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 Raft
written and ill. by Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Nicky's grandmother helps him to become aware of the natural world around him. Sensitively told and beautifully illustrated.
written and ill. by Jim LaMarche
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Nicky's grandmother helps him to become aware of the natural world around him. Sensitively told and beautifully illustrated.
The Rain Came Down
written and ill. by David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Grouchiness spreads through an entire town when it rains, but clears up nicely with the sunshine.
written and ill. by David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Grouchiness spreads through an entire town when it rains, but clears up nicely with the sunshine.
There's a Zoo in Room 22
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Meet 26 class pets in this rhyming romp through the ABC's.
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Meet 26 class pets in this rhyming romp through the ABC's.
The Royal Bee
by Frances Park
Illustrator: Christopher Zhong-Yuan Zhang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The power of education granted to a poor boy in nineteenth century Korea.
by Frances Park
Illustrator: Christopher Zhong-Yuan Zhang
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The power of education granted to a poor boy in nineteenth century Korea.
The Runaway Tortilla
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A “spicy”retelling of the Gingerbread Man as a counting book, with a delightful refrain and appealing illustrations.
by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A “spicy”retelling of the Gingerbread Man as a counting book, with a delightful refrain and appealing illustrations.
The Saturday Kid
written and ill. by Edward Sorel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Set in 1930s New York City, a young boy's problems with a bully are eased by Saturday matinee movies--and the mayor.
written and ill. by Edward Sorel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Set in 1930s New York City, a young boy's problems with a bully are eased by Saturday matinee movies--and the mayor.
The Secret Footprints
by Julia Alvarez
Illustrator: Fabian Negrin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Original Dominican folktale about the ciguapas, a tribe of people who live under water and don't want to be discovered.
by Julia Alvarez
Illustrator: Fabian Negrin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Original Dominican folktale about the ciguapas, a tribe of people who live under water and don't want to be discovered.
The Shaking Bag
by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Illustrator: Aminah Brenda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Generosity is rewarded in a modern folktale of an old woman and a raven.
by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Illustrator: Aminah Brenda
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Generosity is rewarded in a modern folktale of an old woman and a raven.
The Shipwrecked Sailor
written and ill. by Tamara Bower
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A sailor finds himself stranded by a storm in a land of enchantment. Based on a story from an ancient papyrus scroll. Egyptian-style illustrations.
written and ill. by Tamara Bower
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A sailor finds himself stranded by a storm in a land of enchantment. Based on a story from an ancient papyrus scroll. Egyptian-style illustrations.
The Snow Child
retold by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrator: Julia Zanes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A Russian folktale about a snow child who comes to life. Pleasant, colorful collages.
retold by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrator: Julia Zanes
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A Russian folktale about a snow child who comes to life. Pleasant, colorful collages.
The Trip Back Home
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: Bo Jia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A young girl describes her trip to Korea to visit family. Descriptive watercolors.
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: Bo Jia
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A young girl describes her trip to Korea to visit family. Descriptive watercolors.
The Two Brothers
by William Jaspersohn
Illustrator: Michael A. Donato
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The life of two brothers from Prussia who are reunited on Vermont farms. Based on a family history, with lush, evocative illustrations.
by William Jaspersohn
Illustrator: Michael A. Donato
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The life of two brothers from Prussia who are reunited on Vermont farms. Based on a family history, with lush, evocative illustrations.
The Two Mountains
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Leonard Everett Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
For disobeying his father the sun god, Ixcoçauqui becomes earthbound. Gloriously illustrated in vibrant hues.
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Leonard Everett Fisher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
For disobeying his father the sun god, Ixcoçauqui becomes earthbound. Gloriously illustrated in vibrant hues.
The Two Sillies
by Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Lynne Cravath
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Two friends take the long way around to getting what they want.
by Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Lynne Cravath
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Two friends take the long way around to getting what they want.
The Year of Miss Agnes
by Kirkpatrick Hill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A small Native American community in Alaska gets a new teacher--a teacher like no other.
by Kirkpatrick Hill
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A small Native American community in Alaska gets a new teacher--a teacher like no other.
Three More Stories You Can Read to Your Dog
by Sara Swan Miller
Illustrator: True Kelley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A vet visit, a walking “rock”, and...the BATH! All from a dog's point of view. Humorous illustrarions.
by Sara Swan Miller
Illustrator: True Kelley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A vet visit, a walking “rock”, and...the BATH! All from a dog's point of view. Humorous illustrarions.
Tituba
by William Miller
Illustrator: Leonard Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Story of the West Indian slave unjustly accused of witchcraft in Salem during the 1692 trials. Colorful illustrations reflect drama and emotion.
by William Miller
Illustrator: Leonard Jenkins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Story of the West Indian slave unjustly accused of witchcraft in Salem during the 1692 trials. Colorful illustrations reflect drama and emotion.
Uptown
written and ill. by Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A boy's beloved Harlem, vividly depicted in paintings, collage and photography.
written and ill. by Bryan Collier
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A boy's beloved Harlem, vividly depicted in paintings, collage and photography.
Vera Runs Away
written and ill. by Vera Rosenberry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
When her family is too busy to celebrate her perfect report card, Vera runs away to look for a more appreciative family.
written and ill. by Vera Rosenberry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
When her family is too busy to celebrate her perfect report card, Vera runs away to look for a more appreciative family.
Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys
by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
In Reconstruction-era Tennessee, a spunky little girl persuades her family to let her attend school with her brothers. Lovely illustrations.
by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
In Reconstruction-era Tennessee, a spunky little girl persuades her family to let her attend school with her brothers. Lovely illustrations.
Way Out West with a Baby
written and ill. by Mike Brownlow
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Silly rhymed story of three tough cowboys who are not so vicious when they find a baby.
written and ill. by Mike Brownlow
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Silly rhymed story of three tough cowboys who are not so vicious when they find a baby.
Weird Stories from the Lonesome Cafe
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Diane Kidd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The customers at Sam's uncle's restaurant are many and varied in this humorous early chapter book.
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Diane Kidd
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The customers at Sam's uncle's restaurant are many and varied in this humorous early chapter book.
When I Feel Angry
by Cornelia Maude Spellman
Illustrator: Nancy Cote
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An angry rabbit learns to cope with and express feelings. Excellent introduction for parents.
by Cornelia Maude Spellman
Illustrator: Nancy Cote
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An angry rabbit learns to cope with and express feelings. Excellent introduction for parents.
Who's Got Spots?
by Linda W. Aber
Illustrator: Gioia Fiammenghi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Worried about having enough actors, a class graphs the number of students who will not have chicken pox the night of the performance.
by Linda W. Aber
Illustrator: Gioia Fiammenghi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Worried about having enough actors, a class graphs the number of students who will not have chicken pox the night of the performance.
Win or Lose by How You Choose!
by Judge Judy Sheindlin
Illustrator: Bob Tore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Thirty-six examples of everyday problems any child may face, with solutions suggested.
by Judge Judy Sheindlin
Illustrator: Bob Tore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Thirty-six examples of everyday problems any child may face, with solutions suggested.