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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Miss Hunnicutt's Hat
by Jeff Brumbeau
Illustrator: Gail de Marcken
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A townswoman shocks her neighbors by wearing a hat with alive chicken in honor of the Queen's visit.
by Jeff Brumbeau
Illustrator: Gail de Marcken
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A townswoman shocks her neighbors by wearing a hat with alive chicken in honor of the Queen's visit.
Moses Goes to the Circus
written and ill. by Isaac Millman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Moses who is deaf and his hearing sister have fun signing at a special performance of a circus designed for the hearing impaired.
written and ill. by Isaac Millman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Moses who is deaf and his hearing sister have fun signing at a special performance of a circus designed for the hearing impaired.
Mr. Putter & Tabby Stir the Soup
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When his stove breaks down, Mr. Potter's neighbor comes to the rescue. Another in the popular series.
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When his stove breaks down, Mr. Potter's neighbor comes to the rescue. Another in the popular series.
My Hippie Grandmother
by Reeve Lindbergh
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl spends a special day with her hippie grandmother. Appropriate illustrations.
by Reeve Lindbergh
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl spends a special day with her hippie grandmother. Appropriate illustrations.
My Name is Yoon
by Helen Recorvits
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A Korean girl comes to accept her new life in America through words: cat, bird, cupcake and finally her own name. Magically fantastic illustrations.
by Helen Recorvits
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A Korean girl comes to accept her new life in America through words: cat, bird, cupcake and finally her own name. Magically fantastic illustrations.
My Pig Amarillo
written and ill. by Satomi Ichikawa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In a Spanish speaking country, a young boy deals with the love and loss of his pet pig.
written and ill. by Satomi Ichikawa
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In a Spanish speaking country, a young boy deals with the love and loss of his pet pig.
Mystic Horse
written and ill. by Paul Goble
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young brave saves his tribe after adopting an infirm horse with magic power. Colorful stylized illustrations.
written and ill. by Paul Goble
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young brave saves his tribe after adopting an infirm horse with magic power. Colorful stylized illustrations.
New Pig in Town
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Frank Ansley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Chip is the new pig in town and Fitch is the lone wolf. Against all odds the two become friends.
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Frank Ansley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Chip is the new pig in town and Fitch is the lone wolf. Against all odds the two become friends.
Nine Animals and the Well
written and ill. by James Rumford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
How a generous and humble spirit bring more to friendship than fancy gifts. A humorous original fable with brilliant paintings.
written and ill. by James Rumford
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
How a generous and humble spirit bring more to friendship than fancy gifts. A humorous original fable with brilliant paintings.
Niño's Mask
written and ill. by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Niño makes his own mask to wear to the fiesta and surprises his family. Illustrated with Mexican motifs.
written and ill. by Jeanette Winter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Niño makes his own mask to wear to the fiesta and surprises his family. Illustrated with Mexican motifs.
Old Cricket
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Ponder Goembel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A hungry lazy insect almost becomes another's lunch. Clever wordplay, detailed illustrations. Good read-aloud.
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Ponder Goembel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A hungry lazy insect almost becomes another's lunch. Clever wordplay, detailed illustrations. Good read-aloud.
Old Granny and the Bean Thief
by Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: Cat Bowman Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A feisty Old Granny makes interesting friends as she seeks help to stop a thief.
by Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: Cat Bowman Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A feisty Old Granny makes interesting friends as she seeks help to stop a thief.
Oliver Cat on Planet B
written and ill. by Christine Kettner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Oliver Cat always has a good time, regardless of any difficulties he encounters.
written and ill. by Christine Kettner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Oliver Cat always has a good time, regardless of any difficulties he encounters.
Oliviatown
by Allen Levi
Illustrator: Garry Pound
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl creates a world on the sidewalk in front of her house. Oil and pencil illustrations.
by Allen Levi
Illustrator: Garry Pound
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl creates a world on the sidewalk in front of her house. Oil and pencil illustrations.
Once Upon a Time
written and ill. by Niki Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Classmates mock Sarie who has trouble reading until her loving Auntie Anna comes to the rescue. Sensitive watercolors.
written and ill. by Niki Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Classmates mock Sarie who has trouble reading until her loving Auntie Anna comes to the rescue. Sensitive watercolors.
One Hundred Days (Plus One)
by Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mike Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Hannah misses the special school celebration but her teacher understands.
by Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mike Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Hannah misses the special school celebration but her teacher understands.
Orphan Train
by Verla Kay
Illustrator: Ken Stark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The Orphan Train experience of three young siblings. Spare rhyming text and dramatic acrylic paintings
by Verla Kay
Illustrator: Ken Stark
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The Orphan Train experience of three young siblings. Spare rhyming text and dramatic acrylic paintings
Papa's Mark
by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Simms helps his father learn to write his name so that he can vote in the rural south.
by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Simms helps his father learn to write his name so that he can vote in the rural south.
Pictures for Miss Josie
by Sandra Belton
Illustrator: Benny Andrews
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the influence of a remarkable friend, an African-American boy grows to believe in himself. Striking collage illustrations.
by Sandra Belton
Illustrator: Benny Andrews
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the influence of a remarkable friend, an African-American boy grows to believe in himself. Striking collage illustrations.
Pigeon Hero!
by Shirley Raye Redmond
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A carrier pigeon whose message saved an Italian town from being bombed.
by Shirley Raye Redmond
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A carrier pigeon whose message saved an Italian town from being bombed.
Players in Pigtails
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
How American girls played baseball while the boys were fighting World War II. Retro energetic art.
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
How American girls played baseball while the boys were fighting World War II. Retro energetic art.
Prairie Friends
by Nancy Smiler Levinson
Illustrator: Stacey Schuett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Life could be lonely on the Nebraska prairie, but Betsy hopes for a friend--someday.
by Nancy Smiler Levinson
Illustrator: Stacey Schuett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Life could be lonely on the Nebraska prairie, but Betsy hopes for a friend--someday.
Prairie Train
by Marsha Wilson Chall
Illustrator: John Thompson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl's solitary train journey to visit grandmother in the big city. Lyrical text and illustrations.
by Marsha Wilson Chall
Illustrator: John Thompson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl's solitary train journey to visit grandmother in the big city. Lyrical text and illustrations.
Princesses Are Not Quitters!
by Kate Lum
Illustrator: Sue Hellard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Three bored princesses exchange places with their servants for a day and their kingdom is forever changed.
by Kate Lum
Illustrator: Sue Hellard
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Three bored princesses exchange places with their servants for a day and their kingdom is forever changed.
Professor Aesop's the Crow and the Pitcher
interpreted and ill. by Stephanie Gwyn Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A comic twist on the Aesop fable of a thirsty crow who perseveres in getting a drink on a scorching hot day. Quirky illustrations.
interpreted and ill. by Stephanie Gwyn Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A comic twist on the Aesop fable of a thirsty crow who perseveres in getting a drink on a scorching hot day. Quirky illustrations.