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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The Dragon Machine
by Helen Ward
Illustrator: Wayne Anderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Feeling invisible, George encounters troublesome dragons and together they discover their special places. Dream-like art.
by Helen Ward
Illustrator: Wayne Anderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Feeling invisible, George encounters troublesome dragons and together they discover their special places. Dream-like art.
The Errant Knight
by Ann Tompert
Illustrator: Doug Keith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A knight, summoned to serve his king, does incredibly well in ways he could not have predicted.
by Ann Tompert
Illustrator: Doug Keith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A knight, summoned to serve his king, does incredibly well in ways he could not have predicted.
The Girl on the High-Diving Horse
by Linda Oatman High
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A nostalgic look at the Atlantic City boardwalk in the 1930s when animal acts, especially diving horses, thrilled the crowds. Postcard-like illustrations.
by Linda Oatman High
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A nostalgic look at the Atlantic City boardwalk in the 1930s when animal acts, especially diving horses, thrilled the crowds. Postcard-like illustrations.
The Great Googlestein Museum Mystery
by Jean Van Leeuwen
Illustrator: R.W. Alley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Three resourceful New York City mice take on the challenges of a unique museum and set the art world agog.
by Jean Van Leeuwen
Illustrator: R.W. Alley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Three resourceful New York City mice take on the challenges of a unique museum and set the art world agog.
The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman
by Darcy Pattison
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An actual man made of wood, through the kindness of strangers, makes a journey across America. It's recounted through postcards.
by Darcy Pattison
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An actual man made of wood, through the kindness of strangers, makes a journey across America. It's recounted through postcards.
The Magic Gourd
written and ill. by Baba Wagué Diakité
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Brother Rabbit's generosity overcomes the cruelty of a greedy king in this tale from Mali. Traditional illustrations.
written and ill. by Baba Wagué Diakité
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Brother Rabbit's generosity overcomes the cruelty of a greedy king in this tale from Mali. Traditional illustrations.
The Name Quilt
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Margot Apple
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Sadie and Grandmother share stories about their family members on a quilt. The quilt blows away, but the stories go on! Beautifully illustrated.
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Margot Apple
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Sadie and Grandmother share stories about their family members on a quilt. The quilt blows away, but the stories go on! Beautifully illustrated.
The Perfect Puppy for Me!
by Jane O'Connor
Illustrator: Jessie Hartland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Depicts and describes various breeds to aid in the search for the “perfect dog.”
by Jane O'Connor
Illustrator: Jessie Hartland
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Depicts and describes various breeds to aid in the search for the “perfect dog.”
The Printer
by Myron Uhlberg
Illustrator: Henri Sørensen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A boy's recollection of the day his deaf father saved the lives of his co-workers after a fire broke out at the newspaper printing plant.
by Myron Uhlberg
Illustrator: Henri Sørensen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A boy's recollection of the day his deaf father saved the lives of his co-workers after a fire broke out at the newspaper printing plant.
There's a Frog In My Throat!
by Loreen Leedy
Illustrator: Loreen Leedy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Similes, metaphors, idioms, proverbs--familiar and new, all involving animals. Clever, colorful illustrations.
by Loreen Leedy
Illustrator: Loreen Leedy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Similes, metaphors, idioms, proverbs--familiar and new, all involving animals. Clever, colorful illustrations.
The Secret of the First One Up
by Iris Hiskey Arno
Illustrator: Renée Graef
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the help of her grandfather, Lila, the groundhog, discovers the answer to the secret of what happens after winter's hibernation.
by Iris Hiskey Arno
Illustrator: Renée Graef
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the help of her grandfather, Lila, the groundhog, discovers the answer to the secret of what happens after winter's hibernation.
The Secret Remedy Book
by Karin Cates
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Ways to feel better when homesick or blue. Detailed illustrations and heart-warming text.
by Karin Cates
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Ways to feel better when homesick or blue. Detailed illustrations and heart-warming text.
The Seven Chinese Sisters
by Kathy Tucker
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Humorous update on the familiar tale as six uniquely talented sisters rescue the seventh from a hungry dragon. Engagingly illustrated.
by Kathy Tucker
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Humorous update on the familiar tale as six uniquely talented sisters rescue the seventh from a hungry dragon. Engagingly illustrated.
The Shape Game
written and ill. by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Creative approach to a family's visit to the Tate Gallery by this innovative illustrator.
written and ill. by Anthony Browne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Creative approach to a family's visit to the Tate Gallery by this innovative illustrator.
The Shoemaker Extraordinaire
written and ill. by Steve Light
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A clever twiston the folktale. Vivid mixed media illustrations.
written and ill. by Steve Light
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A clever twiston the folktale. Vivid mixed media illustrations.
The Star People
written and ill. by S.D. Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When Young Wolf and Sister Girl become separated from their tribe, their sky ancestors guide them home. Colorful acrylic paintings.
written and ill. by S.D. Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When Young Wolf and Sister Girl become separated from their tribe, their sky ancestors guide them home. Colorful acrylic paintings.
The Trouble with Normal
written and ill. by Charise Mericle Harper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Finnigan, an observant squirrel, hopes to become a secret service agent. Engaging text and creative collage art.
written and ill. by Charise Mericle Harper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Finnigan, an observant squirrel, hopes to become a secret service agent. Engaging text and creative collage art.
The Wondrous Whirligig
written and ill. by Andrew Glass
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Growing up in a family that encouraged investigation of whatever aroused their curiosity led to an amazing invention.Whimsical illustrations.
written and ill. by Andrew Glass
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Growing up in a family that encouraged investigation of whatever aroused their curiosity led to an amazing invention.Whimsical illustrations.
Three Samurai Cats
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Zen Buddhist tale of a feudal lord who tries to rid his castle of a giant rat.
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Zen Buddhist tale of a feudal lord who tries to rid his castle of a giant rat.
Thumbelina
retold and ill. by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Attractive, fresh but traditional retelling of the Andersen fairy tale about one tiny creature.
retold and ill. by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Attractive, fresh but traditional retelling of the Andersen fairy tale about one tiny creature.
Thunder Rose
by Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An African-American girl tames the Wild West--captures a gang of rustlers, turns aside a tornado and more!
by Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
An African-American girl tames the Wild West--captures a gang of rustlers, turns aside a tornado and more!
Tippy Lemmey
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Susan Keeter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Three children work to get rid of a dog that chases them constantly, but one day they are pleased with his company.
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Susan Keeter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Three children work to get rid of a dog that chases them constantly, but one day they are pleased with his company.
Trudi & Pia
by Ursula Hegi
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A beautiful tale of feeling singled out and wanting to belong.
by Ursula Hegi
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A beautiful tale of feeling singled out and wanting to belong.
Two Old Potatoes and Me
by John Coy
Illustrator: Carolyn Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A girl and her dad plant two old potatoes and nurture them and each other. Witty, imaginative illustrations.
by John Coy
Illustrator: Carolyn Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A girl and her dad plant two old potatoes and nurture them and each other. Witty, imaginative illustrations.
Uncle Andy's
by James Warhola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Andy Warhol's nephew shares an inspiring boyhood visit with his uncle. Clever text and detailed illustrations.
by James Warhola
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Andy Warhol's nephew shares an inspiring boyhood visit with his uncle. Clever text and detailed illustrations.