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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Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
by Nikki Grimes
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The new girl in school befriends a new boy classmate which enables them both to feel more comfortable.
by Nikki Grimes
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The new girl in school befriends a new boy classmate which enables them both to feel more comfortable.
Marsh Island
by Sonya Spreen Bates
Illustrator: Kasia Charko
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two brothers go camping with their father and have unanticipated adventures.
by Sonya Spreen Bates
Illustrator: Kasia Charko
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Two brothers go camping with their father and have unanticipated adventures.
Max Disaster #1
by Marissa Moss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Creating expeiments, inventions, and comics in his logbook helps Max deal with his parents' separation.
by Marissa Moss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Creating expeiments, inventions, and comics in his logbook helps Max deal with his parents' separation.
Minifred Goes to School
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Minifred, the cat, could almost pass as a child; she talks and wears dresses. However, there is one thing she just won't do.
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Minifred, the cat, could almost pass as a child; she talks and wears dresses. However, there is one thing she just won't do.
Most Loved in All the World
by Tonya Cherie Hegamin
Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A slave mother who makes a quilt full of symbols as a guide to reaching freedom is the subject of this poignant story. Acrylic paint and textile collages.
by Tonya Cherie Hegamin
Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A slave mother who makes a quilt full of symbols as a guide to reaching freedom is the subject of this poignant story. Acrylic paint and textile collages.
Mousie Love
by Dori Chaconas
Illustrator: Josée Masse
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Tully asks Frill to marry him, but what will she say after so many mishaps don't give her a chance to answer?
by Dori Chaconas
Illustrator: Josée Masse
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Tully asks Frill to marry him, but what will she say after so many mishaps don't give her a chance to answer?
My Name is Sangoel
by Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A fatherless boy from western Sudan settles in the United States and finds a creative way to fit in and stay true to himself. Watercolor illustrations.
by Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A fatherless boy from western Sudan settles in the United States and finds a creative way to fit in and stay true to himself. Watercolor illustrations.
My Parents are Divorced, My Elbows Have Nicknames, and Other Facts About me
by Bill Cochran
Illustrator: Steve Björkman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A young boy tries to come to grips with his parents' divorce--on his own terms and with a sense of humor. Cartoon-like watercolors.
by Bill Cochran
Illustrator: Steve Björkman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A young boy tries to come to grips with his parents' divorce--on his own terms and with a sense of humor. Cartoon-like watercolors.
My Uncle Emily
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The relationship beween Emily Dickinson and her nephew, Gib, is poignantly presented. Expressive period-style illustrations. Biographical information.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The relationship beween Emily Dickinson and her nephew, Gib, is poignantly presented. Expressive period-style illustrations. Biographical information.
Nikki & Deja
by Karen English
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
It is Deja's eighth birthday and another girl has scheduled a party just to antagonize her. Amusing black and white illustrations.
by Karen English
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
It is Deja's eighth birthday and another girl has scheduled a party just to antagonize her. Amusing black and white illustrations.
OK Go
written and ill. by Carin Berger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Energetic, detailed collage art, bold design, and spare text show creative ways to go green.
written and ill. by Carin Berger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Energetic, detailed collage art, bold design, and spare text show creative ways to go green.
One Fine Trade
retold by Bobbi Miller
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
As in the old folk song, a peddlar trades animals and objects to obtain a wedding dress for his daughter. Humorous ink, pencil and gouache illustrations.
retold by Bobbi Miller
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
As in the old folk song, a peddlar trades animals and objects to obtain a wedding dress for his daughter. Humorous ink, pencil and gouache illustrations.
Panda Kindergarten
by Joanne Ryder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Young pandas being raised at Wolong Nature Reserve in China star in adorable photographs and cheerful text.
by Joanne Ryder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Young pandas being raised at Wolong Nature Reserve in China star in adorable photographs and cheerful text.
Pearl and Wagner
by Kate McMullan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Pearl the rabbit is having fun, but April Fools Day is not a good day for Wagner the mouse.
by Kate McMullan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Pearl the rabbit is having fun, but April Fools Day is not a good day for Wagner the mouse.
Pelé
by Monica Brown
Illustrator: Rudy Gutierrez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Stunning, energetic paintings and engaging bilingual text tell how a poor, yet determined, Brazilian boy became the world's greatest soccer player.
by Monica Brown
Illustrator: Rudy Gutierrez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Stunning, energetic paintings and engaging bilingual text tell how a poor, yet determined, Brazilian boy became the world's greatest soccer player.
Peter Peter Picks a Pumpkin House
by Christine Graham
Illustrator: Susan Boase
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Peter Peter and his wife grow pumpkins outside their little hut and find an unusual solution to their leaky roof.
by Christine Graham
Illustrator: Susan Boase
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Peter Peter and his wife grow pumpkins outside their little hut and find an unusual solution to their leaky roof.
Pig-Boy
written and ill. by Gerald McDermott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
This wily porcine trickster's hunger is always getting him in trouble--but he knows how to get out of it. Bold, funny illustrations.
written and ill. by Gerald McDermott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
This wily porcine trickster's hunger is always getting him in trouble--but he knows how to get out of it. Bold, funny illustrations.
Pond Circle
by Betsy Franco
Illustrator: Stefano Vitale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The circle of life in and around a pond is lyrically described with sensitive detail. Includes factual information. Stunning oil-on-board illustrations.
by Betsy Franco
Illustrator: Stefano Vitale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The circle of life in and around a pond is lyrically described with sensitive detail. Includes factual information. Stunning oil-on-board illustrations.
Princess Hyacinth (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated)
by Florence Parry Heide
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Princess Hyacinth has an unusual problem - she floats in the air. Whimsical computer-manipulated illustrations in ink and oils.
by Florence Parry Heide
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Princess Hyacinth has an unusual problem - she floats in the air. Whimsical computer-manipulated illustrations in ink and oils.
Raspberries!
by Jay O'Callahan
Illustrator: Will Moses
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A luckless baker turns his life around with some very special raspberries, a gift for past kindness. Colorful folk-art paintings. CD included. A good read-aloud.
by Jay O'Callahan
Illustrator: Will Moses
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A luckless baker turns his life around with some very special raspberries, a gift for past kindness. Colorful folk-art paintings. CD included. A good read-aloud.
Ready to Dream
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Bronwyn Bancroft
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Ally meets an Aboriginal on her trip to Australia and learns to use sand, sunlight, and her mistakes to create a whole new kind of art.
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Bronwyn Bancroft
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Ally meets an Aboriginal on her trip to Australia and learns to use sand, sunlight, and her mistakes to create a whole new kind of art.
Redwoods
written and ill. by Jason Chin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A book and a boy's imagination take him from a New York subway into the forest to gain extensive information about the endangered redwood trees. Watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Jason Chin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A book and a boy's imagination take him from a New York subway into the forest to gain extensive information about the endangered redwood trees. Watercolor illustrations.
René Has Two Last Names/René Tiene Dos Apellidos
by René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Fabiola Graullera Ramírez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
René explains why Hispanic people use two last names to represent the proud heritage of their extended families.
by René Colato Laínez
Illustrator: Fabiola Graullera Ramírez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
René explains why Hispanic people use two last names to represent the proud heritage of their extended families.
Robin Hill School
by Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mike Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Emma's dad helps her devise a list of small ideas for saving the Earth that she learns can have big results.
by Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mike Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Emma's dad helps her devise a list of small ideas for saving the Earth that she learns can have big results.