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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Swimming with Sharks
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
Tadpole Rex
written and ill. by Kurt Cyrus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Bold, colorful scratchboard illustrations follow a tadpole who grows into a frog during the days of dinosaurs.
written and ill. by Kurt Cyrus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Bold, colorful scratchboard illustrations follow a tadpole who grows into a frog during the days of dinosaurs.
That Book Woman
by Heather Henson
Illustrator: David Small
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Based on fact, a story of the impact of the WPA Librarians on families in remote areas of Appalachia. Expressive ink and watercolor drawings.
by Heather Henson
Illustrator: David Small
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Based on fact, a story of the impact of the WPA Librarians on families in remote areas of Appalachia. Expressive ink and watercolor drawings.
The 3 Bears and Goldilocks
by Margaret Willey
Illustrator: Heather M. Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Changing perspectives and derailed illustrations add a new dimension and much humor to this classic tale.
by Margaret Willey
Illustrator: Heather M. Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Changing perspectives and derailed illustrations add a new dimension and much humor to this classic tale.
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great
by Gerald Morris
Illustrator: Aaron Renier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Humorous and light-hearted account of the deeds of King Arthur's bravest knight brings Camelot alive for young readers.
by Gerald Morris
Illustrator: Aaron Renier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Humorous and light-hearted account of the deeds of King Arthur's bravest knight brings Camelot alive for young readers.
Thea's Tree
by Alison Jackson
Illustrator: Janet Pedersen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Thea plants seeds which grow into a tree unidentifiable even to experts. Humorous illustrations.
by Alison Jackson
Illustrator: Janet Pedersen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Thea plants seeds which grow into a tree unidentifiable even to experts. Humorous illustrations.
The Best Gift of All
by Jonathan Emmett
Illustrator: Vanessa Cabban
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Mole uses his talent and heart to bring a most special gift to his friend Rabbit.
by Jonathan Emmett
Illustrator: Vanessa Cabban
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Mole uses his talent and heart to bring a most special gift to his friend Rabbit.
The Best Story
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When a young girl enters a story writer's contest, she solicits ideas, but discovers that the best ones are her own. Humorous watercolor and ink illustrations.
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When a young girl enters a story writer's contest, she solicits ideas, but discovers that the best ones are her own. Humorous watercolor and ink illustrations.
The Butter Man
by Elizabeth Alalou
Illustrator: Julie Klear Essakalli
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Hungry for dinner, a girl is transported by her father's tale of his own childhood hunger during a drought.
by Elizabeth Alalou
Illustrator: Julie Klear Essakalli
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Hungry for dinner, a girl is transported by her father's tale of his own childhood hunger during a drought.
The Chicken of the Family
by Mary Amato
Illustrator: Delphine Durand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Her sisters' taunts backfire when Henrietta is actually convinced she's not a girl, but a chicken. Funny, stylized paintings.
by Mary Amato
Illustrator: Delphine Durand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Her sisters' taunts backfire when Henrietta is actually convinced she's not a girl, but a chicken. Funny, stylized paintings.
The Day We Danced in Underpants
by Sarah Wilson
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A rollicking day is spent with the King of France when he was a boy. His father and three aunts join in to get rid of their funny clothes. Pen and ink, watercolor and collage illustrations.
by Sarah Wilson
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A rollicking day is spent with the King of France when he was a boy. His father and three aunts join in to get rid of their funny clothes. Pen and ink, watercolor and collage illustrations.
The Elephant Quilt
by Susan Lowell
Illustrator: Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Lily Rose and her brother cross the country in 1859. Along the way Lily incorporates their adventures into a special memory quilt.
by Susan Lowell
Illustrator: Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Lily Rose and her brother cross the country in 1859. Along the way Lily incorporates their adventures into a special memory quilt.
The Fisherman and the Turtle
adapted by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Martha Aviles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A retelling of the Grimm Tale about a fisherman and his greedy wife is set in the land of the Aztecs. Colorful acrylic and watercolor illustrations.
adapted by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Martha Aviles
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A retelling of the Grimm Tale about a fisherman and his greedy wife is set in the land of the Aztecs. Colorful acrylic and watercolor illustrations.
The Ghost Catcher
by Martha Hamilton
Illustrator: Kristen Balouch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
In this Bengali tale, a barber, whose wife presses him to earn money, finds a solution by tricking a ghost. Simple, colorful illustrations.
by Martha Hamilton
Illustrator: Kristen Balouch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
In this Bengali tale, a barber, whose wife presses him to earn money, finds a solution by tricking a ghost. Simple, colorful illustrations.
The Green Ghost
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Peter Ferguson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A ghost not only saves Kaye's family's lives on Christmas eve, but also leaves clues in solving an unfinished task.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Peter Ferguson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A ghost not only saves Kaye's family's lives on Christmas eve, but also leaves clues in solving an unfinished task.
The House of Joyful Living
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A young girl loves New York aparment life, but becomes jealous when the new baby receives the attention she enjoys. Multi-cultural color separations.
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A young girl loves New York aparment life, but becomes jealous when the new baby receives the attention she enjoys. Multi-cultural color separations.
The King Has Goat Ears
by Katarina Jovanovic
Illustrator: Phillipe Beha
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A plucky apprentice succeeds in solving the king's problem when all the other barbers in the kingdom have failed. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations.
by Katarina Jovanovic
Illustrator: Phillipe Beha
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A plucky apprentice succeeds in solving the king's problem when all the other barbers in the kingdom have failed. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations.
The Last Gold Diggers
written and ill. by Harry Horse
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A series of humorous letters tell of Grandfather's adventures with his opinionated dog in Australia while searching for his long lost brother.
written and ill. by Harry Horse
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A series of humorous letters tell of Grandfather's adventures with his opinionated dog in Australia while searching for his long lost brother.
The Magic Pillow
written and ill. by Demi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A poor young boy years for wealth and power until a magician gives him a pillow that reveals what would happen if his wishes came true. Chinese paints and ink with pen and ink.
written and ill. by Demi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A poor young boy years for wealth and power until a magician gives him a pillow that reveals what would happen if his wishes came true. Chinese paints and ink with pen and ink.
The Moon Over Star
by Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Walking from the family farm, Mae is inspired by the 1969 moon landing by Apollo astronauts and shares her dreams with a loving grandfather. Magnificent ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Walking from the family farm, Mae is inspired by the 1969 moon landing by Apollo astronauts and shares her dreams with a loving grandfather. Magnificent ink and watercolor illustrations.
The Pout-Pout Fish
by Deborah Diesen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Brightly colored ocean creatures and playful rhymes offer advice meant to change the glum expression of their friend.
by Deborah Diesen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Brightly colored ocean creatures and playful rhymes offer advice meant to change the glum expression of their friend.
The Scrambled States of America Talent Show
written and ill. by Laurie Keller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The scrambled states are back and they've put their goofy, wacky talents together in an unforgettable show.
written and ill. by Laurie Keller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
The scrambled states are back and they've put their goofy, wacky talents together in an unforgettable show.
The Sea Serpent and Me
by Dashka Slater
Illustrator: Catia Chien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A girl cares for an unusual pet and comes to love the ocean and to accept a loss. Whimsical watercolors.
by Dashka Slater
Illustrator: Catia Chien
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A girl cares for an unusual pet and comes to love the ocean and to accept a loss. Whimsical watercolors.
The Story Blanket
by Ferida Wolff
Illustrator: Elena Odriozola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A story-tellers blanket becomes the source for much needed clothing, but the stories continue. Colorful watercolors.
by Ferida Wolff
Illustrator: Elena Odriozola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A story-tellers blanket becomes the source for much needed clothing, but the stories continue. Colorful watercolors.
The Umbrella Queen
by Shirim Yim Bridges
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Little Noot, a young Thai girl, dutifully paints umbrellas, but in her spare time, she follows her heart. Linoleum print illustrations.
by Shirim Yim Bridges
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Little Noot, a young Thai girl, dutifully paints umbrellas, but in her spare time, she follows her heart. Linoleum print illustrations.