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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Barack Obama
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: James Bernardin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A short biography of our current President presented briefly but clearly.
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: James Bernardin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A short biography of our current President presented briefly but clearly.
Bella & Bean
by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Illustrator: Aileen Leijten
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Bella tries very hard to concentrate on her poetry until she realizes that her best friend Bean is her inspiration.
by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Illustrator: Aileen Leijten
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Bella tries very hard to concentrate on her poetry until she realizes that her best friend Bean is her inspiration.
Billy & Milly
by Eve B. Feldman
Illustrator: Tuesday Mourning
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Three or four rhymed words, along with humorous mixed-media illustrations, invite readers to interpret a much longer story.
by Eve B. Feldman
Illustrator: Tuesday Mourning
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Three or four rhymed words, along with humorous mixed-media illustrations, invite readers to interpret a much longer story.
Binky the Space Cat
written and ill. by Ashley Spires
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A hilarious graphic novel about Binky, “qualified space Cat and brave alien hunter,” even if he has never actually left the house.
written and ill. by Ashley Spires
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A hilarious graphic novel about Binky, “qualified space Cat and brave alien hunter,” even if he has never actually left the house.
Calvin Coconut
by Graham Salisbury
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grade in Hawaii is pretty cool--even if it means coping with the class bully and centipedes in the garage bedroom.
by Graham Salisbury
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grade in Hawaii is pretty cool--even if it means coping with the class bully and centipedes in the garage bedroom.
Clementine's Letter
by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Clementine helps the substitute teacher learn the “rules” of her third-grade classroom.
by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Clementine helps the substitute teacher learn the “rules” of her third-grade classroom.
Cora Cooks Pancit
by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
Illustrator: Kristi Valiant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Cora, youngest in a family of Filipino-Americans, longs to help her mother cook the popular noodle dish. Colorful paintings, glossary, and recipe.
by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
Illustrator: Kristi Valiant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Cora, youngest in a family of Filipino-Americans, longs to help her mother cook the popular noodle dish. Colorful paintings, glossary, and recipe.
Cork & Fuzz
by Dori Chaconas
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two friends learn that “finders-keepers” is not always the best policy in this early chapter book. Textured, full-colored illustrations.
by Dori Chaconas
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two friends learn that “finders-keepers” is not always the best policy in this early chapter book. Textured, full-colored illustrations.
Crazy Hair
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Amazing creatures nest in a tangled mass. Clever rhyme and imaginative, outrageous illustrations.
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Amazing creatures nest in a tangled mass. Clever rhyme and imaginative, outrageous illustrations.
Cromwell Dixon's Sky-Cycle
written and ill. by John Abbott Nez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In 1907, fourteen-year-old Cromwell Dixon uses much ingenuity to build and fly his sky-cycle. Based on a true story. Humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by John Abbott Nez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In 1907, fourteen-year-old Cromwell Dixon uses much ingenuity to build and fly his sky-cycle. Based on a true story. Humorous illustrations.
Crow Call
by Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In this quiet, moving tale, Liz and her father reconnect after his return from World War II. Muted, realistic illustrations.
by Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In this quiet, moving tale, Liz and her father reconnect after his return from World War II. Muted, realistic illustrations.
Davy Crockett Gets Hitched
retold by Bobbi Miller
Illustrator: Megan Lloyd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind becomes Mrs. Crockett after Davy shows that his dancing skills are better than hers. Humorous oil paintings.
retold by Bobbi Miller
Illustrator: Megan Lloyd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind becomes Mrs. Crockett after Davy shows that his dancing skills are better than hers. Humorous oil paintings.
Dear Vampa
written and ill. by Ross Collins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
An apparently non-blood seeking vampire family is aghast when new neighbors disturb their days and frustrate their nights. Story enhancing illustration.
written and ill. by Ross Collins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
An apparently non-blood seeking vampire family is aghast when new neighbors disturb their days and frustrate their nights. Story enhancing illustration.
Dinosaur Woods
written and ill. by George McClements
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When their forest is threatened, seven creatures come up with a new, big, amazing idea to save it. Humorous collage illustrations.
written and ill. by George McClements
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When their forest is threatened, seven creatures come up with a new, big, amazing idea to save it. Humorous collage illustrations.
Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Missing Books
written and ill. by Doug Cushman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Who's stealing books in the town of Ghostly? Reporter Dirk Bones tries to find out in this slightly spooky, book-loving tale with funny, goosepimply, full-color illustrations.
written and ill. by Doug Cushman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Who's stealing books in the town of Ghostly? Reporter Dirk Bones tries to find out in this slightly spooky, book-loving tale with funny, goosepimply, full-color illustrations.
Don't Look Now
written and ill. by Ed Briant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In this nearly wordless story, two brothers find that trying to trick each other leads to unexpected, zany adventures. Wonderfully detailed, expressive and humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Ed Briant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In this nearly wordless story, two brothers find that trying to trick each other leads to unexpected, zany adventures. Wonderfully detailed, expressive and humorous illustrations.
Dracula Madness
by Mary Labatt
Illustrator: Jo Rioux
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Mystery-solving dog, Samantha, and her new people friend, Jennie who can read Sam's mind, investigate a recluse's house.
by Mary Labatt
Illustrator: Jo Rioux
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Mystery-solving dog, Samantha, and her new people friend, Jennie who can read Sam's mind, investigate a recluse's house.
Dragonbreath
by Ursula Vernon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Danny, the only mythical creature in school, has a big imagination--but his underwater adventure is (mostly) real. Part graphic format.
by Ursula Vernon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Danny, the only mythical creature in school, has a big imagination--but his underwater adventure is (mostly) real. Part graphic format.
El Barrio
by Debbi Chocolate
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A young boy describes the diversity and richness of Latino life in the barrio. Vibrant multi-media illustrations.
by Debbi Chocolate
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A young boy describes the diversity and richness of Latino life in the barrio. Vibrant multi-media illustrations.
Excellent Emma
by Sally Warner
Illustrator: Jamie Harper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Emma does not share her third grade teacher's enthusiasm for the upcoming Winter Games Day. She learns that winning is wonderful, but so is friendship.
by Sally Warner
Illustrator: Jamie Harper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Emma does not share her third grade teacher's enthusiasm for the upcoming Winter Games Day. She learns that winning is wonderful, but so is friendship.
Fancy Nancy
by Jane O'Connor
Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fancy Nancy and her best friend explore the natural science in the backyard.
by Jane O'Connor
Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fancy Nancy and her best friend explore the natural science in the backyard.
Farley Follows his Nose
by Lynn Johnston
Illustrator: Beth Cruikshank
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Farley spends his day finding good things to eat and ends it by using his nose to bring a lost boy home. Bright, animated illustrations.
by Lynn Johnston
Illustrator: Beth Cruikshank
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Farley spends his day finding good things to eat and ends it by using his nose to bring a lost boy home. Bright, animated illustrations.
First Come the Zebra
written and ill. by Lynne Barasch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two boys from different tribes overcome ethnic prejudice to work together. Evocative watercolors of the Kenyan grasslands.
written and ill. by Lynne Barasch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two boys from different tribes overcome ethnic prejudice to work together. Evocative watercolors of the Kenyan grasslands.
First Dog
by J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
“Dog” visits dogs aroud the world before finding his way to a famous white house. Paintings inspired by the real “first dog.”
by J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
“Dog” visits dogs aroud the world before finding his way to a famous white house. Paintings inspired by the real “first dog.”