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 Six Fools
collected by Zora Neale Hurston
Illustrator: Ann Tanksley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A young man vows to marry his bride only after he finds three people more foolish than his family members. Brilliantly colored expressive illustrations.
collected by Zora Neale Hurston
Illustrator: Ann Tanksley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A young man vows to marry his bride only after he finds three people more foolish than his family members. Brilliantly colored expressive illustrations.
The Sloppy Copy Slipup
by DyAnne DiSalvo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Brian Higman, a fledgling guitarist and procrastinator, doesn't do a first draft assignment. His solution?
by DyAnne DiSalvo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Brian Higman, a fledgling guitarist and procrastinator, doesn't do a first draft assignment. His solution?
The Sly Sleuth and the Spots Mysteries
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Heather Maione
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Loving being a sleuth, Sly tackles three mysteries.
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Heather Maione
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Loving being a sleuth, Sly tackles three mysteries.
The Three Witches
collected by Zora Neale Hurston
Illustrator: Faith Ringgold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Two orphaned children use their wits to avoid being eaten by three hungry witches.
collected by Zora Neale Hurston
Illustrator: Faith Ringgold
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Two orphaned children use their wits to avoid being eaten by three hungry witches.
The Very Best Bed
written and ill. by Rebekah Raye
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A squirrel explores various places other animals sleep while searching for his own resting place. A gentle bedtime story. Pastel illustrations.
written and ill. by Rebekah Raye
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
A squirrel explores various places other animals sleep while searching for his own resting place. A gentle bedtime story. Pastel illustrations.
The World's Greatest Elephant
by Ralph Helfer
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The lifelong adventures of Bram and his elephant Modoc depict the power of friendship and loyalty. Interpretive watercolors.
by Ralph Helfer
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The lifelong adventures of Bram and his elephant Modoc depict the power of friendship and loyalty. Interpretive watercolors.
Three Names of Me
by Mary Cummings
Illustrator: Lin Wang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
By contemplating her three names, Ada forms a “whole” sense of herself.
by Mary Cummings
Illustrator: Lin Wang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
By contemplating her three names, Ada forms a “whole” sense of herself.
Tightrope Poppy the High-Wire Pig
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Sarah Dillard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Poppy worked hard to fulfill her dream to become a tightrope high-wire pig, despite many hurdles. Rhyming text and whimsical illustrations.
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Sarah Dillard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Poppy worked hard to fulfill her dream to become a tightrope high-wire pig, despite many hurdles. Rhyming text and whimsical illustrations.
True Friends
written and ill. by John Kilaka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Elephant learns a lesson when he steals sacks of grain from his friend, Rat. Humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by John Kilaka
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Elephant learns a lesson when he steals sacks of grain from his friend, Rat. Humorous illustrations.
Tuckerbean
by Jill Katz
Illustrator: Benton Mahan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
While his person is at school, Tuckerbean, the dog, dreams of great adventures. But is she really dreaming?
by Jill Katz
Illustrator: Benton Mahan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
While his person is at school, Tuckerbean, the dog, dreams of great adventures. But is she really dreaming?
Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding
by Lenore Look
Illustrator: Yumi Heo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The traditions of a Chinese wedding are artfully conveyed in this story of a little girl's jealousy of her favorite Uncle's new bride.
by Lenore Look
Illustrator: Yumi Heo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
The traditions of a Chinese wedding are artfully conveyed in this story of a little girl's jealousy of her favorite Uncle's new bride.
Whoosh Went the Wind!
by Sally Derby
Illustrator: Vincent Nguyen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Teacher doesn't believe her young student's far-fetched excuse for being late until she gets caught up by the wind herself. Acrylic and charcoal illustrations.
by Sally Derby
Illustrator: Vincent Nguyen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Teacher doesn't believe her young student's far-fetched excuse for being late until she gets caught up by the wind herself. Acrylic and charcoal illustrations.
Winnie at Her Best
by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrator: Alissa Imre Geis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Winnie struggles with feelings of jealousy and competition and ultimately self-acceptance as she tries to be “the best” at something.
by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrator: Alissa Imre Geis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2006
Winnie struggles with feelings of jealousy and competition and ultimately self-acceptance as she tries to be “the best” at something.
Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective
written and ill. by David Biedrzycki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A bevy of bugs with action and puns galore.
written and ill. by David Biedrzycki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A bevy of bugs with action and puns galore.
A Crash Course For Molly
written and ill. by Eva Eriksson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Why does Molly always crash into things when she rides her bike?
written and ill. by Eva Eriksson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Why does Molly always crash into things when she rides her bike?
A Doll for Navidades
by Esmeralda Santiago
Illustrator: Enrique O. Sanchez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
In rural Puerto Rico, Esmeralda asks for a baby doll for El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos. Richly colored acrylic paintings.
by Esmeralda Santiago
Illustrator: Enrique O. Sanchez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
In rural Puerto Rico, Esmeralda asks for a baby doll for El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos. Richly colored acrylic paintings.
Adventures of Cow
by Cow
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Cow's very silly observations bring him happily and safely home.
by Cow
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Cow's very silly observations bring him happily and safely home.
Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp
retold by Philip Pullman
Illustrator: Sophy Williams
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The tale of Aladdin, a tailor's son, a magic lamp, a wicked sorcerer and a beautiful princess. Beautifully retold and illustrated.
retold by Philip Pullman
Illustrator: Sophy Williams
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The tale of Aladdin, a tailor's son, a magic lamp, a wicked sorcerer and a beautiful princess. Beautifully retold and illustrated.
Amazing Gorillas!
by Sarah L. Thomson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
How these gentle plant eaters live, how they resemble all primates and why they are an endangered species.
by Sarah L. Thomson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
How these gentle plant eaters live, how they resemble all primates and why they are an endangered species.
Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle
by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Andy suffers in school from bullying by a girl, until his grandmother helps him gain confidence. Humorous illustrations.
by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Andy suffers in school from bullying by a girl, until his grandmother helps him gain confidence. Humorous illustrations.
Anyone Can Eat Squid!
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Illustrator: Marcy Ramsey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Sarah realizes her dream of becoming someone “special” when she devises a clever solution to someone else's problem. Chapter book with amusing ink and wash illustrations.
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Illustrator: Marcy Ramsey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Sarah realizes her dream of becoming someone “special” when she devises a clever solution to someone else's problem. Chapter book with amusing ink and wash illustrations.
A Pen Pal for Max
by Gloria Rand
Illustrator: Ted Rand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
An American penpal sends school supplies, games and clothing to her Chilean correspondent's class after an earthquake.
by Gloria Rand
Illustrator: Ted Rand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
An American penpal sends school supplies, games and clothing to her Chilean correspondent's class after an earthquake.
A Pipkin of Pepper
written and ill. by Helen Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Three friends making pumpkin soup go to the city to buy salt and one gets lost.
written and ill. by Helen Cooper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Three friends making pumpkin soup go to the city to buy salt and one gets lost.
A Play's the Thing
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
When Miss Brilliant's class prepares to perform for parents, Jose, the class grump, is given the teacher's role. Delightful cartoons.
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
When Miss Brilliant's class prepares to perform for parents, Jose, the class grump, is given the teacher's role. Delightful cartoons.
A Season for Mangoes
by Regina Hanson
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Sareen comes to terms with Nana's death during the “sit-up,” a celebration of life for the newly departed. Realistic oil paintings.
by Regina Hanson
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Sareen comes to terms with Nana's death during the “sit-up,” a celebration of life for the newly departed. Realistic oil paintings.