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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Where Fish Go in Winter
by Amy Goldman Koss
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Why onions make us cry, why turtles don't leave their shells and other questions are answered in verse Charming illustrations.
by Amy Goldman Koss
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Why onions make us cry, why turtles don't leave their shells and other questions are answered in verse Charming illustrations.
Yonder Mountain
as told by Robert H. Bushyhead
Illustrator: Kristina Rodanas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A wise tale that asks what it takes to be a leader.
as told by Robert H. Bushyhead
Illustrator: Kristina Rodanas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A wise tale that asks what it takes to be a leader.
Zathura
written and ill. by Chris Van Allsburg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
After finding a board game, two brothers embark on a strange and wild space adventure.
written and ill. by Chris Van Allsburg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
After finding a board game, two brothers embark on a strange and wild space adventure.
A Bus of Our Own
by Freddi Williams Evans
Illustrator: Shawn Costello
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
In the 1950's. African-American children who have to walk five miles to school each way, struggle to find transportation.
by Freddi Williams Evans
Illustrator: Shawn Costello
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
In the 1950's. African-American children who have to walk five miles to school each way, struggle to find transportation.
A Castle on Viola Street
written and ill. by DyAnne DiSalvo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Andy helps his parents renovate a derelict house for a neighbor, and in turn the family realizes its dream of owning a house. Mixed media illustrations.
written and ill. by DyAnne DiSalvo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Andy helps his parents renovate a derelict house for a neighbor, and in turn the family realizes its dream of owning a house. Mixed media illustrations.
A Cloak for the Moon
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Katya Krenina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Haskel seeks the secret to a magical garment. An old Hasidic tale.
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Katya Krenina
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Haskel seeks the secret to a magical garment. An old Hasidic tale.
A Fiddle for Angus
by Budge Wilson
Illustrator: Susan Tooke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
In Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Angus yearns to join the family music-making, but which instrument should he choose?
by Budge Wilson
Illustrator: Susan Tooke
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
In Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Angus yearns to join the family music-making, but which instrument should he choose?
A Fine, Fine School
by Sharon Creech
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
When being in school is such a fine, fine thing, why not stay there all the time?
by Sharon Creech
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
When being in school is such a fine, fine thing, why not stay there all the time?
A Gift from the Sea
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Georg Hallensleben
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
The origin of a rock found in the sea. Simply illustrated and beautifully told.
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Georg Hallensleben
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
The origin of a rock found in the sea. Simply illustrated and beautifully told.
Albert
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
When a pair of cardinals nest in his hand, reclusive Albert finds his life changed. Quirky and delightful.
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
When a pair of cardinals nest in his hand, reclusive Albert finds his life changed. Quirky and delightful.
A Mile from Ellington Station
written and ill. by Tim Egan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A sly and amusing tale of pride and crowd behavior, with a cast of dogs, cats, bears and pigs.
written and ill. by Tim Egan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A sly and amusing tale of pride and crowd behavior, with a cast of dogs, cats, bears and pigs.
And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon
by Janet Stevens
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Dog, cat and cow go after the runaway pair in a satirical look at Mother Goose. Humorous paintings, entertaining maps.
by Janet Stevens
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Dog, cat and cow go after the runaway pair in a satirical look at Mother Goose. Humorous paintings, entertaining maps.
Anna on the Farm
by Mary Downing Hahn
Illustrator: Diane De Groat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
In 1914, Baltimore city-slicker Anna, aged nine, spends a week in the country.
by Mary Downing Hahn
Illustrator: Diane De Groat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
In 1914, Baltimore city-slicker Anna, aged nine, spends a week in the country.
Awful Ogre's Awful Day
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A delightful, rhymed look at a day in the life of an ogre.
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A delightful, rhymed look at a day in the life of an ogre.
Beatrice's Goat
by Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
The significant changes in African village life after the gift of a goat. Evocative acrylic paintings.
by Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
The significant changes in African village life after the gift of a goat. Evocative acrylic paintings.
Bluebird Summer
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Bethanne Andersen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Reviving a garden and building bluebird houses help two children and their grandfather deal with the loss of Grandma.
by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Bethanne Andersen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Reviving a garden and building bluebird houses help two children and their grandfather deal with the loss of Grandma.
Bridget and the Gray Wolves
written and ill. by Pija Lindenbaum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Timid Bridget proves her mettle when she is lost in the woods. Outlandish and funny.
written and ill. by Pija Lindenbaum
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Timid Bridget proves her mettle when she is lost in the woods. Outlandish and funny.
Caleb's Story
by Patricia MacLachlan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A delicate story of accepting and loving others in spite of their flaws. Third in the Sarah Plain and Tall series.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A delicate story of accepting and loving others in spite of their flaws. Third in the Sarah Plain and Tall series.
Captain and Matey Set Sail
by Daniel Laurence
Illustrator: Claudio Muñoz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Two new pirates are learning their trade in this warm and funny book.
by Daniel Laurence
Illustrator: Claudio Muñoz
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Two new pirates are learning their trade in this warm and funny book.
Cats, Cats, Cats!
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Erika Oller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Mrs. Brown had no chickens, she had no rats. What Mrs. Brown had were cats! Whimsical watercolors.
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Erika Oller
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Mrs. Brown had no chickens, she had no rats. What Mrs. Brown had were cats! Whimsical watercolors.
Children of the Dragon
by Sherry Garland
Illustrator: Trina Schart Hyman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Beautifully told and illustrated tales from Vietnam.
by Sherry Garland
Illustrator: Trina Schart Hyman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Beautifully told and illustrated tales from Vietnam.
Circus Girl
written and ill. by Tomek Bogacki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
The exciting presence and kindness of a new girl from the circus leads two boys to become friends.
written and ill. by Tomek Bogacki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
The exciting presence and kindness of a new girl from the circus leads two boys to become friends.
Clarice Bean Guess Who's Babysitting?
written and ill. by Lauren Child
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
When Uncle Ted babysits, almost anything can happen! Lively, whimsical, funny.
written and ill. by Lauren Child
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
When Uncle Ted babysits, almost anything can happen! Lively, whimsical, funny.
Clever Beatrice
by Margaret Willey
Illustrator: Heather Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A tall tale from Michigan's upper peninsula features a resourceful heroine and a dumb, but wealthy giant.
by Margaret Willey
Illustrator: Heather Solomon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
A tall tale from Michigan's upper peninsula features a resourceful heroine and a dumb, but wealthy giant.
Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Farmer Brown's cows type notes demanding changes in the barn. Hilarious illustrations.
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2001
Farmer Brown's cows type notes demanding changes in the barn. Hilarious illustrations.