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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Cosmo and the Robot
written and ill. by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Life on Mars gets pretty exciting when Cosmo saves his sister from a monster, once a friendly robot.
written and ill. by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Life on Mars gets pretty exciting when Cosmo saves his sister from a monster, once a friendly robot.
Crab Moon
by Ruth Horowitz
Illustrator: Kate Kiesler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A boy sees hundreds of horseshoe crabs spawning on the sunlit and moonlit beach. Luminous paintings.
by Ruth Horowitz
Illustrator: Kate Kiesler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A boy sees hundreds of horseshoe crabs spawning on the sunlit and moonlit beach. Luminous paintings.
Crazy Horse's Vision
by Joseph Bruchac
Illustrator: S.D. Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Legendary tale of the young boy who grew up to be one of the great leaders of the Lakota tribe.
by Joseph Bruchac
Illustrator: S.D. Nelson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Legendary tale of the young boy who grew up to be one of the great leaders of the Lakota tribe.
Crickwing
written and ill. by Janell Cannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Crickwing, an artistic cockroach with a crooked wing, helps save the leafcutter ants from their ferocious enemies. Includes notes on the insects. Wonderfully illustrated.
written and ill. by Janell Cannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Crickwing, an artistic cockroach with a crooked wing, helps save the leafcutter ants from their ferocious enemies. Includes notes on the insects. Wonderfully illustrated.
Daisy and the Doll
by Michael Medearis
Illustrator: Larry Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
At a last-day exercise, an African-American girl gives an impromptu and passionate plea against racism. Based on a true event.
by Michael Medearis
Illustrator: Larry Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
At a last-day exercise, an African-American girl gives an impromptu and passionate plea against racism. Based on a true event.
Dear Whiskers
by Ann Whitehead Nagda
Illustrator: Stephanie Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A fourth grader hates having to write a letter pretending she is a mouse. Even worse, her second grade pen pal won't write back.
by Ann Whitehead Nagda
Illustrator: Stephanie Roth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A fourth grader hates having to write a letter pretending she is a mouse. Even worse, her second grade pen pal won't write back.
Deep in the Jungle
written and ill. by Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A lion's trip to the big city brings regrets and reformation. Wry illustrations.
written and ill. by Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A lion's trip to the big city brings regrets and reformation. Wry illustrations.
Dirt Boy
by Erik Jon Slangerup
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
When Fister runs away to escape his baths, he meets a filthy giant, who changes his perspective on dirt.
by Erik Jon Slangerup
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
When Fister runs away to escape his baths, he meets a filthy giant, who changes his perspective on dirt.
Eddy's Dream
by Miriam Cohen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
It takes some effort, but the children in Cordelia's class pull a reluctant and obstreporous Eddy into their play.
by Miriam Cohen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
It takes some effort, but the children in Cordelia's class pull a reluctant and obstreporous Eddy into their play.
Eight Animals on the Town
by Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator: Lee Chapman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
What each animal does on a trip to market. A lively blend of English and Spanish in rhyme. Engaging illustrations.
by Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator: Lee Chapman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
What each animal does on a trip to market. A lively blend of English and Spanish in rhyme. Engaging illustrations.
Esmeralda and the Children Next Door
by Jenny Nimmo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An unusually strong child longs for acceptance by the children next door who are afraid of her at first. Bold whimsical illustrations.
by Jenny Nimmo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An unusually strong child longs for acceptance by the children next door who are afraid of her at first. Bold whimsical illustrations.
Fair, Brown & Trembling
written and ill. by Jude Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
With the help of a henwife, Trembling wins the hand of her Prince, not by going to the ball, but to church. Colorful folk art illustrations.
written and ill. by Jude Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
With the help of a henwife, Trembling wins the hand of her Prince, not by going to the ball, but to church. Colorful folk art illustrations.
Faraway Home
by Jane Kurtz
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A father tells his daughter about his homeland before returning there to visit his mother. A beautiful tale of immigrant worlds.
by Jane Kurtz
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A father tells his daughter about his homeland before returning there to visit his mother. A beautiful tale of immigrant worlds.
F is for Freedom
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: C.B. Mordan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An escaping slave family in 1850 gets help from ten-year-old Amanda at a stop on the Underground Railroad.
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: C.B. Mordan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An escaping slave family in 1850 gets help from ten-year-old Amanda at a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Flora the Frog
by Shirley Isherwood
Illustrator: Anna C. Leplar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Embarrassed by her assigned role as a frog in the school play, Flora accepts her part when she observes the real thing.
by Shirley Isherwood
Illustrator: Anna C. Leplar
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Embarrassed by her assigned role as a frog in the school play, Flora accepts her part when she observes the real thing.
Fly, Eagle, Fly!
retold by Christopher Gregorowski
Illustrator: Niki Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An eagle learns to soar upward. Foreword by Archbishop Tutu encourages children to do the same. Spectacular illustrations.
retold by Christopher Gregorowski
Illustrator: Niki Daly
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An eagle learns to soar upward. Foreword by Archbishop Tutu encourages children to do the same. Spectacular illustrations.
George and Diggety
by Maggie Stern
Illustrator: Blanche Sims
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Three short stories about George and his dog Diggety who isn't genius enough to pass a canine IQ test, but knows enough to prefer hamburgers to dog biscuits.
by Maggie Stern
Illustrator: Blanche Sims
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Three short stories about George and his dog Diggety who isn't genius enough to pass a canine IQ test, but knows enough to prefer hamburgers to dog biscuits.
Gershon's Monster
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A Hasidic legend about sin and wickedness. Watercolor illustrations.
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A Hasidic legend about sin and wickedness. Watercolor illustrations.
Good Night, Good Knight
ill. by Jennifer Plecas
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Three little dragons are helped to go to sleep in this amusing, repetitive tale. Perky watercolor and ink drawings.
ill. by Jennifer Plecas
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Three little dragons are helped to go to sleep in this amusing, repetitive tale. Perky watercolor and ink drawings.
Grandpa's Corner Store
written and ill. by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A small grocery store survives the arrival of a new giant store. A loving portrait of community caring.
written and ill. by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A small grocery store survives the arrival of a new giant store. A loving portrait of community caring.
Grizz!
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Andrew Glass
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
After never washing or cutting his hair for seven years Lucky gets the girl.
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Andrew Glass
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
After never washing or cutting his hair for seven years Lucky gets the girl.
Gus and Grandpa and Show-and-Tell
by Claudia Mills
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Grandpa's story helps Gus with his school assignment.
by Claudia Mills
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Grandpa's story helps Gus with his school assignment.
Halmoni's Day
by Edna Coe Bercaw
Illustrator: Robert Hunt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Jennifer wonders how Halmoni can share a story with her class on Grandparents' Day sinceHalmoni speaks no English. Enhanced by warm oil paintings.
by Edna Coe Bercaw
Illustrator: Robert Hunt
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Jennifer wonders how Halmoni can share a story with her class on Grandparents' Day sinceHalmoni speaks no English. Enhanced by warm oil paintings.
Hillary to the Rescue
written and ill. by Kathy Caple
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
When young travellers are caught in a storm, Hillary is the only one prepared.
written and ill. by Kathy Caple
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
When young travellers are caught in a storm, Hillary is the only one prepared.
Hog Music
by M.C. Helldorfer
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Great Aunt Liza's birthday gift has many adventures on its way to lucy in this unusual tale.
by M.C. Helldorfer
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Great Aunt Liza's birthday gift has many adventures on its way to lucy in this unusual tale.