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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Hot City
by Barbara Joosse
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
On a hot summer day, two city children find a cool refuge in the library. Expressive acrylics.
by Barbara Joosse
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
On a hot summer day, two city children find a cool refuge in the library. Expressive acrylics.
Hot Day on Abbott Avenue
by Karen English
Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Kishi and Renée spend a hot day ignoring each other until the sounds of jump rope lure them together and back to friendship. Vibrant collage art.
by Karen English
Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Kishi and Renée spend a hot day ignoring each other until the sounds of jump rope lure them together and back to friendship. Vibrant collage art.
Humphrey, Albert, and the flying Machine
by Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
In a delightful take-off on Sleeping Beauty, two boys and a young inventor join forces to save the day. Watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
In a delightful take-off on Sleeping Beauty, two boys and a young inventor join forces to save the day. Watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Hurty Feelings
by Helen Lester
Illustrator: Lynn Munsinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Fragility, a hippopotamus, is tough on the outside, too soft on the inside. Light watercolors add to the silliness.
by Helen Lester
Illustrator: Lynn Munsinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Fragility, a hippopotamus, is tough on the outside, too soft on the inside. Light watercolors add to the silliness.
I, Doko
written and ill. by Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A moving tale with equally evocative illustrations of an Asian family and how they learn to cherish their elders.
written and ill. by Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A moving tale with equally evocative illustrations of an Asian family and how they learn to cherish their elders.
If You Want to See a Caribou
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Jim Meyer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A journey into an unspoiled wilderness in haunting, imaginative text and color woodblocks.
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Jim Meyer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A journey into an unspoiled wilderness in haunting, imaginative text and color woodblocks.
Into the Forest
written and ill. by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Concerned about his father's absence, a young boy takes the “quick” but mysterious route to Grandma's house. Striking, eerie drawings.
written and ill. by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Concerned about his father's absence, a young boy takes the “quick” but mysterious route to Grandma's house. Striking, eerie drawings.
Iris and Walter and the Substitute Teacher
by Elissa Haden Guest
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Iris finds it's not so easy sharing Grandpa when he steps in for Miss Cherry in her classroom.
by Elissa Haden Guest
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Iris finds it's not so easy sharing Grandpa when he steps in for Miss Cherry in her classroom.
Ish
written and ill. by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Ramon learns that one doesn't always have to draw “just right”. Humorous watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Ramon learns that one doesn't always have to draw “just right”. Humorous watercolor illustrations.
It's Test Day, Tiger Turcotte
by Pansie Hart Flood
Illustrator: Amy Wummer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
An anxious second-grader can't decide how to identify his ethnic-racial background before he begins his test. Important values explored with humor and empathy.
by Pansie Hart Flood
Illustrator: Amy Wummer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
An anxious second-grader can't decide how to identify his ethnic-racial background before he begins his test. Important values explored with humor and empathy.
James the Dancing Dog
by Linda Maybarduk
Illustrator: Gillian Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
The inner workings of a dance company, especially the rejection and perseverance which must be tolerated.
by Linda Maybarduk
Illustrator: Gillian Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
The inner workings of a dance company, especially the rejection and perseverance which must be tolerated.
Jazzy Miz Mozetta
by Brenda C. Roberts
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Young and old enrich each other's lives by sharing their music and dances. Richly textured illustrations.
by Brenda C. Roberts
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Young and old enrich each other's lives by sharing their music and dances. Richly textured illustrations.
Jess and the Stinky Cowboys
by Janice Lee Smith
Illustrator: Lisa Thiesing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Deputy Sheriff Jess finally finds a way to get the world's stinkiest cowboys to take a bath.
by Janice Lee Smith
Illustrator: Lisa Thiesing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Deputy Sheriff Jess finally finds a way to get the world's stinkiest cowboys to take a bath.
John Philip Duck
written and ill. by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A young boy finds an unlikely place for his trained pet duck. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and ill. by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A young boy finds an unlikely place for his trained pet duck. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Jungle Drums
written and ill. by Graeme Base
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Lush illustrations enhance this amusing take on the “be careful what you wish for” story.
written and ill. by Graeme Base
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Lush illustrations enhance this amusing take on the “be careful what you wish for” story.
Karate Hour
by Carol Nevius
Illustrator: Bill Thomson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Action packed look at a karate class with powerful rhythms and realistic drawings.
by Carol Nevius
Illustrator: Bill Thomson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Action packed look at a karate class with powerful rhythms and realistic drawings.
Keeping Up with Roo
by Sharlee Glenn
Illustrator: Dan Andreasen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Gracie's beloved Aunt Roo with the heart and mind of a child is a wonderful playmate for her until she outgrows their young play.
by Sharlee Glenn
Illustrator: Dan Andreasen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Gracie's beloved Aunt Roo with the heart and mind of a child is a wonderful playmate for her until she outgrows their young play.
King o' the Cats
by Aaron Shepard
Illustrator: Kristin Sorra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Dramatically told tale about young Peter Black's love for telling wild stories. Expressive oil paintings.
by Aaron Shepard
Illustrator: Kristin Sorra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Dramatically told tale about young Peter Black's love for telling wild stories. Expressive oil paintings.
Lila Bloom
written and ill. by Alexander Stadler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
In a bad mood, Lila decides to quit ballet until the dancing in class dissolves her anger.
written and ill. by Alexander Stadler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
In a bad mood, Lila decides to quit ballet until the dancing in class dissolves her anger.
Little Duck Lost
by Erica Briers
Illustrator: Stephanie Boey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A lost duckling seeks help in finding his home. Soft illustrations.
by Erica Briers
Illustrator: Stephanie Boey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A lost duckling seeks help in finding his home. Soft illustrations.
Little Mouse
by Lida Dijkstra
Illustrator: Piet Grobler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
An old hermit raises a little mouse and then the two set out joyfully to find her a husband. Whimsical illustrations.
by Lida Dijkstra
Illustrator: Piet Grobler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
An old hermit raises a little mouse and then the two set out joyfully to find her a husband. Whimsical illustrations.
Little Rat Rides
by Monika Bang-Campbell
Illustrator: Molly Bang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Overcoming her fears, Little Rat works hard to become a fancy rider.
by Monika Bang-Campbell
Illustrator: Molly Bang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Overcoming her fears, Little Rat works hard to become a fancy rider.
Love and Roast Chicken: A Trickster Tale from the Andes Mountains
written and ill. by Barbara Knutson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A small guinea pig outwits a big fox and an even bigger farmer. Vibrant illustrations.
written and ill. by Barbara Knutson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A small guinea pig outwits a big fox and an even bigger farmer. Vibrant illustrations.
Mallory on the Move
by Laurie Friedman
Illustrator: Tamara Schmitz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
An eight-year-old tries jokes to adjust to a new neighborhood three hours away from her best friend and her old life.
by Laurie Friedman
Illustrator: Tamara Schmitz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
An eight-year-old tries jokes to adjust to a new neighborhood three hours away from her best friend and her old life.
Mañana, Iguana
by Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A lovely retelling of The Little Red Hen with a Mexican twist and clearly translated Spanish vocabulary.
by Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A lovely retelling of The Little Red Hen with a Mexican twist and clearly translated Spanish vocabulary.