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 Sound of Day, The Sound of Night
by Mary O'Neill
Illustrator: Cynthia Jabar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A family awaits a “new addition.” Lively illustrations.
by Mary O'Neill
Illustrator: Cynthia Jabar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A family awaits a “new addition.” Lively illustrations.
The Spiffiest Giant in Town
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A generous giant shares his new finery with animals in need, sacrificing stylish looks for friendship.
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A generous giant shares his new finery with animals in need, sacrificing stylish looks for friendship.
The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-To-Be
written and ill. by Mini Grey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
The favorite tale from the vegetable's perspective. Whimsical illustrations.
written and ill. by Mini Grey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
The favorite tale from the vegetable's perspective. Whimsical illustrations.
Three Pebbles and a Song
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Though his family urges him to gather food for the snowy winter ahead, young mouse is easily distracted. But what he does gather proves to be very useful.
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Though his family urges him to gather food for the snowy winter ahead, young mouse is easily distracted. But what he does gather proves to be very useful.
Time to Pee!
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A humorous and straightforward look at potty training.
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A humorous and straightforward look at potty training.
Tippintown: a guided tour
written and ill. by Calef Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A lyrical romp through a colorful city of hip characters and unusual places. Imaginative illustrations.
written and ill. by Calef Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A lyrical romp through a colorful city of hip characters and unusual places. Imaginative illustrations.
Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!
by George Shannon
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Speedy little Chick outwits grumpy Dog, enabling Chick's family to eat their fill in the garden. Simple, colorful illustrations.
by George Shannon
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Speedy little Chick outwits grumpy Dog, enabling Chick's family to eat their fill in the garden. Simple, colorful illustrations.
Toes, Ears, & Nose!
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Karen Katz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Parts of the body in an interactive and fun format. A lift-the-flap board book.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Karen Katz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Parts of the body in an interactive and fun format. A lift-the-flap board book.
Too Many Pears!
by Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Clever Amy figures out how to save the pear tree from the insatiable cow.
by Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Clever Amy figures out how to save the pear tree from the insatiable cow.
Tracks in the Snow
written and ill. by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A little girl follows tracks in the snow to discover who made them.
written and ill. by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A little girl follows tracks in the snow to discover who made them.
Two Eggs, Please
by Sarah Weeks
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
At the local diner, various characters discover that, while made differently, inside they are the same. Clever illustrations.
by Sarah Weeks
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
At the local diner, various characters discover that, while made differently, inside they are the same. Clever illustrations.
Very Hairy Harry
by Edward Koren
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Harry decides on a haircut after exploring the ups and downs of a furry life. Clever, funny illustrations.
by Edward Koren
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Harry decides on a haircut after exploring the ups and downs of a furry life. Clever, funny illustrations.
Waggle
written and ill. by Sarah McMenemy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A new puppy's behavior suggests his name.
written and ill. by Sarah McMenemy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A new puppy's behavior suggests his name.
Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Wemberly worries that her ice cream pop may drip on her new dress.
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Wemberly worries that her ice cream pop may drip on her new dress.
Whale Snow
by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Illustrator: Annie Patterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Life in an Iñupiaq community where whaling is central to survival and culture. Beautiful watercolors.
by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Illustrator: Annie Patterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Life in an Iñupiaq community where whaling is central to survival and culture. Beautiful watercolors.
What Do You Dream?
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Joung Un Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A child's dream becomes part of the rhythm of living things on earth. Simple, clear illustrations.
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Joung Un Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A child's dream becomes part of the rhythm of living things on earth. Simple, clear illustrations.
What's in Grandma's Grocery Bag?
written and ill. by Hui-Mei Pan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
See: Piggy in my Pocket
written and ill. by Hui-Mei Pan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
See: Piggy in my Pocket
When the Moon Is High
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: Julia Noonan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Daddy and baby on a moonlit night stroll around the yard. Simple rhymes and comforting illustrations.
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: Julia Noonan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Daddy and baby on a moonlit night stroll around the yard. Simple rhymes and comforting illustrations.
Where Is My Mommy?
written and ill. by Julie Downing
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A comforting and captivating reassurance that mommy will be back.
written and ill. by Julie Downing
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A comforting and captivating reassurance that mommy will be back.
Why Do Kittens Purr?
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Soothing rhymes about why kittens, bears, kangaroos and other animals behave the way they do.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Soothing rhymes about why kittens, bears, kangaroos and other animals behave the way they do.
Wild Birds
by Joanne Ryder
Illustrator: Susan Estelle Kwas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A charming introduction to birds seen in parks and backyards. Stylized illustrations.
by Joanne Ryder
Illustrator: Susan Estelle Kwas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A charming introduction to birds seen in parks and backyards. Stylized illustrations.
You Can't Rush a Cat
by Karleen Bradford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Jessica helps her grandfather to remain patient as they slowly make friends with a shy, stray cat.
by Karleen Bradford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Jessica helps her grandfather to remain patient as they slowly make friends with a shy, stray cat.
You're a Bear
by Mavis Jukes
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A young girl's fantasy of spending the day as a bear. Rhymed text and sensitive illustrations.
by Mavis Jukes
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A young girl's fantasy of spending the day as a bear. Rhymed text and sensitive illustrations.
Z Goes Home
written and ill. by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Z encounters some unique words on his journey and then returns to his letter family. Creative, energetic illustrations.
written and ill. by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Z encounters some unique words on his journey and then returns to his letter family. Creative, energetic illustrations.
Zigby Hunts for Treasure
written and ill. by Brian Paterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Three friends go on an adventure to find a treasure.
written and ill. by Brian Paterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Three friends go on an adventure to find a treasure.