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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Beany and the Meany
by Susan Wojciechowski
Illustrator: Susanna Natti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Beany who hates science ends up with mean Kevin as her project partner for the science fair. Disaster?
by Susan Wojciechowski
Illustrator: Susanna Natti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Beany who hates science ends up with mean Kevin as her project partner for the science fair. Disaster?
Bebop Express
by H.L. Panahi
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
On a train from New York to New Orleans, jazz musicians strut their stuff with rhyming, sing-out-loud text. Intricate collages.
by H.L. Panahi
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
On a train from New York to New Orleans, jazz musicians strut their stuff with rhyming, sing-out-loud text. Intricate collages.
Belinda in Paris
written and ill. by Amy Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Belinda searches for new “pointe” shoes for her enormous feet before her Paris performance. Whimsical Paris scenes.
written and ill. by Amy Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Belinda searches for new “pointe” shoes for her enormous feet before her Paris performance. Whimsical Paris scenes.
Big Surprise in the Bug Tank
by Ruth Horowitz
Illustrator: Joan Holub
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The pair of hissing cockroaches from their entomologist mother's lab surprise Leo and his brother with multiple offspring.
by Ruth Horowitz
Illustrator: Joan Holub
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The pair of hissing cockroaches from their entomologist mother's lab surprise Leo and his brother with multiple offspring.
Billy and the Rebel
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The daily struggles of one family during the Battle of Gettysburg.
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The daily struggles of one family during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Cassie's Sweet Berry Pie
written and ill. by Karen B. Winnick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
When Union soldiers come, Cassie cleverly protects her family and their food stores.
written and ill. by Karen B. Winnick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
When Union soldiers come, Cassie cleverly protects her family and their food stores.
Chato Goes Cruisin'
by Gary Soto
Illustrator: Susan Guevara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two hip Chicano cats save the day when they aid a shipload of ailing dogs. Funny acrylics and black-and-white comic strips.
by Gary Soto
Illustrator: Susan Guevara
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two hip Chicano cats save the day when they aid a shipload of ailing dogs. Funny acrylics and black-and-white comic strips.
Circles of Hope
by Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrator: Linda Saport
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young Haitian boy's attempts to plant a seed in order to grow a mango tree in honor of his new baby sister. Charcoals and pastels.
by Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrator: Linda Saport
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young Haitian boy's attempts to plant a seed in order to grow a mango tree in honor of his new baby sister. Charcoals and pastels.
Common Sense and Fowls
by Jane Cutler
Illustrator: Lynne Barasch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two young children help an elderly neighbor whose pigeon-feeding makes her a local nuisance.
by Jane Cutler
Illustrator: Lynne Barasch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two young children help an elderly neighbor whose pigeon-feeding makes her a local nuisance.
Cool Cat, Hot Dog
written and ill. by Sandy Turner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A family cat and dog spar over whose breed is best but agree that they love each other. Cut paper and pencil collages.
written and ill. by Sandy Turner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A family cat and dog spar over whose breed is best but agree that they love each other. Cut paper and pencil collages.
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
by Erica Silverman
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A clever cowgirl knows just how to handle her horse. Four short stories with humorous colored drawings.
by Erica Silverman
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A clever cowgirl knows just how to handle her horse. Four short stories with humorous colored drawings.
Coyote Raid in Cactus Canyon
written and ill. by Jim Arnosky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Four young coyotes shatter the idyllic calm of the desert by harrassing other animals. Vivid watercolors.
written and ill. by Jim Arnosky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Four young coyotes shatter the idyllic calm of the desert by harrassing other animals. Vivid watercolors.
Cyril the Mandrill
written and ill. by Francesca Greco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
An unusual monkey, teased by the zoo animals for his strange appearance, is finally accepted when his unique features become an asset. Energetic humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Francesca Greco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
An unusual monkey, teased by the zoo animals for his strange appearance, is finally accepted when his unique features become an asset. Energetic humorous illustrations.
Doña Flor; A Tall Tale About A Giant Woman With A Great Big Heart
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: Raul Colo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A delightful tall tale with warm, lyrical language and illustrations. (English and Spanish.)
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: Raul Colo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A delightful tall tale with warm, lyrical language and illustrations. (English and Spanish.)
Flying Feet
by Anna Marlis Burgard
Illustrator: Leighanne Dees
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two skilled men compete to decide which one will become the village dancing master. Soft pastel illustrations.
by Anna Marlis Burgard
Illustrator: Leighanne Dees
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two skilled men compete to decide which one will become the village dancing master. Soft pastel illustrations.
Fresh Fish: A Tale from Tanzania
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
When Dog steals Chimpanzee's fish, the animals of the African village spring into action and catch the thief. Vivid, detailed watercolor illustrations.
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
When Dog steals Chimpanzee's fish, the animals of the African village spring into action and catch the thief. Vivid, detailed watercolor illustrations.
From Slave To Soldier
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young slave escapes and serves in the Union army.
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young slave escapes and serves in the Union army.
Game Day
by Barber
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
One of a set of twin boys on a football team, Ronde finally has his moment of glory, but undersands the value of teamwork. Luminous watercolors.
by Barber
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
One of a set of twin boys on a football team, Ronde finally has his moment of glory, but undersands the value of teamwork. Luminous watercolors.
Girl vs. Wave
by Scott Bass
Illustrator: Julie Collins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Ruby's dad introduces her to surfing in this clearly illustrated guide to the pleasures (and upsets) of this sport.
by Scott Bass
Illustrator: Julie Collins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Ruby's dad introduces her to surfing in this clearly illustrated guide to the pleasures (and upsets) of this sport.
Good Babies
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A witch swaps a troll and a human baby, causing havoc in their new families until her mischief backfires. Humorous acrylic and watercolor illustrations.
by
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A witch swaps a troll and a human baby, causing havoc in their new families until her mischief backfires. Humorous acrylic and watercolor illustrations.
Gooney Bird and the Room Mother
by Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Middy Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A girl with outrageous outfits and a sparkling vocabulary wins the lead in the Thanksgiving pageant after she agrees to locate a volunteer to be a helper.
by Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Middy Thomas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A girl with outrageous outfits and a sparkling vocabulary wins the lead in the Thanksgiving pageant after she agrees to locate a volunteer to be a helper.
Halfway Hank
by Joe Fallon
Illustrator: Jack E. Davis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Can Hank do things his own odd way and still play well with others? Amusingly written and illustrated.
by Joe Fallon
Illustrator: Jack E. Davis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Can Hank do things his own odd way and still play well with others? Amusingly written and illustrated.
Happy Feet
by Richard Michelson
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A boy and a famous Harlem dance club are born on the same night in 1926. Expressive watercolors.
by Richard Michelson
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A boy and a famous Harlem dance club are born on the same night in 1926. Expressive watercolors.
Hello, Freight Train!
by Marjorie Blain Parker
Illustrator: Bob Kolar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two dogs observe all the different and interesting cars of a freight train as it goes by.
by Marjorie Blain Parker
Illustrator: Bob Kolar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two dogs observe all the different and interesting cars of a freight train as it goes by.
Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life
by Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The tiny beloved son of two giants shows his parents the unique talents of the very small. Helpful illustrations.
by Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The tiny beloved son of two giants shows his parents the unique talents of the very small. Helpful illustrations.