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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Amy HodgePodge All Mixed Up!
by Kim Wayans
Illustrator: Soo Jeong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Formerly homeschooled, Amy , as the new girl in fourth grade, faces her own fears, successfully confronts teasing and makes good friends.

Amy HodgePodge Happy Birthday to Me
by Kim Wayans
Illustrator: Soo Jeong
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
See: Amy HodgePodge All Mixed Up!

Anansi and the Box of Stories
adapted by Stephen Krensky
Illustrator: Jeni Reeves
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Anansi the spider man tricks Nyame the sky god into sharing with earth's creatures all the stories in the world. Striking, colorful illustrations.

Anansi's Party Time
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The victim turns the tables on Anansi, the trickster spider. Humorous mixed media illustrations.

Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt
by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Thoughtful Andy and enthusiastic Dolores both want to do a project on Egypt. Will their different styles mesh or clash?

Annie and Simon
written and ill. by Catharine O'Neill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Annie's many antics are patiently supported by a loving brother. Lighthearted watercolors.

A Perfect Season for Dreaming/ Un tiempo perfecto para sonar
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Illustrator: Esau Andrade Valencia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A grandfather shares his fantastic dreams about piñatas. Colorful, folkloric paintings.

As Luck Would Have It
by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrator: Daniel San Souci
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Foolish twins wreak havoc on their home and the family fortune. A rollicking version of the Grimm tale with lavish watercolors.

Baila, Nana, Baila/Dance, Nana, Dance
retold by Joe Hayes
Illustrator: Mauricio Trenard Sayago
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Cuban culture shines through this lively collection of folktales about wisdom, wealth, tricksters and devils.

Basketball Bats
by Betty Hicks
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Basketball, soccer or swimming, these friends love to participate and to help each other.

Benny and Penny In Just Pretend
by Geoffrey Hayes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Benny learns that his kid sister is not such a bad playmate after all. Lively colorful graphics.

Big Brown Bat
written and ill. by Rick Chrustowski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The natural history of these common bats is described in clear, informative text. Colored pencil and watercolor wash illustrations.

Big Chickens Fly the Coop
by Leslie Helakoski
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Mayhem ensues when four adventurous chickens go in search of the farmhouse. Expressive, colorful illustrations.

Bloom!
written and ill. by Maria Van Lieshout
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Delicate ink and watercolor illustrations with spare text design show how one little pig finds love in unexpected places.

Bones and the Math Test Mystery
by David A. Adler
Illustrator: Barbara Johansen Newman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Jeffrey does not like math but he is good at solving mysteries. Can he find his missing math test?

Catching the Sun
by Coleen M. Paratore
Illustrator: Peter Catalanotto
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
As Dylan shares an early morning adventure with his mom, he has mixed feelings about the impending arrival of a new sibling.

Clever Duck
by Dick King-Smith
Illustrator: Nick Bruel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When the conceited pigs start picking on all the other farm animals, a clever duck and a dog, seeking revenge, become involved in amusing adventures.

Cool Zone with the Pain &the Great One
by Judy Blume
Illustrator: James Stevenson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
First grader, Jake, and his older sister, Abigail, have difficulty getting along--but, in the author's humorous fashion, they resolve their problems.

Cork and Fuzz
by Dori Chaconas
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When best friends Cork, a muskrat, and Fuzz, a possum, go collecting together, trouble comes when Fuzz is “collected” by a mother duck.

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
by Erica Silverman
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
In their fourth appearance, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa remind us that, rain or shine, they are always “just right.”

Crazy Like a Fox
written and ill. by Loreen Leedy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The story of Rufus the fox and Babette the lamb is told entirely in similes. Bright, clever illustrations.

Dogerella
by Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Donald Wu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A fairy dogmother helps Princess Bea and Dogerella find each other in this charming fairy-tale spoof.

Dolphins on the Sand
written and ill. by Jim Arnosky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A dolphin pod stranded on a sandbar is rescued by humans. Glowing, vibrant acrylic illustrations.

Duck Soup
written and ill. by Jackie Urbanovic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Max the duck disappears while concocting his special soup and his friends panic. Playful, humorous illustrations.

Eating Enchiladas
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Illustrator: Marcy Ramsey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Each third grader is supposed to report on a country, but Sarah can't decide until newly-arrived Mercedes gives her an idea.