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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Beach
written and ill. by Elisha Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Building castles, collecting shells, jumping into the waves--the many activities at the sandy beach. Impressionistic watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and ill. by Elisha Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Building castles, collecting shells, jumping into the waves--the many activities at the sandy beach. Impressionistic watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Bessie Smith and the Night Riders
by Sue Stauffacher
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
In 1927, the famous blues singer faces down a group of Klansmen. Based on a true incident. Strong acrylic paintings.
by Sue Stauffacher
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
In 1927, the famous blues singer faces down a group of Klansmen. Based on a true incident. Strong acrylic paintings.
Blackbeard's Last Fight
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Leonard Everett Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Young Jeremy Hobbs accompanies a renegade lieutenant to challenge the famous pirate. Elaborate, colorful paintings.
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Leonard Everett Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Young Jeremy Hobbs accompanies a renegade lieutenant to challenge the famous pirate. Elaborate, colorful paintings.
Boo's Dinosaur
by Betsy Byars
Illustrator: Erik Brooks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Boo loves her dinosaur, but big brother Sammy is not always a fan. Early chapter book. Black-and-white, amusing illustrations.
by Betsy Byars
Illustrator: Erik Brooks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Boo loves her dinosaur, but big brother Sammy is not always a fan. Early chapter book. Black-and-white, amusing illustrations.
Brother Juniper
by Diane Gibfried
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The other brothers feel that Brother Juniper of Assisi is too kind-until they see the results of his generosity. Evocative watercolors.
by Diane Gibfried
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The other brothers feel that Brother Juniper of Assisi is too kind-until they see the results of his generosity. Evocative watercolors.
Cal and the Amazing Anti-Gravity Machine
by Richard Hamilton
Illustrator: Sam Hearn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Ten-year-old Cal and his talking dog solve the mystery of their neighbor's weird behavior.
by Richard Hamilton
Illustrator: Sam Hearn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Ten-year-old Cal and his talking dog solve the mystery of their neighbor's weird behavior.
Ch'at Tó Yinílo'; Frog Brings Rain
by Patricia Hruby Powell
Illustrator: Kendrick Benally
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A Navajo tale that explains how fire was quenched by frog. Art in Navajo style.
by Patricia Hruby Powell
Illustrator: Kendrick Benally
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A Navajo tale that explains how fire was quenched by frog. Art in Navajo style.
Claire and the Unicorn happy ever after
by B. G. Hennessy
Illustrator: Susan Mitchell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Claire and her unicorn go on a dreamland quest to learn what makes someone happy forever. Colorful watercolors.
by B. G. Hennessy
Illustrator: Susan Mitchell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Claire and her unicorn go on a dreamland quest to learn what makes someone happy forever. Colorful watercolors.
Clementine
by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Clementine is in a great deal of trouble, but her offbeat family is very supportive
by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Clementine is in a great deal of trouble, but her offbeat family is very supportive
Cork & Fuzz: Short and Tall
by Dori Chaconas
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Two unlikely friends find reasons to stay friends despite their differences.
by Dori Chaconas
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Two unlikely friends find reasons to stay friends despite their differences.
Cowboy Slim
by Julie Danneberg
Illustrator: Margot Apple
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Cowboy Slim can't rope, whip or ride, but he saves the herd--and his cowboy friends learn the power of poetry.
by Julie Danneberg
Illustrator: Margot Apple
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Cowboy Slim can't rope, whip or ride, but he saves the herd--and his cowboy friends learn the power of poetry.
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
by Erica Silverman
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The funny adventures of Kate and her horse Cocoa on a cattle ranch.
by Erica Silverman
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The funny adventures of Kate and her horse Cocoa on a cattle ranch.
Crossing Bok Chitto
by Tim Tingle
Illustrator: Jeanne Rorex Bridges
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A Choctaw girl helps a slave family escape by leading them over the Bok Chitto River in Mississippi. Powerful acrylics.
by Tim Tingle
Illustrator: Jeanne Rorex Bridges
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A Choctaw girl helps a slave family escape by leading them over the Bok Chitto River in Mississippi. Powerful acrylics.
Dick Whittington and His Cat
retold by Margaret Hodges
Illustrator: Melisande Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A wonderful retelling of the legend of the boy who went to London to seek his fortune. Ink and gouache illustrations.
retold by Margaret Hodges
Illustrator: Melisande Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A wonderful retelling of the legend of the boy who went to London to seek his fortune. Ink and gouache illustrations.
Digory
by Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Ian Beck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Digory would rather enjoy nature quietly, but he is given the name “dragon slayer” and has to live up to it.
by Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Ian Beck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Digory would rather enjoy nature quietly, but he is given the name “dragon slayer” and has to live up to it.
Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Haunted House
written and ill. by Doug Cushman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
What does one do when ghosts think their house is haunted? Call Dirk Bones, skeleton reporter!
written and ill. by Doug Cushman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
What does one do when ghosts think their house is haunted? Call Dirk Bones, skeleton reporter!
Dog Den Mystery
by Darrel & Sally Odgers
Illustrator: Janine Dawson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
See: The Phantom Mudder
by Darrel & Sally Odgers
Illustrator: Janine Dawson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
See: The Phantom Mudder
Drooling and Dangerous
by Mary Amato
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Orville and Wilbur have a talent for creating scenes. Humorous pencil illustrations.
by Mary Amato
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Orville and Wilbur have a talent for creating scenes. Humorous pencil illustrations.
Edwina: The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
An engaging dinosaur confounds all the evidence about her existence.
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
An engaging dinosaur confounds all the evidence about her existence.
Epossumondas Saves the Day
by Coleen Salley
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Epossumondas' guests disappear while arranging for the birthday biscuits. Hilarious mixed media illustrations.
by Coleen Salley
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Epossumondas' guests disappear while arranging for the birthday biscuits. Hilarious mixed media illustrations.
Fergus and the Night-Demon
by Jim Murphy
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Lazy Fergus uses his wits to outsmart the Night-Demon who is after him. Humorous and suspenseful.
by Jim Murphy
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Lazy Fergus uses his wits to outsmart the Night-Demon who is after him. Humorous and suspenseful.
Firefighters in the Dark
by Dashka Slater
Illustrator: Nicoletta Ceccoli
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The sirens stimulate a child's fantasy to be part of the firefighters' world. Acrylic and pastel illustrations.
by Dashka Slater
Illustrator: Nicoletta Ceccoli
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The sirens stimulate a child's fantasy to be part of the firefighters' world. Acrylic and pastel illustrations.
First Grade Stinks!
by Mary Ann Rodman
Illustrator: Beth Spiegel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Things are different when Haley enters first grade. Will she ever adjust? Humorous watercolor illustrations.
by Mary Ann Rodman
Illustrator: Beth Spiegel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Things are different when Haley enters first grade. Will she ever adjust? Humorous watercolor illustrations.
Fish for the Grand Lady
written and ill. by Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Can Derrick and Colby catch enough fish for grandmother to cook for dinner? Glossary for Trinidad dialect. Vibrant oil paintings.
written and ill. by Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Can Derrick and Colby catch enough fish for grandmother to cook for dinner? Glossary for Trinidad dialect. Vibrant oil paintings.
Flat Stanley
by Jeff Brown
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Crushed by a bulletin board, Stanley is flat and can be mailed to all kinds of places. Newly illustrated in color and with a larger format.
by Jeff Brown
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Crushed by a bulletin board, Stanley is flat and can be mailed to all kinds of places. Newly illustrated in color and with a larger format.