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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Tigress
by Nick Dowson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Two young tigers grow and learn with their mother's guidance. Energetic realistic paintings.
by Nick Dowson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Two young tigers grow and learn with their mother's guidance. Energetic realistic paintings.
Too Many Murkles
by Heidi Charissa Schmidt
Illustrator: Mary Gregg Byrne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A child's wisdom in dealing with intruders influences adults and solves a town's problems.
by Heidi Charissa Schmidt
Illustrator: Mary Gregg Byrne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A child's wisdom in dealing with intruders influences adults and solves a town's problems.
Twice As Nice: What It's Like to Be a Twin
written and ill. by Nicole Rubel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Every aspect of twinship explored in an appealing manner.
written and ill. by Nicole Rubel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Every aspect of twinship explored in an appealing manner.
Two Left Feet
written and ill. by Adam Stower
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A likeable monster's dancing dreams are realized when he finds the perfect partner. Imaginatively illustrated.
written and ill. by Adam Stower
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A likeable monster's dancing dreams are realized when he finds the perfect partner. Imaginatively illustrated.
Unwitting Wisdom
retold and ill. by Helen Ward
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Detailed bright watercolors enliven the retelling of twelve of the famous fables. Introductory comments hint at morals.
retold and ill. by Helen Ward
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Detailed bright watercolors enliven the retelling of twelve of the famous fables. Introductory comments hint at morals.
Violet's Music
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Violet loves music and searches for friends to enjoy it with. Lyrical text and bright illustrations.
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Violet loves music and searches for friends to enjoy it with. Lyrical text and bright illustrations.
When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
by Walt Whitman
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Elegant acrylic paintings illustrate this classic text in celebration of the imagination.
by Walt Whitman
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Elegant acrylic paintings illustrate this classic text in celebration of the imagination.
Why Epossumondas Has No Hair on His Tail
by Coleen Salley
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A delightful read-aloud about why the possum's tail is hairless. Imaginative mixed media illustrations.
by Coleen Salley
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
A delightful read-aloud about why the possum's tail is hairless. Imaginative mixed media illustrations.
Wild About Books
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Whimsical tale of a zooful of animals who become avid readers and bibliophiles. Humorous illustrations.
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2004
Whimsical tale of a zooful of animals who become avid readers and bibliophiles. Humorous illustrations.
A Bird About to Sing
written and ill. by Laura Nyman Montenegro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Natalie, a poet, finds that reading her poetry aloud can be difficutl.
written and ill. by Laura Nyman Montenegro
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Natalie, a poet, finds that reading her poetry aloud can be difficutl.
A Crazy Mixed-Up Spanglish Day
by Marisa Montes
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A spirited third grader struggles with a bully.
by Marisa Montes
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A spirited third grader struggles with a bully.
A Fairy in a Dairy
by Lucy Nolan
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A small town is in danger of drying up until mysterious things involving dairy products begin to happen. Playful illustrations.
by Lucy Nolan
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A small town is in danger of drying up until mysterious things involving dairy products begin to happen. Playful illustrations.
Alligator Sue
by Sharon Arms Doucet
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Living on a houseboat in Louisiana, Sue learns about being an alligator and then finds out who she really is. Illustrated with humor.
by Sharon Arms Doucet
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Living on a houseboat in Louisiana, Sue learns about being an alligator and then finds out who she really is. Illustrated with humor.
Almost to Freedom
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A black rag doll accompanies a slave child and her family on the Underground Railroad in their quest for freedom.
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A black rag doll accompanies a slave child and her family on the Underground Railroad in their quest for freedom.
Amanda Pig and the Awful, Scary Monster
by Jean Van Leeuwen
Illustrator: Ann Schweninger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Her loving pig family helps little Amanda overcome her fear of the dark with humor and affection.
by Jean Van Leeuwen
Illustrator: Ann Schweninger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Her loving pig family helps little Amanda overcome her fear of the dark with humor and affection.
And Then It Rained...
by Crescent Dragonwagon
Illustrator: Diane Greenseid
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Everyone in the city welcomes the rain, until... Flip the book over and read how they all greet the sun. Clever and colorful.
by Crescent Dragonwagon
Illustrator: Diane Greenseid
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Everyone in the city welcomes the rain, until... Flip the book over and read how they all greet the sun. Clever and colorful.
Arnie the Doughnut
written and ill. by Laurie Keller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the help of his would-be eater, a spunky doughnut decides to change his destiny. Clever and witty.
written and ill. by Laurie Keller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the help of his would-be eater, a spunky doughnut decides to change his destiny. Clever and witty.
Arthur's Tractor
by Pippa Goodhart
Illustrator: Colin Paine
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Several stories in one demonstrate that a single picture is worth a thousand words. A delightful spoof.
by Pippa Goodhart
Illustrator: Colin Paine
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Several stories in one demonstrate that a single picture is worth a thousand words. A delightful spoof.
Babu's Song
by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Illustrator: Aaron Boyd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In Tanzania, Bernardi wants to go to school and play soccer, His mute grandfather helps make this happen. Expressive watercolors.
by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Illustrator: Aaron Boyd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In Tanzania, Bernardi wants to go to school and play soccer, His mute grandfather helps make this happen. Expressive watercolors.
Bagels from Benny
by Aubrey Davis
Illustrator: Dusan Petricic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In this ancient Jewish folktale from Spain, Benny finds a way to thank God for the bagels his grandfather bakes. Charming illustrations.
by Aubrey Davis
Illustrator: Dusan Petricic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In this ancient Jewish folktale from Spain, Benny finds a way to thank God for the bagels his grandfather bakes. Charming illustrations.
Bear Hug
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Kate Salley Palmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Two children go on an exciting overnight camping trip with their dad. Joyous illustrations.
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Kate Salley Palmer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Two children go on an exciting overnight camping trip with their dad. Joyous illustrations.
Belinda the Ballerina
written and ill. by Amy Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
After short-sighted judges rejected her, an enthusiastic dancer finds fame through an unlikely audience.
written and ill. by Amy Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
After short-sighted judges rejected her, an enthusiastic dancer finds fame through an unlikely audience.
Beverly Billingsly Takes a Bow
written and ill. by Alexander Stadler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Beverly's important role in the school play is not what she expected. Fetching line drawings.
written and ill. by Alexander Stadler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Beverly's important role in the school play is not what she expected. Fetching line drawings.
Big Day on the River
by Sarah Wilson
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Willie's family prepares her raft for a river trip. Wild, wacky and fun to read-aloud.
by Sarah Wilson
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Willie's family prepares her raft for a river trip. Wild, wacky and fun to read-aloud.