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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Foo, the Flying Frog of Washtub Pond
written and ill. by Belle Yang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A boastful frog is humbled--but learns the value of friendship. Saturated gouache illustrations highlight pond life.
written and ill. by Belle Yang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A boastful frog is humbled--but learns the value of friendship. Saturated gouache illustrations highlight pond life.
Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom
written and ill. by Eric Wight
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grader Frankie has quite an imagination--but will it help him escape the Closet of Doom? Humorous black-and-white illustrations.
written and ill. by Eric Wight
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grader Frankie has quite an imagination--but will it help him escape the Closet of Doom? Humorous black-and-white illustrations.
Friend or Fiend?
by Judy Blume
Illustrator: James Stevenson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Feuding siblings discover the importance of relationships in a series of humorous vignettes. Cartoon-loke illustrations.
by Judy Blume
Illustrator: James Stevenson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Feuding siblings discover the importance of relationships in a series of humorous vignettes. Cartoon-loke illustrations.
Galileo's Leaning Tower Experiment
by Wendy MacDonald
Illustrator: Paolo Rui
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The meeting and scientific collaboration of a young boy in Pisa and professor Galileo challenges Aristotle's theory about falling objects.
by Wendy MacDonald
Illustrator: Paolo Rui
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The meeting and scientific collaboration of a young boy in Pisa and professor Galileo challenges Aristotle's theory about falling objects.
Good Dog, Aggie
by Lori Ries
Illustrator: Frank W. Dormer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Ben finds training his exuberant dog quite a challenge until he figures out what Aggie really likes. Expressive, humorous drawings.
by Lori Ries
Illustrator: Frank W. Dormer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Ben finds training his exuberant dog quite a challenge until he figures out what Aggie really likes. Expressive, humorous drawings.
Gooney Bird is So Absurd
by Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Middy Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
With Mrs. Pidgeon, their teacher, the second graders work their way through the year with poetry, projects, and pleasure. Charcoal illustrations bring the classroom to life.
by Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Middy Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
With Mrs. Pidgeon, their teacher, the second graders work their way through the year with poetry, projects, and pleasure. Charcoal illustrations bring the classroom to life.
Gracias/Thanks
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A young boy celebrates the many things that make his life special, beautiful, and thanks-worthy. Lively, colorful illustrations.
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A young boy celebrates the many things that make his life special, beautiful, and thanks-worthy. Lively, colorful illustrations.
Hansel and Gretel
retold and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The classic tale is retold in an African setting and superbly illustrated with colorful Matisse-influenced collages.
retold and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The classic tale is retold in an African setting and superbly illustrated with colorful Matisse-influenced collages.
Henry's Night
by D.B. Johnson
Illustrator: D.B. Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When Henry cannot sleep, he sets off into the dark to hear the whippoorwill. Soft, shadowy mixed-media illustrations.
by D.B. Johnson
Illustrator: D.B. Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When Henry cannot sleep, he sets off into the dark to hear the whippoorwill. Soft, shadowy mixed-media illustrations.
Henry the Impatient Heron
by Donna Love
Illustrator: Christina Wald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Now that he must catch his own food, Henry is successful after he learns the importance of standing still. Full-color, close-up illustrations.
by Donna Love
Illustrator: Christina Wald
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Now that he must catch his own food, Henry is successful after he learns the importance of standing still. Full-color, close-up illustrations.
Homegrown House
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A girl who has moved often wants to live like her grandmother in the stability of a long-term home. soft watercolors.
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A girl who has moved often wants to live like her grandmother in the stability of a long-term home. soft watercolors.
Homework
by Arthur Yorinks
Illustrator: Richard Egielski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Tony's school tools help him do his homework. With wonderful arguments and a satisfying conclusion this is a great read-a-loud.
by Arthur Yorinks
Illustrator: Richard Egielski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Tony's school tools help him do his homework. With wonderful arguments and a satisfying conclusion this is a great read-a-loud.
Honest Abe Lincoln
by David A. Adler
Illustrator: John Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Captivating anecdotes from the life of Abraham Lincoln will inspire young historians to learn more. Full-color illustrations.
by David A. Adler
Illustrator: John Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Captivating anecdotes from the life of Abraham Lincoln will inspire young historians to learn more. Full-color illustrations.
Honk, Honk, Goose!
by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Evocative cut-paper collages accompany this comforting, informative tale of two Canada geese and their new-born chicks.
by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Evocative cut-paper collages accompany this comforting, informative tale of two Canada geese and their new-born chicks.
Houndsley and Catina
by James Howe
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Gay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two friends learn to share hobbies loved by one and feared by the other. Cheerful watercolors add to the fun.
by James Howe
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Gay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two friends learn to share hobbies loved by one and feared by the other. Cheerful watercolors add to the fun.
How to Talk to Girls
by Alec Greven
Illustrator: Kei Acedra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
An experienced nine-year-old boy offers advice on how to talk to the opposite sex.
by Alec Greven
Illustrator: Kei Acedra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
An experienced nine-year-old boy offers advice on how to talk to the opposite sex.
It's A Secret!
written and ill. by John Burningham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Where do cats go at night? Marie Elaine begs her dressed-up cat to take her along. It's a cat party! Sketchy, mixed-media illustrations.
written and ill. by John Burningham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Where do cats go at night? Marie Elaine begs her dressed-up cat to take her along. It's a cat party! Sketchy, mixed-media illustrations.
Jackson and Bud's Bumpy Ride
by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff
Illustrator: Wes Hargis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The first ever automobile trip across the United States by two men and a dog was filled with adventure, breakdowns, and finally--success. Based on a true account.
by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff
Illustrator: Wes Hargis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The first ever automobile trip across the United States by two men and a dog was filled with adventure, breakdowns, and finally--success. Based on a true account.
Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels
by Jamie Michalak
Illustrator: Frank Remkiewicz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two zoo animals have an hilarious romp in a “borrowed” car.
by Jamie Michalak
Illustrator: Frank Remkiewicz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two zoo animals have an hilarious romp in a “borrowed” car.
Let's Do Nothing!
written and ill. by Tony Fucile
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two bored friends challenge one another to play without moving --with surprising results. Funny ink, watercolor, and acrylic artwork.
written and ill. by Tony Fucile
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two bored friends challenge one another to play without moving --with surprising results. Funny ink, watercolor, and acrylic artwork.
Little Devils
written and ill. by Robert J. Blake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
By doing what Tasmanian devils are supposed to do, three pups rescue their mother from a trap. Atmospheric oil paintings.
written and ill. by Robert J. Blake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
By doing what Tasmanian devils are supposed to do, three pups rescue their mother from a trap. Atmospheric oil paintings.
Look Out, Jeremy Bean!
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In three humorous stories, Jeremy plans an original show-and-tell project, learns about dust bunnies, and makes a new friend.
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In three humorous stories, Jeremy plans an original show-and-tell project, learns about dust bunnies, and makes a new friend.
Lost and Found
written and ill. by Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A girl's dog leads her home; a boy finds his dog and a dog helps a family find a new home. Endearing dogs illustrated in acrylic washes and colored pencil.
written and ill. by Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A girl's dog leads her home; a boy finds his dog and a dog helps a family find a new home. Endearing dogs illustrated in acrylic washes and colored pencil.
Louie!
written and ill. by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A creative interpretation of the childhood of Ludwig Bemelmans introduces a pig who loves to draw. Whimsical collage and gouache illustrations.
written and ill. by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A creative interpretation of the childhood of Ludwig Bemelmans introduces a pig who loves to draw. Whimsical collage and gouache illustrations.
Magical Kids: The Smallest girl Ever and the Boy Who Could Fly
written and ill. by Sally Gardner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Ten-year-old Ruby and nine-year-old Thomas develop magical abilities and challenges to go along with them.
written and ill. by Sally Gardner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Ten-year-old Ruby and nine-year-old Thomas develop magical abilities and challenges to go along with them.