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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Punctuation Takes a Vacation
by Robin Pulver
Illustrator: Lynn Rowe Reed
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When the punctuation marks take time off, chaos breaks loose in the classroom.
by Robin Pulver
Illustrator: Lynn Rowe Reed
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When the punctuation marks take time off, chaos breaks loose in the classroom.
Rhyolite
by Diane Siebert
Illustrator: David Frampton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In the desert of Nevada in 1904, gold was found, a town grew, people prospered and in a few years the town was gone. Told in verse with striking woodcuts.
by Diane Siebert
Illustrator: David Frampton
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In the desert of Nevada in 1904, gold was found, a town grew, people prospered and in a few years the town was gone. Told in verse with striking woodcuts.
Robert Henry Hendershot
by Susan E. Goodman
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Twelve-year-old Robert Henry joins the Union Army as a drummer boy and becomes a hero at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862.
by Susan E. Goodman
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Twelve-year-old Robert Henry joins the Union Army as a drummer boy and becomes a hero at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862.
Roller Coaster
written and ill. by Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The thrill and stomach turning of the ride. The watercolor illustrations do it!
written and ill. by Marla Frazee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The thrill and stomach turning of the ride. The watercolor illustrations do it!
Room for Rabbit
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Cyd Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Her doll in tow, a young girl adjusts to her parents' divorce and finds her place in her father's new marriage.
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Cyd Moore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Her doll in tow, a young girl adjusts to her parents' divorce and finds her place in her father's new marriage.
Rosie to the Rescue
by Bethany Roberts
Illustrator: Kay Chorao
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The scary “what ifs” that occur while waiting for Mom and Dad to come home. Humorous illustrations.
by Bethany Roberts
Illustrator: Kay Chorao
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The scary “what ifs” that occur while waiting for Mom and Dad to come home. Humorous illustrations.
Sasha's Matrioshka Dolls
by Jana Dillon
Illustrator: Deborah Nourse Lattimore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Sasha's grandfather carves her a set of nesting dolls. Charming folk art.
by Jana Dillon
Illustrator: Deborah Nourse Lattimore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Sasha's grandfather carves her a set of nesting dolls. Charming folk art.
Shining
by Julius Lester
Illustrator: John Clapp
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A silent African girl finds her voice by listening closely to the world around her. Lush text and stunning art.
by Julius Lester
Illustrator: John Clapp
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A silent African girl finds her voice by listening closely to the world around her. Lush text and stunning art.
Silent Movie
by Avi
Illustrator: C.B. Mordan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A recreation of a silent movie with black-and-white pictures gives readers the feel of old-time pre-talkies.
by Avi
Illustrator: C.B. Mordan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A recreation of a silent movie with black-and-white pictures gives readers the feel of old-time pre-talkies.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
retold and ill. by Laura Ljungkvist
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Bright, bold graphic art give new energy to this classic retelling.
retold and ill. by Laura Ljungkvist
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Bright, bold graphic art give new energy to this classic retelling.
Something for Nothing
by Ann Redisch Stampler
Illustrator: Jacqueline M. Cohen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
How a clever dog outwits a gang of rowdy cats A retelling of an Eastern European trickster tale. Exuberant illustrations.
by Ann Redisch Stampler
Illustrator: Jacqueline M. Cohen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
How a clever dog outwits a gang of rowdy cats A retelling of an Eastern European trickster tale. Exuberant illustrations.
Souperchicken
by Mary Jane Auch
Illustrator: Mary Jane and Herm Auch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Henrietta is some smart chick! Because she can read, she saves her hen aunties and many other animals. Bold amusing illustrations.
by Mary Jane Auch
Illustrator: Mary Jane and Herm Auch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Henrietta is some smart chick! Because she can read, she saves her hen aunties and many other animals. Bold amusing illustrations.
Sparrow Jack
written and ill. by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Common house sparrows were imported in 1868 from England by John Bardsley especially to get rid of the inchworms that were destroying his trees. Colorful humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Common house sparrows were imported in 1868 from England by John Bardsley especially to get rid of the inchworms that were destroying his trees. Colorful humorous illustrations.
Stone Soup
retold and ill. by Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A humorous Chinese version employing Buddhist traditions, village life and culture captured by exquisite, evocative watercolors.
retold and ill. by Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A humorous Chinese version employing Buddhist traditions, village life and culture captured by exquisite, evocative watercolors.
Suki's Kimono
by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
On the first day of school, a Japanese-American girl shares her culture and unique spirit. Lovely watercolors.
by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
On the first day of school, a Japanese-American girl shares her culture and unique spirit. Lovely watercolors.
Take Two, They're Small
by Elizabeth Levy
Illustrator: Mark Elliott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Fourth grader Eve has to do a project with her twin sisters who are in kindergarten.
by Elizabeth Levy
Illustrator: Mark Elliott
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Fourth grader Eve has to do a project with her twin sisters who are in kindergarten.
Tanuki's Gift
retold by Tim Myers
Illustrator: Robert Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The friendship between a Buddhist priest and a “tanuki.” Mixed-media illustrations.
retold by Tim Myers
Illustrator: Robert Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The friendship between a Buddhist priest and a “tanuki.” Mixed-media illustrations.
Thanksgiving in the White House
by Gary Hines
Illustrator: Alexandra Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Influenced by his son Tad, Abraham Lincoln issues the first presidential “turkey pardon” and proclaims the official Thanksgiving celebration.
by Gary Hines
Illustrator: Alexandra Wallner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Influenced by his son Tad, Abraham Lincoln issues the first presidential “turkey pardon” and proclaims the official Thanksgiving celebration.
Thank You, Grandpa
by Lynn Plourde
Illustrator: Jason Cockcroft
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Poignant story of a young girl's relationship with her grandfather, as they discover together the life cycles in nature.
by Lynn Plourde
Illustrator: Jason Cockcroft
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Poignant story of a young girl's relationship with her grandfather, as they discover together the life cycles in nature.
The Animal Hedge
by Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A farmer and his son discover their true vocations. Primitive style illustrations.
by Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A farmer and his son discover their true vocations. Primitive style illustrations.
The Blind Hunter
written and ill. by Kristina Rodanas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An old blind hunter teaches a young hunter how to see.
written and ill. by Kristina Rodanas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An old blind hunter teaches a young hunter how to see.
The Blizzard
by Betty Ren Wright
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A blizzard changes Billy's December birthday into a school sleep-over party at his rural one-room school.
by Betty Ren Wright
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A blizzard changes Billy's December birthday into a school sleep-over party at his rural one-room school.
The Cat Who Got Carried Away
by Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator: Katherine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A fun mystery involving a family, their cat, a scary PE teacher, a crooked pet shop owner--and a new baby. Charming maps to help solve the case.
by Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator: Katherine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A fun mystery involving a family, their cat, a scary PE teacher, a crooked pet shop owner--and a new baby. Charming maps to help solve the case.
The Cat Who Liked Potato Soup
by Terry Farish
Illustrator: Barry Root
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
As the relationship between a man and his cat grows tense, they discover the merits of friendship.
by Terry Farish
Illustrator: Barry Root
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
As the relationship between a man and his cat grows tense, they discover the merits of friendship.
The Day I Could Fly
by Lynn Crosbie Loux
Illustrator: Guy Porfirio
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl takes flight as a bird in her imagination. Beautiful illustrations and a lyrical text.
by Lynn Crosbie Loux
Illustrator: Guy Porfirio
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl takes flight as a bird in her imagination. Beautiful illustrations and a lyrical text.