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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Today I Will Fly!
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
See: I am Invited to a Party
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
See: I am Invited to a Party
Trouble According to Humphrey
by Betty G. Birney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
When Room 26 created a model town, who knew that it would lead to trouble for Humphrey the hamster?
by Betty G. Birney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
When Room 26 created a model town, who knew that it would lead to trouble for Humphrey the hamster?
Two Sticks
by Orel Protopopescu
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Maybelle just has to drum with her “tried and trusty true sticks.” A humorous, rhyming bayou adventure.
by Orel Protopopescu
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Maybelle just has to drum with her “tried and trusty true sticks.” A humorous, rhyming bayou adventure.
Vinnie and Abraham
by Dawn FitzGerald
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Vinnie Ream fights for her dream and becomes the sculptor of the statue of Abraham Lincoln which stands in the Capitol rotunda.
by Dawn FitzGerald
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Vinnie Ream fights for her dream and becomes the sculptor of the statue of Abraham Lincoln which stands in the Capitol rotunda.
Waking Up Wendell
by April Stevens
Illustrator: Tad Hills
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
One little bird at #1 Fish Street triggers a domino effect that wakes up each house in the morning. Humorous illustrations.
by April Stevens
Illustrator: Tad Hills
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
One little bird at #1 Fish Street triggers a domino effect that wakes up each house in the morning. Humorous illustrations.
When Dinosaurs Came with Everything
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: David Small
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Enormous reptiles turn out to be friends and helpers when they follow a small boy home. Joyful watercolor and ink illustrations.
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: David Small
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Enormous reptiles turn out to be friends and helpers when they follow a small boy home. Joyful watercolor and ink illustrations.
When I Met the Wolf Girls
by Deborah Noyes
Illustrator: August Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
In her Indian orphanage in the 1920s, seven-year-old Bulu writes about the behavior of two girls who have been raised in the jungle by wolves. Acrylic paintings.
by Deborah Noyes
Illustrator: August Hall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
In her Indian orphanage in the 1920s, seven-year-old Bulu writes about the behavior of two girls who have been raised in the jungle by wolves. Acrylic paintings.
When the Shadbush Blooms
by Carla Messinger
Illustrator: David Kanietakeron Fadden
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
On side-by-side pages indicating past and present, the Lenape cycle of seasons is described by Native Americans. Expressive acrylic paintings.
by Carla Messinger
Illustrator: David Kanietakeron Fadden
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
On side-by-side pages indicating past and present, the Lenape cycle of seasons is described by Native Americans. Expressive acrylic paintings.
White Owl, Barn Owl
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Watercolors and pastels illustrate this adventure shared by a little girl and her grandfather.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Watercolors and pastels illustrate this adventure shared by a little girl and her grandfather.
Whopper Cake
by Karma Wilson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Grandpa's love for cooking is as tremendous as the cake he makes for grandma. Exuberant ink and tempera illustrations.
by Karma Wilson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Grandpa's love for cooking is as tremendous as the cake he makes for grandma. Exuberant ink and tempera illustrations.
Wiggle and Waggle
by Caroline Arnold
Illustrator: Mary Peterson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Wiggle and Waggle have a wonderful wormy time wriggling through the garden and helping plants grow.
by Caroline Arnold
Illustrator: Mary Peterson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
Wiggle and Waggle have a wonderful wormy time wriggling through the garden and helping plants grow.
Wind Flyers
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A great-great uncle talks to his young nephew about his love of flight and his experiences as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II.
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
A great-great uncle talks to his young nephew about his love of flight and his experiences as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II.
Wolf! Wolf!
written and ill. by John Rocco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
When a Japanese boy cries “wolf!”an old wolf thinks he is being invited to lunch! An unusual adaptation with intriguing illustrations.
written and ill. by John Rocco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2007
When a Japanese boy cries “wolf!”an old wolf thinks he is being invited to lunch! An unusual adaptation with intriguing illustrations.
Abbie in Stitches
by Cynthia Cotten
Illustrator: Beth Peck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
In 1822 Abbie would rather read, but she must learn to stitch and make a sampler.
by Cynthia Cotten
Illustrator: Beth Peck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
In 1822 Abbie would rather read, but she must learn to stitch and make a sampler.
Adele & Simon
written and ill. by Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Little brother leaves a trail of lost possessions as sister guides him home. Pen, ink and watercolor illustrations of Paris.
written and ill. by Barbara McClintock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Little brother leaves a trail of lost possessions as sister guides him home. Pen, ink and watercolor illustrations of Paris.
All the Stars in the Sky
written and ill. by C.J. Taylor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A full-color page illustrates each legend about the sun, moon and stars.
written and ill. by C.J. Taylor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A full-color page illustrates each legend about the sun, moon and stars.
A Place Called Kindergarten
by Jessica Harper
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
When Tommy goes off to kindergarten, the farm animals worry that they won't be seeing him.
by Jessica Harper
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
When Tommy goes off to kindergarten, the farm animals worry that they won't be seeing him.
A Sack Full of Feathers
by Debbie Waldman
Illustrator: Cindy Revell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Yankel learns the harm done by the stories he loves to spread. A retelling of a Jewish folktale. Stylized acrylic illustrations.
by Debbie Waldman
Illustrator: Cindy Revell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Yankel learns the harm done by the stories he loves to spread. A retelling of a Jewish folktale. Stylized acrylic illustrations.
Away West
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
In 1879, a thirteen-year-old African-American boy travels to the West in search of a new life.
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
In 1879, a thirteen-year-old African-American boy travels to the West in search of a new life.
A Young Man's Dance
by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
Illustrator: Layne Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A young boy learns to accept the sadness and change that accompanies his beloved grandmother's aging and illness.
by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
Illustrator: Layne Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A young boy learns to accept the sadness and change that accompanies his beloved grandmother's aging and illness.
Babymouse
by Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrator: Matthew Holm
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Surf's up! Babymouse could be having such an awesome time - if only she didn't have to look after her little brother.
by Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrator: Matthew Holm
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Surf's up! Babymouse could be having such an awesome time - if only she didn't have to look after her little brother.
Backbeard and the Birthday Suit
written and ill. by Matthew McElligott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Will Backbeard become the object of ridicule or respect when he wears his new birthday suit? Humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Matthew McElligott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Will Backbeard become the object of ridicule or respect when he wears his new birthday suit? Humorous illustrations.
Bad Bear Detectives
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Jill Pinkwater
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Two polar bears accused of stealing muffins decide to find the real culprits. Playful illustrations.
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Jill Pinkwater
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Two polar bears accused of stealing muffins decide to find the real culprits. Playful illustrations.
Ballerino Nate
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Illustrator: R. W. Alley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Despite his brother's negative attitude, Nate, with his mother's support, is determined to become a ballet dancer. Charming expressive illustrations.
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Illustrator: R. W. Alley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Despite his brother's negative attitude, Nate, with his mother's support, is determined to become a ballet dancer. Charming expressive illustrations.
Bats at the Beach
written and ill. by Brian Lies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Whimsical rhymes and dark, detailed illustrations describe the antics and fun of bats at night.
written and ill. by Brian Lies
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Whimsical rhymes and dark, detailed illustrations describe the antics and fun of bats at night.