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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Big Momma Makes the World
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A lovingly illustrated version of the world's beginnings in engaging verse.
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A lovingly illustrated version of the world's beginnings in engaging verse.
Boxes for Katje
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
After World War II, Rosie sends increasingly generous packages from Indiana to a Dutch family who share the contents with neighbors.
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
After World War II, Rosie sends increasingly generous packages from Indiana to a Dutch family who share the contents with neighbors.
Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl
by Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A Gullah tale about a tricksy rabbit and an outwitted wolf. Expressive warercolor paintings capture the sly humor.
by Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A Gullah tale about a tricksy rabbit and an outwitted wolf. Expressive warercolor paintings capture the sly humor.
Butterflies for Kiri
written and ill. by Cathryn Falwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Using creativity and determination, a young Japanese-American learns the art of origami. Lovely collages.
written and ill. by Cathryn Falwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Using creativity and determination, a young Japanese-American learns the art of origami. Lovely collages.
Captain Bob Takes Flight
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young boy completes his chores by pretending to be a pilot. Simple bright illustrations.
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young boy completes his chores by pretending to be a pilot. Simple bright illustrations.
Casey at the Bat
by Ernest L. Thayer
Illustrator: C.F. Payne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The day Casey left Mudville joyless captured in active paintings packed with expression.
by Ernest L. Thayer
Illustrator: C.F. Payne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The day Casey left Mudville joyless captured in active paintings packed with expression.
Chachaji's Cup
by Uma Krishnaswami
Illustrator: Soumya Sitaraman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An old teacup and a loving great uncle introduce a boy to his family history in India.
by Uma Krishnaswami
Illustrator: Soumya Sitaraman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An old teacup and a loving great uncle introduce a boy to his family history in India.
Clever Lollipop
by Dick King-Smith
Illustrator: Jill Barton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Further adventures of Princess Penelope, her brilliant charming pet pig and the new extraordinary royal tutor.
by Dick King-Smith
Illustrator: Jill Barton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Further adventures of Princess Penelope, her brilliant charming pet pig and the new extraordinary royal tutor.
Clorinda
by Robert Kinerk
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Dreams of becoming a ballet dancer become reality for Clorinda, the cow, with unexpected results. Humorous illlustrations.
by Robert Kinerk
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Dreams of becoming a ballet dancer become reality for Clorinda, the cow, with unexpected results. Humorous illlustrations.
Curse in Reverse
by Tom Coppinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The witch of Agnezza's “backwards” curse blesses a childless couple with the family they desire.
by Tom Coppinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The witch of Agnezza's “backwards” curse blesses a childless couple with the family they desire.
Dancing the Ring Shout!
by Kim L. Siegelson
Illustrator: Lisa Cohen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Taking part in this African-American harvest tradition, Toby discovers what he is most thankful for. Colorful, child-like art.
by Kim L. Siegelson
Illustrator: Lisa Cohen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Taking part in this African-American harvest tradition, Toby discovers what he is most thankful for. Colorful, child-like art.
Diary of a Worm
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Worm silliness and life from a unique perspective. Clever illustrations.
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Worm silliness and life from a unique perspective. Clever illustrations.
Don't Say Ain't
by Irene Smalls
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Dana is torn because advancing her education means losing her two best friends, who now think they're “not good enough” for her.
by Irene Smalls
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Dana is torn because advancing her education means losing her two best friends, who now think they're “not good enough” for her.
Elvis the Rooster Almost Goes to Heaven
written and ill. by Denys Cazet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Devastated when the sun comes up without his crow, Elvis's is helped by caring barnyard friends.
written and ill. by Denys Cazet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Devastated when the sun comes up without his crow, Elvis's is helped by caring barnyard friends.
Emma's Strange Pet
by Jean Little
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Max can't have a pet because his sister is allergic to everything--everthing but a strange pet. Colorful illustrations.
by Jean Little
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Max can't have a pet because his sister is allergic to everything--everthing but a strange pet. Colorful illustrations.
Excuse Me...Are You a Witch?
by Emily Horn
Illustrator: Pawel Pawlak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A lonely black cat tries to find a friend and a place where he can fit in. Fanicful illustrations.
by Emily Horn
Illustrator: Pawel Pawlak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A lonely black cat tries to find a friend and a place where he can fit in. Fanicful illustrations.
Fancy That
by Esther Hershenhorn
Illustrator: Megan Lloyd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Pippin Biddle, an orphaned portrait painter in mid-nineteenth century America, sets out to make his fortune. Colorful, amusing egg tempera illustrations trace a journey full of mishaps.
by Esther Hershenhorn
Illustrator: Megan Lloyd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Pippin Biddle, an orphaned portrait painter in mid-nineteenth century America, sets out to make his fortune. Colorful, amusing egg tempera illustrations trace a journey full of mishaps.
Fire Storm
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
On a family's rafting trip on the salmon river in Idaho, fierce fire storms roar around them.
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
On a family's rafting trip on the salmon river in Idaho, fierce fire storms roar around them.
Fishing Day
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A small act of kindness opens the door to a friendship between two youngsters--one black, one white--in the Jim Crow South.
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A small act of kindness opens the door to a friendship between two youngsters--one black, one white--in the Jim Crow South.
From Me to You
by Anthony France
Illustrator: Tiphanie Beeke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Lonely Rat responds to a single act of kindness and has great fun learning about friendship.
by Anthony France
Illustrator: Tiphanie Beeke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Lonely Rat responds to a single act of kindness and has great fun learning about friendship.
George Washington's Teeth
by Deborah Chandra
Illustrator: Brock Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Washington's terrible trouble with rotting teeth, in rhyme and whimsical pictures.
by Deborah Chandra
Illustrator: Brock Cole
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Washington's terrible trouble with rotting teeth, in rhyme and whimsical pictures.
Gretchen the Bicycle Dog
written and ill. by Anita Heyman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Getchen, a curious dachshund, tells of her early life and family.
written and ill. by Anita Heyman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Getchen, a curious dachshund, tells of her early life and family.
Hannah Mae O'Hannigan's Wild West Show
written and ill. by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Determined to be a cowgirl, Hannah Mae is given a pony to ride in her city backyard, but proves herself at Uncle Coot's ranch. Rollicking tall tale with amusing illustrations.
written and ill. by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Determined to be a cowgirl, Hannah Mae is given a pony to ride in her city backyard, but proves herself at Uncle Coot's ranch. Rollicking tall tale with amusing illustrations.
Homespun Sarah
by Verla Kay
Illustrator: Ted Rand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Farm life in the 1800s in sparse rhymed text with detailed illustrations.
by Verla Kay
Illustrator: Ted Rand
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Farm life in the 1800s in sparse rhymed text with detailed illustrations.
Horace the Horrible
by Jackie French Koller
Illustrator: Jackie Urbanovic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When Princess Minuette goes to stay with her Uncle Horace, she causes him to change radically. Bright watercolors.
by Jackie French Koller
Illustrator: Jackie Urbanovic
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When Princess Minuette goes to stay with her Uncle Horace, she causes him to change radically. Bright watercolors.