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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Ellie McDoodle
written and ill. by Ruth McNally Barshaw
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
To keep track of their move, a family keeps a journal. Strong, humorous voices.
written and ill. by Ruth McNally Barshaw
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
To keep track of their move, a family keeps a journal. Strong, humorous voices.
Goof-Off Goalie
by Betty Hicks
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
See: Basketball Bats
by Betty Hicks
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
See: Basketball Bats
Goose and Duck
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A boy becomes “mother” to a goose, who becomes”mother” to a duck, until the birds grow up.
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A boy becomes “mother” to a goose, who becomes”mother” to a duck, until the birds grow up.
Her Mother's Face
by Roddy Doyle
Illustrator: Freya Blackwood
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
After her mother dies, Siobhan and her father mourn for years-- until a mysterious woman offers good advice.
by Roddy Doyle
Illustrator: Freya Blackwood
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
After her mother dies, Siobhan and her father mourn for years-- until a mysterious woman offers good advice.
Hogwash
ill. by Arthur Geisert
Illustrator: Arthur Geisert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A fantastic pictorial romp illustrates strange contraptions and machines designed to give baby pigs a bath.
ill. by Arthur Geisert
Illustrator: Arthur Geisert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A fantastic pictorial romp illustrates strange contraptions and machines designed to give baby pigs a bath.
Hogwood Steps Out
by Howard Mansfield
Illustrator: Barry Moser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A very smart pig enjoying the Spring has lots of fun outwitting the humans. Brilliant watercolors.
by Howard Mansfield
Illustrator: Barry Moser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A very smart pig enjoying the Spring has lots of fun outwitting the humans. Brilliant watercolors.
Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time
by James Howe
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Gay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Houndsley appreciates the peaceful opportunity a snowstorm provides, but Catina frets that it ruins all her plans.
by James Howe
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Gay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Houndsley appreciates the peaceful opportunity a snowstorm provides, but Catina frets that it ruins all her plans.
How to Heal a Broken Wing
written and ill. by Bob Graham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When Will finds a bird with a broken wing, he takes it home and cares for it. Soft pen, watercolor and chalk illustratons.
written and ill. by Bob Graham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When Will finds a bird with a broken wing, he takes it home and cares for it. Soft pen, watercolor and chalk illustratons.
Ibby's Magic Weekend
by Heather Dyer
Illustrator: Pter Bailey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Three cousins have funny adventures using a magic set found in their attic.
by Heather Dyer
Illustrator: Pter Bailey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Three cousins have funny adventures using a magic set found in their attic.
I Know An Old Teacher
by Anne Bowen
Illustrator: Stephen Gammell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
This adaptation of a familiar rhyme is enhanced by very funny mixed media illustrations.
by Anne Bowen
Illustrator: Stephen Gammell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
This adaptation of a familiar rhyme is enhanced by very funny mixed media illustrations.
I Love My New Toy!
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two best friends share their toys and eventually accept the joy of playing with one another.
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two best friends share their toys and eventually accept the joy of playing with one another.
Imagine a Dragon
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Eujin Kim Neilan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Dragon stories from Europe and Asia are accompanied by swirling detailed acrylic paintings.
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Eujin Kim Neilan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Dragon stories from Europe and Asia are accompanied by swirling detailed acrylic paintings.
I Will Surprise My Friend!
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
See: I Love My new Toy!
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
See: I Love My new Toy!
Jack and the Box
written and ill. by Art Spiegelman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Jack finds more than he expected in his “silly toy” box. Clever graphic format.
written and ill. by Art Spiegelman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Jack finds more than he expected in his “silly toy” box. Clever graphic format.
Jack's House
by Karen Magnuson Beil
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Humorous cumulative text reveals who was really responsible for the house that Jack built. Information about trucks included.
by Karen Magnuson Beil
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Humorous cumulative text reveals who was really responsible for the house that Jack built. Information about trucks included.
Jim's Dog, Muffins
by Miriam Cohen
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
After his dog is killed, Jim's first-grade classmates try to help him feel better. Sensitive watercolors.
by Miriam Cohen
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
After his dog is killed, Jim's first-grade classmates try to help him feel better. Sensitive watercolors.
Just in Case
written and ill. by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Playful English text peppered with Spanish and paintings in a vibrant Mexican color palette explore an alphabetical gathering of gifts
written and ill. by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Playful English text peppered with Spanish and paintings in a vibrant Mexican color palette explore an alphabetical gathering of gifts
Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up
by Melissa Thomson
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Bubbly Keena can't wait for second grade to start, but she needs her journal when small mishaps start to build.
by Melissa Thomson
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Bubbly Keena can't wait for second grade to start, but she needs her journal when small mishaps start to build.
Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears
written and ill. by Emily Gravett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Little mouse fears everything but discovers that everyone is afraid of some things. Sophisticated humor is expressed in mock newsprint and found object collages.
written and ill. by Emily Gravett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Little mouse fears everything but discovers that everyone is afraid of some things. Sophisticated humor is expressed in mock newsprint and found object collages.
Lucy's Cave
by Karen B. Winnick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The true story of eleven-year-old Lucy who hid with her family and townsfolk in local caves during the Civil War siege. Soulful oil paintings.
by Karen B. Winnick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The true story of eleven-year-old Lucy who hid with her family and townsfolk in local caves during the Civil War siege. Soulful oil paintings.
Max & Mo's Halloween Surprise
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two hamsters have a joyous time creating masks. Appealing cartoon-like line drawings.
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two hamsters have a joyous time creating masks. Appealing cartoon-like line drawings.
Maybe Later
by Ingrid Lee
Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Johnny's imagination is inspired by an old green bottle found long ago on the seashore by his grandfather.
by Ingrid Lee
Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Johnny's imagination is inspired by an old green bottle found long ago on the seashore by his grandfather.
Maybelle Goes To Tea
by Katie Speck
Illustrator: Paul Rátz de Tagyos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
What happens when a cockroach ventures out for a tasty treat. Humorous black and white illustrations.
by Katie Speck
Illustrator: Paul Rátz de Tagyos
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
What happens when a cockroach ventures out for a tasty treat. Humorous black and white illustrations.
Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Mercy is at it again! She has eaten all the neighbors pansies and is in trouble with Animal Control. Animated gouache illustrations.
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Mercy is at it again! She has eaten all the neighbors pansies and is in trouble with Animal Control. Animated gouache illustrations.
Mermaids on Parade
written and ill. by Melanie Hope Greenberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Coney Island's annual festival comes to life through a girl's excitement at being in the parade. Vibrant gouache illustrations.
written and ill. by Melanie Hope Greenberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Coney Island's annual festival comes to life through a girl's excitement at being in the parade. Vibrant gouache illustrations.