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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The White Nights of Ramadan
by Maha Addasi
Illustrator: Ned Gannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Contemporary Kuwaiti children enjoy dressing up, collecting treats and giving charity to celebrate the “white nights” of the Muslim fast month. Vibrant oil paintings.
by Maha Addasi
Illustrator: Ned Gannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Contemporary Kuwaiti children enjoy dressing up, collecting treats and giving charity to celebrate the “white nights” of the Muslim fast month. Vibrant oil paintings.
The Worry Tree
by Marianne Musgrove
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A discovery behind the wallpaper in her room helps Juliet solve her problems.
by Marianne Musgrove
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A discovery behind the wallpaper in her room helps Juliet solve her problems.
Titanicat
by Marty Crisp
Illustrator: Robert Papp
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Based on a first-peson account of the fatal voyage, a cat saves the life of her young Irish caretaker. Richly colored illustrations.
by Marty Crisp
Illustrator: Robert Papp
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Based on a first-peson account of the fatal voyage, a cat saves the life of her young Irish caretaker. Richly colored illustrations.
To the Big Top
by Jill Esbaum
Illustrator: David Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When the circus comes to town, two boys join in the fun and learn about friendship. Lively illustrations.
by Jill Esbaum
Illustrator: David Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When the circus comes to town, two boys join in the fun and learn about friendship. Lively illustrations.
Toy Dance Party
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Paul Zelinsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When your Girl is growing up, it's sometimes hard being her toy, but Stingray, Lumphy and Plastic continue having fun together. Expressive, detailed illustations.
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Paul Zelinsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When your Girl is growing up, it's sometimes hard being her toy, but Stingray, Lumphy and Plastic continue having fun together. Expressive, detailed illustations.
Trainspot
written and ill. by Barbara Lehman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A girl steps off a train into a magic world and helps the people who ultimately return the favor. Wordless book with watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations.
written and ill. by Barbara Lehman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A girl steps off a train into a magic world and helps the people who ultimately return the favor. Wordless book with watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations.
Tuko and the Birds
by Shirley Climo
Illustrator: Francisco X. Mora
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When the gecko cries so loudly that the birds cannot sleep, they try to trick him into moving away.
by Shirley Climo
Illustrator: Francisco X. Mora
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
When the gecko cries so loudly that the birds cannot sleep, they try to trick him into moving away.
Twenty Heartbeats
by Dennis Haseley
Illustrator: Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A great painter of horses is commissioned to capture the beauty of a wealthy man's horse. Muted collage illustrations.
by Dennis Haseley
Illustrator: Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A great painter of horses is commissioned to capture the beauty of a wealthy man's horse. Muted collage illustrations.
Two Bobbies
by Kirby Larson
Illustrator: Jean Cassels
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two abandoned animals help each other through a natural disaster and inspire people. Based on a true story of friendship.
by Kirby Larson
Illustrator: Jean Cassels
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Two abandoned animals help each other through a natural disaster and inspire people. Based on a true story of friendship.
Uncle Monarch and the Day of the Dead
by Judy Goldman
Illustrator: René King Moreno
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Lupita must come to terms with the death of the uncle with whom she celebrated the annual return of the monarch butterflies. Soft, colored pencil illustrations.
by Judy Goldman
Illustrator: René King Moreno
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Lupita must come to terms with the death of the uncle with whom she celebrated the annual return of the monarch butterflies. Soft, colored pencil illustrations.
Uncle Pirate
by Douglas Rees
Illustrator: Tony Auth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Wilson, a bullied fourth grader, enjoys helping his long-lost pirate uncle shape up his chaotic school, pirate style!
by Douglas Rees
Illustrator: Tony Auth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Wilson, a bullied fourth grader, enjoys helping his long-lost pirate uncle shape up his chaotic school, pirate style!
Way Up and Over Everything
by Alice McGill
Illustrator: Judy Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Five Africans escape the horrors of slavery by disappearing into air. Graceful watercolors capture the human desire for freedom.
by Alice McGill
Illustrator: Judy Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Five Africans escape the horrors of slavery by disappearing into air. Graceful watercolors capture the human desire for freedom.
We're Off To Look For Aliens
written and ill. by Colin McNaughton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A book within a book describes looking for aliens.
written and ill. by Colin McNaughton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
A book within a book describes looking for aliens.
What's That, Mittens?
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Mittens is bored until he hears a noise. Bright watercolors with simple repetitive text.
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Mittens is bored until he hears a noise. Bright watercolors with simple repetitive text.
What To Do About Alice?
by Barbara Kerley
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Alice Roosevelt manages to be a lively and unconventional spirit despite being President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter. Author's notes. Clever digital illustrations.
by Barbara Kerley
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Alice Roosevelt manages to be a lively and unconventional spirit despite being President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter. Author's notes. Clever digital illustrations.
Yoon and the Jade Bracelet
by Helen Recorvits
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Yoon's birthday gifts are not what she hoped for but lead to just what she wants. Expressive oil paintings.
by Helen Recorvits
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Yoon's birthday gifts are not what she hoped for but lead to just what she wants. Expressive oil paintings.
Yuki
by Gloria Whelan
Illustrator: Yan Nascimbene
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Yuki, the young daughter of a Japanese governor, comments on her journey to Edo in haiku. Watercolor paintings evoke ancient Japan.
by Gloria Whelan
Illustrator: Yan Nascimbene
Ages: 6+
Published: 2008
Yuki, the young daughter of a Japanese governor, comments on her journey to Edo in haiku. Watercolor paintings evoke ancient Japan.
17 Things I'm Not Allowed to do Anymore
by Jenny Offill
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Glue, paste, lies and pranks: a little girl has lots of ideas that get her in trouble. Amusing pen, ink and digitally produced illustrations.
by Jenny Offill
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Glue, paste, lies and pranks: a little girl has lots of ideas that get her in trouble. Amusing pen, ink and digitally produced illustrations.
Abracadabra!
written and ill. by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Mole is very disappointed with a magician's tricks until mouse shows him the magic that surrounds them everyday. Charming small charcoal and gouache illustrations.
written and ill. by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Mole is very disappointed with a magician's tricks until mouse shows him the magic that surrounds them everyday. Charming small charcoal and gouache illustrations.
Always Come Home to Me
written and ill. by Belle Yang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Young twins living in China try to retrieve their beloved doves who were given to their uncle. Bright, gouache illustrations.
written and ill. by Belle Yang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Young twins living in China try to retrieve their beloved doves who were given to their uncle. Bright, gouache illustrations.
And What Comes After a Thousand?
written and ill. by Anette Bley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Lisa discovers that her old friend lives on in the memories of all they shared. Dramatic, vibrantly colored illustrations.
written and ill. by Anette Bley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Lisa discovers that her old friend lives on in the memories of all they shared. Dramatic, vibrantly colored illustrations.
Angelina's Island
written and ill. by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
During Brooklyn's West African Day Parade, Angelina learns that home is where the heart is. Colorful ode to Jamaica.
written and ill. by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
During Brooklyn's West African Day Parade, Angelina learns that home is where the heart is. Colorful ode to Jamaica.
A Night of Tamales and Roses
by Joanna H. Kraus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A little flower girl gets the jitters, but is forgiven by her sister, the bride. Realistic oil on canvas illustrations.
by Joanna H. Kraus
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A little flower girl gets the jitters, but is forgiven by her sister, the bride. Realistic oil on canvas illustrations.
Anne Hutchinson's Way
by Jeannine Atkins
Illustrator: Michael Dooling
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
In seventeenth century Massachusetts, a brave woman refuses to obey the Puritan minister. Strong, realistic oil paintings.
by Jeannine Atkins
Illustrator: Michael Dooling
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
In seventeenth century Massachusetts, a brave woman refuses to obey the Puritan minister. Strong, realistic oil paintings.
A Picture for Marc
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Matthew Trueman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A fictionalized glimpse of artist Marc Chagall whose Russian parents are reluctant to accept his dream of becoming an artist.
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Matthew Trueman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A fictionalized glimpse of artist Marc Chagall whose Russian parents are reluctant to accept his dream of becoming an artist.