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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Heaven's All Star Jazz Band
by Don Carter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
His grandson imagines Grandpa Jack having fun in heaven with all his favorite jazz musicians. Vibrant poetry and illustrations.

Here We Go Round
by Alice McGill
Illustrator: Shane Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Seven-year-old Roberta spends time with her grandparents while she gets ready to welcome her new brother.

Horace and Morris Join the Chorus: (but what about Delores?)
by James Howe
Illustrator: Amy Walrod
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
After being excluded from the school chorus, lonely Delores finds a way to be accepted.

How the Fisherman Tricked the Genie
by Kitoba Sunami
Illustrator: Amiko Hirao
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A humble fisherman uses his storytelling skills to outwit his adversary.

If the Shoe Fits
by Gary Soto
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Rigo is tired of wearing hand-me-downs, but then he gets to hand down some of his own clothes.

Indian Shoes
by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The problems and pleasures of an Indian boy and his grandfather living in modern day Chicago.

Iris and Walter, The Sleepover
by Elissa Haden Guest
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A young girl's sleepover at her best friends house ends early when she becomes homesick. Supportive friends and family understand. Appealing illustrations.

Jason Rat-a-tat
by Colby Rodowsky
Illustrator: Beth Peck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Jason has trouble fitting into his sports-loving family. Things change when Grandad recognizes his talent for drumming.

Joe Cinders
by Marianne Mitchell
Illustrator: Bryan Langdo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A mysterious man helps Joe Cinders go to a fiesta but he must leave at midnight. A new twist to the Cinderella tale.

Judy Moody Saves The World
by Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Peter Reynolds
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Judy's occasional bad moods don't deter her from discovering a way her third grade class can help save rain forests.

Katie's Wish
by Barbara Shook Hazen
Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Heart-warming tale of one Irish family's plight during the devastating potato famine of the 1840s.

Lapin Plays Possum
adapted by Sharon Arms Doucet
Illustrator: Scott Cook
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
An antecedent of the Brer Rabbit tales. African storytelling transplanted to Creole culture.

Let's Clean Up!
by Peggy Perry Anderson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Mother and Joe have different ideas of what defines a clean room. Delightful.

Little Horse
by Betsy Byars
Illustrator: David McPhail
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A tiny horse falls into a stream and is swept away to a dangerous adventure.

Little Yau
written and ill. by Janell Cannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
When Trupp falls ill, the Wise Ones and L.Y. enter the human world seeking the herb that will cure him.

Lucky Boy
written and ill. by Susan Boase
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A lonely dog didn't start out Lucky. He was just ‘Boy' until one day when he tunnels under the fence.

Lulu's Hat
written and ill. by Susan Meddaugh
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The magic hat Lulu finds allows her to perform amazing tricks, but it takes on a life of its own. An imaginative romp.

Micawber
by John Lithgow
Illustrator: C.F. Payne
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Delightful tale of an art-loving squirrel in Central Park.

Minnie and Moo and the Potato from Planet X
written and ill. by Denys Cazet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Two friendly cows try to help Spud, the potato-shaped alien, get back into space in time to save the galaxy.

Monkey for Sale
written and ill. by Sanna Stanley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
On market day, two friends embark on a chain of barters to rescue a wild monkey on sale.

My Chinatown
written and ill. by Kam Mak
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A young boy from Hong Kong adjusts to his new home in New York City's Chinatown. Simple revealing illustrations.

My Grandmother's Clock
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Illustrator: Stephen Lambert
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Ways to think about time. Gentle story, lushly illustrated.

North Pole South Pole
by Nancy Smiler Levinson
Illustrator: Diane Dawson Hearn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The geography, climate and inhabitants of the Polar Regions.

Oh No, Noah!
by Johanna Hurwitz
Illustrator: Mike Reed
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
After moving, Noah faces challenges trying to make new friends.

Old Shell, New Shell
written and ill. by Helen Ward
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A hermit crab searches for a larger shell-just like his own. Beautiful detailed and realisic illustrations.