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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How I Became a Pirate
by Melinda Long
Illustrator: David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young boy imagines a pirate adventure so real that he becomes a part of it--and then learns that it isn't all fun.
by Melinda Long
Illustrator: David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young boy imagines a pirate adventure so real that he becomes a part of it--and then learns that it isn't all fun.
How Rabbit Lost His Tail
by Deborah L. Duvall
Illustrator: Murv Jacob
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Beautiful woodcuts illustrate this clever trickster tale.
by Deborah L. Duvall
Illustrator: Murv Jacob
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Beautiful woodcuts illustrate this clever trickster tale.
Ice-Cream Cones for Sale!
written and ill. by Elaine Greenstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Seven people claim to have made the first ice-cream cone. Research solves the mystery.
written and ill. by Elaine Greenstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Seven people claim to have made the first ice-cream cone. Research solves the mystery.
I Dream of Trains
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In 1900, an African-American boy is inspired by his sharecropper father and the legendary Casey Jones. Lush acrylic illustrations.
by Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In 1900, an African-American boy is inspired by his sharecropper father and the legendary Casey Jones. Lush acrylic illustrations.
I Love You Just the Same
written and ill. by Erica Wolf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Little Bear learns how to fend for himself--all under his mother's loving care.
written and ill. by Erica Wolf
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Little Bear learns how to fend for himself--all under his mother's loving care.
Imagine a Night
by Sarah L. Thompson
Illustrator: Rob Gonsalves
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A world where nothing is what it seems. Simple poetic text and imaginative lush paintings.
by Sarah L. Thompson
Illustrator: Rob Gonsalves
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A world where nothing is what it seems. Simple poetic text and imaginative lush paintings.
I'm Not Invited?
written and ill. by Diana Cain Bluthenthal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Minnie waits in vain for an invitation to Charles's birthday party. A surprise ending invites discussion. Beguiling illustrations.
written and ill. by Diana Cain Bluthenthal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Minnie waits in vain for an invitation to Charles's birthday party. A surprise ending invites discussion. Beguiling illustrations.
In the Piney Woods
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Ella and her extended family live in the pine woods near the sea where nature is revealed and understood.
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Ella and her extended family live in the pine woods near the sea where nature is revealed and understood.
It's Not My Fault!
written and ill. by Nancy Carlson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
George's school day is full of minor mishaps, but he makes a major mistake when he denies responsibility to the principal.
written and ill. by Nancy Carlson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
George's school day is full of minor mishaps, but he makes a major mistake when he denies responsibility to the principal.
I Was a Third Grade Bodyguard
by Mary Jane Auch
Illustrator: Herm Auch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Arful, the talking dog, is sorely tested when he's given the job of guarding the class chicken.
by Mary Jane Auch
Illustrator: Herm Auch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Arful, the talking dog, is sorely tested when he's given the job of guarding the class chicken.
Jean Laffite and the Big Ol' Whale
by Frank G. Fox
Illustrator: Scott Cook
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Original tale features Laffite, the pirate, saving a whale and unblocking the mighty Mississippi. Humorous illustrations.
by Frank G. Fox
Illustrator: Scott Cook
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Original tale features Laffite, the pirate, saving a whale and unblocking the mighty Mississippi. Humorous illustrations.
Jennifer Jones Won't Leave Me Alone
by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrator: Neal Layton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A too affectionate classmate is missed after she moves away. Lively, humorous illustrations.
by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrator: Neal Layton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A too affectionate classmate is missed after she moves away. Lively, humorous illustrations.
Johnny Appleseed
retold by Bill Balcziak
Illustrator: Jason Millet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The life and legends of John Chapman who planted apple trees across the midwest.
retold by Bill Balcziak
Illustrator: Jason Millet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The life and legends of John Chapman who planted apple trees across the midwest.
Judy Moody Predicts the Future
by Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Judy's new mood ring convinces her that she can become a fortune-teller.
by Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Judy's new mood ring convinces her that she can become a fortune-teller.
Just a Minute
written and ill. by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When the skeleton Señor Galavera comes to take Grandma Beetle away, she cleverly turns the tables. Beautiful Mexican style paintings.
written and ill. by Yuyi Morales
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When the skeleton Señor Galavera comes to take Grandma Beetle away, she cleverly turns the tables. Beautiful Mexican style paintings.
Karate Girl
written and ill. by Mary Leary
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A first hand look at a young girl's study of karate.
written and ill. by Mary Leary
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A first hand look at a young girl's study of karate.
Katie Catz Makes a Splash
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Katie is afraid of the pool until she finally learns to swim.
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Katie is afraid of the pool until she finally learns to swim.
Little Scraggly Hair
by Lynn Cullen
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Why dogs' noses are wet. A unique twist on the classic tale with clever Appalachian dialogue.
by Lynn Cullen
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Why dogs' noses are wet. A unique twist on the classic tale with clever Appalachian dialogue.
Lucille Camps In
by Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Marylin Hafner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Upset that she cannot go camping with her father and older siblings, Lucille and her mom decide to camp inside.
by Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: Marylin Hafner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Upset that she cannot go camping with her father and older siblings, Lucille and her mom decide to camp inside.
Mama Played Baseball
by David A. Adler
Illustrator: Chris OLeary
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
During World War II, with Dad in the army, athletic Mama finds an unusual job and makes her family proud.
by David A. Adler
Illustrator: Chris OLeary
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
During World War II, with Dad in the army, athletic Mama finds an unusual job and makes her family proud.
Mary Smith
written and ill. by A. U'Ren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Before alarm clocks, this real-life woman woke the town each morning in a unique way. Amusing illustrations.
written and ill. by A. U'Ren
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Before alarm clocks, this real-life woman woke the town each morning in a unique way. Amusing illustrations.
May Belle and the Ogre
by Bethany Roberts
Illustrator: Marsha Winborn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
May Belle befriends a hairy, unpleasant visitor and transforms him into a delightful companion.
by Bethany Roberts
Illustrator: Marsha Winborn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
May Belle befriends a hairy, unpleasant visitor and transforms him into a delightful companion.
Meow Means Mischief
by Ann Whitehead Nagda
Illustrator: Stephanie Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Rana is uncomfortable in a new school when her parents travel and her Indian grandparents babysit. Journal entries, new friends and a stray kitten help.
by Ann Whitehead Nagda
Illustrator: Stephanie Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Rana is uncomfortable in a new school when her parents travel and her Indian grandparents babysit. Journal entries, new friends and a stray kitten help.
Mildred and Sam
written and ill. by Sharleen Collicott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Home-making, mouse-style. Charming illustrations.
written and ill. by Sharleen Collicott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Home-making, mouse-style. Charming illustrations.
Minnie and Moo Will You Be My Valentine?
written and ill. by Denys Cazet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Love is in the air and two cows are determined to spread it around the farm.
written and ill. by Denys Cazet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Love is in the air and two cows are determined to spread it around the farm.