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 Cheese
by Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A cumulative adaptation of “The Farmer in the Dell” is sparked by silly watercolors.

The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County
by Janice N. Harrington
Illustrator: Shelley Jackson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Living on a farm with her grandmother, a young African-American girl sets out to catch Miss Hen until she realizes the chicken has a secret. Exuberant collages.

The Elves and the Shoemaker
retold by John Cech
Illustrator: Kirill Chelushkin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A faithful retelling of the classic fairy tale of the struggling shoemaker who receives magical help. Delicate, whimsical illustrations.

The Escape of Oney Judge
written and ill. by Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A slave escapes the household of President and Margtha Washington to live as a free woman. Expressive watercolors.

The Jewel Box Ballerinas
by Monique de Varennes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A lonely rich woman buys an enchanted music box and learns the power of love. Humorous, colorful acrylic and crayon illustrations.

The John Hancock Club
by Louise Borden
Illustrator: Adam Gustavson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
As Sean and his third grade classmates master cursive handwriting, they also learn about an important founding father.

The Luck of the Irish
by Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mike Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Can Katie and her teacher both be right about shamrocks?

The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster
by A. W. Flaherty
Illustrator: Scott Magoon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A small worm grows larger and larger feasting on cast off food. Pen and digital color illustrations.

The Orange Shoes
by Trinka Hakes Noble
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A young girl uses her artisitc talent and ingenuity to overcome the cruelty of classmates and to help her school.

The Pen That Pa Built
by David Edwards
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
From shearing to weaving--the process of creating a wool blanket detailed in a cumulative rhyme. Colorful folk-type illustrations.

The Perfect Gift
written and ill. by Rohan Henry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Leo Rabbit finds the perfect gift for his best friend in a most unexpected place. Simple black-and-white line drawings.

The Princess And The Pea
written and ill. by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
The classic tale about testing the princess is set in Africa and illustrated with oils on patterned paper.

The Real Story of Stone Soup
by Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrator: Stéphane Jorisch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Set in China, a fanciful take on the traditional story of creating a delicious dish out of local ingredients.

There Is a Bird on Your Head!
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
See: I am Invited to a Party

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy
written and ill. by Tedd Arnold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Fly Guy returns, and this time he runs into a fly's worst nightmare: a swallowing old lady!

The Rich Man and the Parrot
retold by Suzan Nadimi
Illustrator: Ande Cook
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
In this retelling of a thirteenth century Persian folktale, a parrot tricks a wealthy merchant.

The Story of Giraffe
conceived and ill. by Guido Pigni
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
The giraffe's quest to find a mate to board Noah's Ark meets with success. Simple, pastel illustrations.

The Talented Clementine
by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
In a series of hilarious mishaps, an irrepressible girl discovers her value to the school talent show.

The Tale of Pale Male
written and ill. by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A pair of red-tailed hawks come into conflict with Manhattan apartment dwellers. Enhancing, colorful illustrations. Based on a true episode.

The Tale of Pip and Squeak
written and ill. by Kate Duke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Pip paints, Squeak sings and each drives the other nuts. Can the mouse brothers learn to live together? Cheerful, detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations.

The Top Job
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Changing a light bulb is sometimes more dangerous than it sounds. Amusing illustrations.

The Wicked Big Toddlah
written and ill. by Kevin Hawkes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
This young Mainer is one big baby! Hilarious and clever illustrations.

The Witch's Child
by Arthur Yorinks
Illustrator: Jos. A. Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A horrible witch creates a child from scraps, but can't bring her to life. Colorful, eerie illlustrations.

The Woodcutter's Gift / El Regalo del Lenador
by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator: Elaine Jerome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A zoo of colorful, carved animals in a small town is coveted by a museum in a big city.

To Catch a Burglar
by Mary Casanova
Illustrator: Omar Rayyan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
The town dogs band together to catch a dangerous criminal. Clever dialogue, with charcoal illustrations.