
In the Wild
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Holly Meade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Elephant, sloth and orangutan, along with many other wild animals, come to life through thought-provoking poems and bold woodblock prints.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Holly Meade
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Elephant, sloth and orangutan, along with many other wild animals, come to life through thought-provoking poems and bold woodblock prints.
It's Raining Cupcakes
by Lisa Schroeder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A girl, her best friend, a mom who doesn't follow through and a cupcake shop all come together--with icing on the top.
by Lisa Schroeder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A girl, her best friend, a mom who doesn't follow through and a cupcake shop all come together--with icing on the top.
Joha Makes a Wish
adapted by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Omar Rayyan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Joha, the trickster, acquires a “wishing stick” in an original tale based on Middle Easter folklore. Humorously exaggerated watercolors.
adapted by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Omar Rayyan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Joha, the trickster, acquires a “wishing stick” in an original tale based on Middle Easter folklore. Humorously exaggerated watercolors.
Just Desserts
by Hallie Durand
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Dessert thinks she has a plan to control her annoying siblings and make a profit at the same time.
by Hallie Durand
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Dessert thinks she has a plan to control her annoying siblings and make a profit at the same time.
Justin Case
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Humorous line drawings enhance this tale of a third-grade boy with whom kids will empathize.
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Humorous line drawings enhance this tale of a third-grade boy with whom kids will empathize.
Lucky Beans
by Becky Birtha
Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
With his knowledge of math and the desire to help his family during the Depression, Marshall turns his dislike of beans into a worthy cause. Soft, watercolor illustrations.
by Becky Birtha
Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
With his knowledge of math and the desire to help his family during the Depression, Marshall turns his dislike of beans into a worthy cause. Soft, watercolor illustrations.
Lucy and the Green Man
by Linda Newbery
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Lucy wonders when she will see the mysterious, invisible helper of her grandparent's gardens. A delightful fantasy.
by Linda Newbery
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Lucy wonders when she will see the mysterious, invisible helper of her grandparent's gardens. A delightful fantasy.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus
by Judith Viorst
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Never one to accept “no” for an answer, even when she demands a brontosaurus for a birthday present, Lulu finds one for herself, but he has surprising plans of his own.
by Judith Viorst
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Never one to accept “no” for an answer, even when she demands a brontosaurus for a birthday present, Lulu finds one for herself, but he has surprising plans of his own.
Magnus Maximus, A Marvelous Measurer
by Kathleen T. Pelley
Illustrator: S. D. Schindler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
When he breaks his glasses, Magnus Maxim us discovers there is more to life than measuring and counting all manner of strange things. Humorously told. Intricate Victorian-type illustrations.
by Kathleen T. Pelley
Illustrator: S. D. Schindler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
When he breaks his glasses, Magnus Maxim us discovers there is more to life than measuring and counting all manner of strange things. Humorously told. Intricate Victorian-type illustrations.
Making the Moose Out of Life
written and ill. by Nicholas Oldland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Timid moose knows there's something missing in his life, and he sets out bravely to find it. Bold, detailed illustrations.
written and ill. by Nicholas Oldland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Timid moose knows there's something missing in his life, and he sets out bravely to find it. Bold, detailed illustrations.