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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Metal Man
by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Paul Hoppe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A boy watches a neighborhood artist despite his family's reluctance and discovers the beauty of his own imagination.
by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Paul Hoppe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A boy watches a neighborhood artist despite his family's reluctance and discovers the beauty of his own imagination.
Molly and her Dad
by Jan Ormerod
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When father who lives far away visits his daughter, both discover how much they have in common. Humorous, animated illustrations.
by Jan Ormerod
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When father who lives far away visits his daughter, both discover how much they have in common. Humorous, animated illustrations.
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank -you Notes
by Peggy Gifford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Moxy's back and she is not letting twelve Christmas thank you notes keep her from visiting her father in Hollywood.
by Peggy Gifford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Moxy's back and she is not letting twelve Christmas thank you notes keep her from visiting her father in Hollywood.
Ms. McCaw Learns to Draw
written and ill. by Kaethe Zemach
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
His teacher is really good at helping Dudley pay atttention but is really bad at drawing. Lively ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Kaethe Zemach
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
His teacher is really good at helping Dudley pay atttention but is really bad at drawing. Lively ink and watercolor illustrations.
My Chincoteague Pony
written and ill. by Susan Jeffers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Through hard work and the generosity of strangers, Julie realizes her dream of owning one of the famous ponies. Soft watercolors.
written and ill. by Susan Jeffers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Through hard work and the generosity of strangers, Julie realizes her dream of owning one of the famous ponies. Soft watercolors.
My Friend, the Starfinder
by George Ella Lyon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A neighbor's stories astound a young girl. But are they true? Fanciful pastel, watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by George Ella Lyon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A neighbor's stories astound a young girl. But are they true? Fanciful pastel, watercolor and gouache illustrations.
My Travelin' Eye
written and ill. by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Because Jenny Sue has a lazy and ‘travellin' eye, she sees the world in a special way. Dynamic and humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Because Jenny Sue has a lazy and ‘travellin' eye, she sees the world in a special way. Dynamic and humorous illustrations.
Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep
by Susan Lendroth
Illustrator: Raul Allen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Lovely rhymes capture a young girl's feelings about the sea and her father's long, dangerous voyages.
by Susan Lendroth
Illustrator: Raul Allen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Lovely rhymes capture a young girl's feelings about the sea and her father's long, dangerous voyages.
One Boy
written and ill. by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Acounting book full of surprises with bright, child-like art and clever word play.
written and ill. by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Acounting book full of surprises with bright, child-like art and clever word play.
One Hen
by Katie Smith Milway
Illustrator: Eugenie Fernandes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The enterprise of a small boy in Ghana flourishes. Acrylic folk art.
by Katie Smith Milway
Illustrator: Eugenie Fernandes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The enterprise of a small boy in Ghana flourishes. Acrylic folk art.
Owney
by Mona Kerby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The amazing travels of the Albany Post Office mascot in the 1890s are inspired by actual events. Colorful watercolors.
by Mona Kerby
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The amazing travels of the Albany Post Office mascot in the 1890s are inspired by actual events. Colorful watercolors.
Princess Grace
by Mary Hoffman
Illustrator: Cornelius Van Wright
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Grace learns that there are many kinds of princesses as she tries to decide how to compete to be in the school parade. Soft watercolor illustrations.
by Mary Hoffman
Illustrator: Cornelius Van Wright
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Grace learns that there are many kinds of princesses as she tries to decide how to compete to be in the school parade. Soft watercolor illustrations.
Priscilla and the Hollyhocks
by Anne Broyles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A young girl on a southern plantation is sold and then sold again to a Cherokee family. After marching on the Trail of Tears, a kind white man sets her free.
by Anne Broyles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A young girl on a southern plantation is sold and then sold again to a Cherokee family. After marching on the Trail of Tears, a kind white man sets her free.
Private Joel and the Sewell Mountain Seder
by Bryna J. Fireside
Illustrator: Shawn Costello
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A Jewish Union soldier and three freed slaves plan a seder meal to celebrate Passover, the Festival of Freedom. Based on a true story.
by Bryna J. Fireside
Illustrator: Shawn Costello
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A Jewish Union soldier and three freed slaves plan a seder meal to celebrate Passover, the Festival of Freedom. Based on a true story.
Puppy Power
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Steve Bjorkman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Third grader Fran works on controlling her own bossy behavior while teaching her oversized Newfoundland puppy, Hercules, to manage his.
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Steve Bjorkman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Third grader Fran works on controlling her own bossy behavior while teaching her oversized Newfoundland puppy, Hercules, to manage his.
Queen of Halloween
written and ill. by Mary Engelbreit
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
While trick-or-treating, Ann and Michael learn that it takes courage to admit that you are a bit scared. Humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Mary Engelbreit
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
While trick-or-treating, Ann and Michael learn that it takes courage to admit that you are a bit scared. Humorous illustrations.
Quinito, Day and Night/ Quinito, día y noche
by Ina Cumpiano
Illustrator: José Ramírez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Spend a day with Quinito and learn about opposites--in English and Spanish. Vibrant, colorful illustrations.
by Ina Cumpiano
Illustrator: José Ramírez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Spend a day with Quinito and learn about opposites--in English and Spanish. Vibrant, colorful illustrations.
Riding to Washington
by Gwenyth Swain
Illustrator: David Geister
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
An historic trip to witness Martin Luther King's famous speech teaches Janie worthwhile lessons about the world and her personal values.
by Gwenyth Swain
Illustrator: David Geister
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
An historic trip to witness Martin Luther King's famous speech teaches Janie worthwhile lessons about the world and her personal values.
Silent Music
written and ill. by James Rumford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Ali endures the Iraqi War by mastering calligraphy. Mixed-media illustrations echo desert colors with Arabic writing flowing through them.
written and ill. by James Rumford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Ali endures the Iraqi War by mastering calligraphy. Mixed-media illustrations echo desert colors with Arabic writing flowing through them.
Snake and Lizard
by Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Gavin Bishop
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two desert creatures overcome their differences and some humorous misadventures to become inseparable friends and help others.
by Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Gavin Bishop
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two desert creatures overcome their differences and some humorous misadventures to become inseparable friends and help others.
Snow Surprise
by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Joan makes a surprise for her brother, but some animals have one for her, too.
by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Joan makes a surprise for her brother, but some animals have one for her, too.
Spuds
by Karen Hesse
Illustrator: Wendy Watson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Three siblings are in for a big surprise when they gather potatoes from a farmer's field. Colored ink, gouache and watercolor illustations.
by Karen Hesse
Illustrator: Wendy Watson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Three siblings are in for a big surprise when they gather potatoes from a farmer's field. Colored ink, gouache and watercolor illustations.
Stanley and the Class Pet
written and ill. by Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Against his better judgment, Stanley lets the class bird out of his cage. Now he must face the consequences. Expressive pencil, ink and acrylic illustrations.
written and ill. by Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Against his better judgment, Stanley lets the class bird out of his cage. Now he must face the consequences. Expressive pencil, ink and acrylic illustrations.
Stella, Unleashed
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Adopted family dog describes her view of the world in rhyme. Playful acrylic illustrations.
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Adopted family dog describes her view of the world in rhyme. Playful acrylic illustrations.
Stinky
written and ill. by Eleanor Davis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
In this graphic format reader, monster Stinky plots hilarious ways to get rid of the kid who enters his swamp.
written and ill. by Eleanor Davis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
In this graphic format reader, monster Stinky plots hilarious ways to get rid of the kid who enters his swamp.