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 Porcupine Mouse
by Bonnie Pryor
Illustrator: Mary Jane Begin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Louie and Dan leave Mama Mouse's house to find one of their own.
by Bonnie Pryor
Illustrator: Mary Jane Begin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Louie and Dan leave Mama Mouse's house to find one of their own.
The Problem with Pelly
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Pelly feels different from her Martian classmates until a famous visitor helps her realize she is special. Witty and warm.
by Shana Corey
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Pelly feels different from her Martian classmates until a famous visitor helps her realize she is special. Witty and warm.
The Rabbit and the Dragon King
retold by Daniel San Souci
Illustrator: Eujin Kim Neilan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
After being tricked by a turtle, the rabbit manages to save himself and the king.
retold by Daniel San Souci
Illustrator: Eujin Kim Neilan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
After being tricked by a turtle, the rabbit manages to save himself and the king.
The Range Eternal
by Louise Erdrich
Illustrator: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The woodstove evokes childhood memories, experiences and the connections between generations.
by Louise Erdrich
Illustrator: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The woodstove evokes childhood memories, experiences and the connections between generations.
The Real, True Dulcie Campbell
by Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: R. W. Alley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Farm-girl Dulcie is certain that she was really born a princess and sets out to find her true family.
by Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: R. W. Alley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Farm-girl Dulcie is certain that she was really born a princess and sets out to find her true family.
The Recess Queen
by Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A new little girl turns a playground bully into a friend. Rhythmic text and funny, quirky illustrations.
by Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A new little girl turns a playground bully into a friend. Rhythmic text and funny, quirky illustrations.
The Rich Man and the Shoemaker
by Jean de la Fontaine
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A wealthy merchant tempts a shoemaker who discovers that wealth doesn't buy peace of mind. Charmingly told and illustrated.
by Jean de la Fontaine
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A wealthy merchant tempts a shoemaker who discovers that wealth doesn't buy peace of mind. Charmingly told and illustrated.
The Rumor: A Jataka Tale from India
written and ill. by Jan Thornhill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The Chicken Little story with a wise Buddha-inspired conclusion. Luminous illustrations in the style of Persian miniatures.
written and ill. by Jan Thornhill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The Chicken Little story with a wise Buddha-inspired conclusion. Luminous illustrations in the style of Persian miniatures.
The Saturday Escape
written and ill. by Daniel J. Mahoney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Three young animals try to get out of their Saturday jobs. Captivating illustrations.
written and ill. by Daniel J. Mahoney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Three young animals try to get out of their Saturday jobs. Captivating illustrations.
The Sea Chest
by Toni Buzzeo
Illustrator: Mary GrandPre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While awaiting her adopted sibling, a young girl listens to the story of the baby found near the lighthouse after a storm. Beautiful oil paintings capture the mood,
by Toni Buzzeo
Illustrator: Mary GrandPre
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While awaiting her adopted sibling, a young girl listens to the story of the baby found near the lighthouse after a storm. Beautiful oil paintings capture the mood,
The Snake's Tales
by Marguerite W. Davol
Illustrator: Yumi Heo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In a time before stories, snake with a talent for telling tales charms two children.
by Marguerite W. Davol
Illustrator: Yumi Heo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In a time before stories, snake with a talent for telling tales charms two children.
The Teddy Bear
written and ill. by David McPhail
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A homeless man finds and loves a little boy's lost bear.
written and ill. by David McPhail
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A homeless man finds and loves a little boy's lost bear.
The Witch Who Wanted to Be a Princess
by Lois G. Grambling
Illustrator: Judy Love
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Every girl can find her prince. Delightful.
by Lois G. Grambling
Illustrator: Judy Love
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Every girl can find her prince. Delightful.
The Woman Who Won Things
by Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Mrs. Gaskitt gets very very lucky. Hilarious adventure
by Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Mrs. Gaskitt gets very very lucky. Hilarious adventure
The Wonders of Donal O'Donnell
by Gary Schmidt
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Four linked Irish tales depicting a poor husband and wife coping with the loss of their son.
by Gary Schmidt
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Four linked Irish tales depicting a poor husband and wife coping with the loss of their son.
They Called Her Molly Pitcher
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Cynthia von Buhler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Molly Hays McCauly's role in the American Revolution. Delightful folkloric paintings.
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Cynthia von Buhler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Molly Hays McCauly's role in the American Revolution. Delightful folkloric paintings.
This Book Is Haunted
by Joanne Rocklin
Illustrator: JoAnn Adinolfi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Six short, spooky Halloween stories provide humor and chills.
by Joanne Rocklin
Illustrator: JoAnn Adinolfi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Six short, spooky Halloween stories provide humor and chills.
Tina and the Penguin
by Heather Dyer
Illustrator: Mireille Levert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Tina helps a penguin escape from the zoo. Keeping it in her bedroom proves quite a problem.
by Heather Dyer
Illustrator: Mireille Levert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Tina helps a penguin escape from the zoo. Keeping it in her bedroom proves quite a problem.
Togo
written and ill. by Robert J. Blake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In 1925, a Siberian husky leads his sled to help deliver diphtheria vaccine to Nome, Alaska. Atmospheric paintings.
written and ill. by Robert J. Blake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In 1925, a Siberian husky leads his sled to help deliver diphtheria vaccine to Nome, Alaska. Atmospheric paintings.
Tom Mouse
by Ursula K. Le Guin
Illustrator: Julie Downing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A hobo rat encourages Tom Mouse to board a train and travel. Tom finds food, comfort and a lovely travel companion.
by Ursula K. Le Guin
Illustrator: Julie Downing
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A hobo rat encourages Tom Mouse to board a train and travel. Tom finds food, comfort and a lovely travel companion.
Turkey Riddles
by Katy Hall
Illustrator: Kristin Sorra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Three dozen riddles featuring the gobbler.
by Katy Hall
Illustrator: Kristin Sorra
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Three dozen riddles featuring the gobbler.
Turtle and Snake Fix It
written and ill. by Kate Spohn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Turtle uses his new tools to help snake do home repairs with hilarious consequences.
written and ill. by Kate Spohn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Turtle uses his new tools to help snake do home repairs with hilarious consequences.
Under the Quilt of Night
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A young Black girl leads her loved ones from slavery to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Poetic narrative, powerful illustrations.
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A young Black girl leads her loved ones from slavery to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Poetic narrative, powerful illustrations.
Vampire State Building
by Elizabeth Levy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While Sam's Romanian friend plays in the chess tournament in New York City , he reveals a secret to Sam.
by Elizabeth Levy
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While Sam's Romanian friend plays in the chess tournament in New York City , he reveals a secret to Sam.
Visiting Day
by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A celebration of family by a young girl who makes a monthly visit to Daddy in prison.
by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A celebration of family by a young girl who makes a monthly visit to Daddy in prison.