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 Next-Door Dogs
by Colby Rodowsky
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Nine-year-old Sara confronts her deep fear of dogs when her dog-owning new neighbor needs her help.
by Colby Rodowsky
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Nine-year-old Sara confronts her deep fear of dogs when her dog-owning new neighbor needs her help.
The Pea Blossom
retold and ill. by Amy Lowry Poole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The smallest pea in a pod accepts fate and transforms the life of a girl. Includes a short Andersen biography and an explanation of the new Chinese setting.
retold and ill. by Amy Lowry Poole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The smallest pea in a pod accepts fate and transforms the life of a girl. Includes a short Andersen biography and an explanation of the new Chinese setting.
The Pesky Bird
by Marianne Markarian
Illustrator: Margaret Markarian Wasielewski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
At twelve, Mariam is forbidden to climb trees in her Armenian village which poses an embarrassing challenge. Pastel illustrations.
by Marianne Markarian
Illustrator: Margaret Markarian Wasielewski
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
At twelve, Mariam is forbidden to climb trees in her Armenian village which poses an embarrassing challenge. Pastel illustrations.
The Problem with Chickens
by Bruce McMillan
Illustrator: Gunnella
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Chickens acting like ladies? A droll story set in Iceland illustrated with folk-art oil paintings.
by Bruce McMillan
Illustrator: Gunnella
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Chickens acting like ladies? A droll story set in Iceland illustrated with folk-art oil paintings.
The Silent Witness
by Robin Friedman
Illustrator: Claire A. Nivola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young girl observes important events during the Civil War. American primitive-style watercolors.
by Robin Friedman
Illustrator: Claire A. Nivola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young girl observes important events during the Civil War. American primitive-style watercolors.
The Sun's Daughter
by Pat Sherman
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Inspired by Iroquois legend, this original tale explains why Maize returns to the earth each year. Energetic gouache, acrylic and tempera illustrations,
by Pat Sherman
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Inspired by Iroquois legend, this original tale explains why Maize returns to the earth each year. Energetic gouache, acrylic and tempera illustrations,
The Three Silly Billies
by Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Barry Moser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Hip-talking travelers pool their wit, pluck and coins to pass the Troll's Toll Bridge. Humorous watercolors.
by Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Barry Moser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Hip-talking travelers pool their wit, pluck and coins to pass the Troll's Toll Bridge. Humorous watercolors.
The Ugly Duckling
by Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrator: Robert Ingpen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The duckling's search for world acceptance. A new translation.
by Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrator: Robert Ingpen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
The duckling's search for world acceptance. A new translation.
The Visit
by Reeve Lindbergh
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two young sisters visit their aunt and uncle's farm. Gentle rhymes and appealing illustrations.
by Reeve Lindbergh
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two young sisters visit their aunt and uncle's farm. Gentle rhymes and appealing illustrations.
Think Cool Thoughts
by Elizabeth Perry
Illustrator: Linda Bronson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
How a family deals with hot weather. Humorous acrylic and oil illustrations.
by Elizabeth Perry
Illustrator: Linda Bronson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
How a family deals with hot weather. Humorous acrylic and oil illustrations.
This Little Light of Mine
ill. by E.B. Lewis
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
One child makes a difference in this traditional African-American spiritual. Joyous, loosely painted watercolors.
ill. by E.B. Lewis
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
One child makes a difference in this traditional African-American spiritual. Joyous, loosely painted watercolors.
This Little Pirate
by Philemon Sturges
Illustrator: Amy Walrod
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two battling bands of pirates decide to cooperate and then share a found treasure. Humorous cut-paper illustrations provide a twist on the children's rhyme.
by Philemon Sturges
Illustrator: Amy Walrod
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Two battling bands of pirates decide to cooperate and then share a found treasure. Humorous cut-paper illustrations provide a twist on the children's rhyme.
Timothy Cox Will Not Change His Socks
by Robert Kinerk
Illustrator: Stephen Gammell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
An obedient, well mannered second grader makes a promise to himself that is very hard to keep when faced with external pressure. Whimsical watercolors.
by Robert Kinerk
Illustrator: Stephen Gammell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
An obedient, well mannered second grader makes a promise to himself that is very hard to keep when faced with external pressure. Whimsical watercolors.
Tooth Fairy's First Night
by Anne Bowen
Illustrator: Jon Berkeley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
In her first night on the job, a tooth fairy is challenged to find Miranda Kay's hidden tooth.
by Anne Bowen
Illustrator: Jon Berkeley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
In her first night on the job, a tooth fairy is challenged to find Miranda Kay's hidden tooth.
Traction Man is Here!
written and ill. by Mini Grey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A new action toy comes to the rescue many times. Amusing illustrations.
written and ill. by Mini Grey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A new action toy comes to the rescue many times. Amusing illustrations.
Tumble Bunnies
by Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Marylin Hafner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Clyde, the young bunny, finds athletic ability and pleasure in spite of his distaste for team sports. Dynamic illustrations.
by Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Marylin Hafner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Clyde, the young bunny, finds athletic ability and pleasure in spite of his distaste for team sports. Dynamic illustrations.
Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing
by April Jones Prince
Illustrator: Francois Roca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Would the awe-inspiring, new Brooklyn Bridge triumph in strength as well as beauty?
by April Jones Prince
Illustrator: Francois Roca
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Would the awe-inspiring, new Brooklyn Bridge triumph in strength as well as beauty?
Two Dogs Swimming
written and ill. by Lynn Reiser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Whistle and Spot play, run, jump and take turns winning, but Spot can't swim.
written and ill. by Lynn Reiser
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Whistle and Spot play, run, jump and take turns winning, but Spot can't swim.
Vera's Baby Sister
written and ill. by Vera Rosenberry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Vera's grandfather helps her adapt to the new baby by working with her to make her own “bean tent,” Gouache illustrations.
written and ill. by Vera Rosenberry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Vera's grandfather helps her adapt to the new baby by working with her to make her own “bean tent,” Gouache illustrations.
Waiting for May
written and ill. by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young boy and his family take an emotional journey to China to meet his adopted sister.
written and ill. by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A young boy and his family take an emotional journey to China to meet his adopted sister.
What's Going On In There?
written and ill. by Geoffrey Grahn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Many things in Grahnville are not what you expect in an ordinary town.
written and ill. by Geoffrey Grahn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Many things in Grahnville are not what you expect in an ordinary town.
Willa and the Wind
by Janice M. Del Negro
Illustrator: Heather Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Feisty Willa finds a way to outwit a greedy innkeeper and reclaim the Wind's magical gifts to her.
by Janice M. Del Negro
Illustrator: Heather Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
Feisty Willa finds a way to outwit a greedy innkeeper and reclaim the Wind's magical gifts to her.
Zen Shorts
written and ill. by Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A giant panda shares tales with three siblings. Delicate watercolors and bold black-and-white illustrations.
written and ill. by Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2005
A giant panda shares tales with three siblings. Delicate watercolors and bold black-and-white illustrations.
Albert, the Dog Who Liked to Ride in Taxis
by Cynthia Zarin
Illustrator: Pierre Pratt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Albert, who prefers taxi rides to walks, hops a cab alone and really explores the city.
by Cynthia Zarin
Illustrator: Pierre Pratt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Albert, who prefers taxi rides to walks, hops a cab alone and really explores the city.
Alice the Fairy
written and ill. by David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Energetic, child-like art and humorous text celebrate a girl's imagination.
written and ill. by David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Energetic, child-like art and humorous text celebrate a girl's imagination.