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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Maneki Neko the Tale of the Beckoning Cat
by Susan Lendroth
Illustrator: Kathryn Otoshi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A cat becomes the symbol of luck and prosperity. Based on Japanese folklore. Traditional old Japanese landscape illustrations.

Mary's Penny
by Tanya Landman
Illustrator: Richard Holland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Mary convinces her father and brothers that it takes brains not brawn to run their farm. Unique mixed media illustrations.

Mirror
written and ill. by Jeannie Baker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
This double picture book compares the lives of two boys and their Australian and Moroccan families in separate presentations.

Monsters Eat Whiny Children
written and ill. by Bruce Eric Kaplan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Two whiny children ignore their father's warning and are kidnapped by monsters who argue over how to eat them. Cartoon-like ink and watercolor illustrations.

Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog
written and ill. by Jon Agee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
With inventive wordplay, Mr. Putney's animal friends how how much fun there can be in a pun. Humorous watercolors show a deadpan Mr. Putney.

My Brother Charlie
by Holly Robinson Peete
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A warm account by a mother and daughter of creating an accepting atmosphere for Ryan's autistic twin brother. Mixed media illustrations.

Nabeel's New Pants
retold by Fawia Gilani-Williams
Illustrator: Proiti Roy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Nabeel finds time after a busy day to buy gifts for each family member for Eid. But he does have a problem with his pants.

Nibbles
written and ill. by Charlotte Middleton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
The guinea pigs of Dandeville have eaten all the dandelions except for one. But Nibbles has an idea--to the library! Cheerful mixed media illustrations.

Ol' Bloo's
by Jan Huling
Illustrator: Henri Sorensen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Based on “The Bremer Town Musicians,” and set in Louisiana, four old animals, rejected by their owners, set out to find stardom. Effective oil paintings, with silhouettes.

Once Upon a Baby Brother
by Sarah Sullivan
Illustrator: Tricia Tua
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Lizzie's baby brother goes from an annoyance to an inspiration for her creative stories. Humorous pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings.

Once Upon a Time/Había una vez
by Rueben Martínez
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Beloved tales from Spain and Latin America are retold in this bilingual collection. Full page painterly illustrations.

Only One Year
by Andrea Cheng
Illustrator: Nicole Wong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Fourth grader Sharon and first grader May grow closer when little brother DI Di goes to China--and when he comes back.

Pigs to the Rescue
written and ill. by John Himmelman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Throughout the week, the pigs try to help around the farm with hilarious results. Brilliantly imaginative illustrations.

Pika: Life in the Rocks
by Tannis Bill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A clear, fact-filled account of how this hamster-size mammal survives is accompanied by engaging color photographs.

Porky and Bess
by Ellen Weiss
Illustrator: Marsha Winborn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Despite their differences, Porky and Bess are best fiends and support each other in all endeavors. Easy reader.

Princesses are Not Perfect
by Kate Lum
Illustrator: Sue Hellard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Three princesses learn that they are not good at everything, just the things they love. Whimsical watercolors.

Princess Says Goodnight
by Naomi Howland
Illustrator: David Small
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
A little girl tackles bedtime rituals with great imagination and exuberance getting the royal treatment every step of the way. Humorous, sketchy, watercolor illustrations.

Rain School
written and ill. by James Rumford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
An easy-to-read story of children in Chad who are hard at work building their own school and learning their ABCs. Bright crayon drawings. Based on the author's Peace Corps experience

Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
retold by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Richly detailed watercolors will draw readers into this exciting tale based on an old ballad. Robin, as usual, outwits the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Ruth and the Green Book
by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
In the early 1950s, Ruth's family learns about The Green Book that lists “Negro-friendly” places to stop during their road trip from Chicago to Alabama. Expressive illustrations.

Safari
by Gail Tuchman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Attractive photographs and simple text show the animals seen on a safari.

Sergio Saves the Game!
written and ill. by Edel Rodriguez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Even if you're the one who always gets picked last, with hard work and luck, you can turn out to be a star! Bold, lively illustrations.

Shark vs. Train
by Chris Barton
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
What does it take to be a winner in this wildly imaginative competition between two toys? Annotated humorous illustrations.

Silas' Seven Grandparents
by Anita Horrocks
Illustrator: Helen Flook
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Having seven adoring grandparents sometimes leads to complications. Amusing illustrations in acrylic water based ink.

Sivu's Six Wishes
written and ill. by Jude Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2010
Sivu, a stone cutter, grows envious of people and things with more power than he believes he possesses--until he can recognize his own power. Soft acrylics trace his magical transformations.