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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Truth about Dragons, The
Julie Leung
Illustrator: Hanna Cha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A child with grandmothers from different cultures learns the worldview of each through their traditional tales. Vibrant detailed mixed-media art.
Julie Leung
Illustrator: Hanna Cha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A child with grandmothers from different cultures learns the worldview of each through their traditional tales. Vibrant detailed mixed-media art.
Truth about Max, The
Alice Provensen and Martin Provensen
Illustrator: Alice Provensen and Martin Provensen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A newly published story about a mischievous family cat introduces a new generation to the renowned author-illustrators. Includes reminiscences by the couple's daughter. Hand lettering. Watercolor and ink artwork
Alice Provensen and Martin Provensen
Illustrator: Alice Provensen and Martin Provensen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A newly published story about a mischievous family cat introduces a new generation to the renowned author-illustrators. Includes reminiscences by the couple's daughter. Hand lettering. Watercolor and ink artwork
Tumble
Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Illustrator: Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Sparse rhyming text and evocative illustrations depict the trajectory of the tumbleweed and the life forms it passes on its way. Back matter.
Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Illustrator: Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Sparse rhyming text and evocative illustrations depict the trajectory of the tumbleweed and the life forms it passes on its way. Back matter.
Twenty Questions
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Neither the spare text nor the playful, colorful double-page illustrations reveal the answers to a set of intriguing questions, demanding imagination and language for myriad possibilities.
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Neither the spare text nor the playful, colorful double-page illustrations reveal the answers to a set of intriguing questions, demanding imagination and language for myriad possibilities.
Umbrella, The
Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Dreary, rainy days don't stop an irrepressible young girl and her pup. Concise, simple rhyming text. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Dreary, rainy days don't stop an irrepressible young girl and her pup. Concise, simple rhyming text. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Under the Blanket Sky
Tim Fischer
Illustrator: Tim Fischer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A boy and a large, mysterious bird spend the summer immersed in idyllic play, then bid each other a sweet goodbye when fall arrives. Hazy, pastel-toned digital illustrations.
Tim Fischer
Illustrator: Tim Fischer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A boy and a large, mysterious bird spend the summer immersed in idyllic play, then bid each other a sweet goodbye when fall arrives. Hazy, pastel-toned digital illustrations.
Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions
Mike Wohnoutka
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A wide range of shifting emotions, labeled and modeled by three children throughout their school day, expand and encourage children's emotional literacy. Colorful animated illustrations.
Mike Wohnoutka
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A wide range of shifting emotions, labeled and modeled by three children throughout their school day, expand and encourage children's emotional literacy. Colorful animated illustrations.
Very Good Hats
Emma Straub
Illustrator: Blanca Gómez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
This imaginative ode to hats reveals many creative possibilities: raspberries are hats for fingers, and even a cat can be a hat. Colorful stylized digitally enhanced collage art.
Emma Straub
Illustrator: Blanca Gómez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
This imaginative ode to hats reveals many creative possibilities: raspberries are hats for fingers, and even a cat can be a hat. Colorful stylized digitally enhanced collage art.
Wave, The
Tyler Charlton
Illustrator: Tyler Charlton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A child describes depression as a threatening wave; thoughtful self-reflection and family support helps him through. Stark pencil and digital art. Back matter includes mental health resources.
Tyler Charlton
Illustrator: Tyler Charlton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A child describes depression as a threatening wave; thoughtful self-reflection and family support helps him through. Stark pencil and digital art. Back matter includes mental health resources.
Ways to Play
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Illustrator: Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Soft, watercolor artwork and the authentic voice of a young narrator reassure any child who has been ridiculed for playtime choices. A carefree dog amplifies the message.
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Illustrator: Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Soft, watercolor artwork and the authentic voice of a young narrator reassure any child who has been ridiculed for playtime choices. A carefree dog amplifies the message.
Welcome to the World
Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Rhyming text and lush watercolor illustrations show a diverse group of babies and toddlers beginning to explore the wide world.
Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Rhyming text and lush watercolor illustrations show a diverse group of babies and toddlers beginning to explore the wide world.
We Share This School: A Community Book
Dan Saks
Illustrator: Brooke Smart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A rhyming tribute to the classroom and the importance it plays in the lives of young children. Vibrant illustrations.
Dan Saks
Illustrator: Brooke Smart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A rhyming tribute to the classroom and the importance it plays in the lives of young children. Vibrant illustrations.
What Does Little Crocodile Say at the Beach?
Eva Montanari
Illustrator: Eva Montanari
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An action-packed camping adventure at the beach moves along with joyful sound effects. Vibrant chalk art.
Eva Montanari
Illustrator: Eva Montanari
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An action-packed camping adventure at the beach moves along with joyful sound effects. Vibrant chalk art.
What Happened to You?
James Catchpole
Illustrator: Karen George
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On a playground, a boy with one leg tires of other kids asking about it. They conclude it's not important to know, and their play resumes. Gouache and colored pencil illustrations. Endnotes.
James Catchpole
Illustrator: Karen George
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On a playground, a boy with one leg tires of other kids asking about it. They conclude it's not important to know, and their play resumes. Gouache and colored pencil illustrations. Endnotes.
What If One Day . . .
Bruce Handy
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
With playful call and response, the author asks us to consider what would happen if various attributes of our daily lives were to disappear. Splashy illustrations, double-page spreads.
Bruce Handy
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
With playful call and response, the author asks us to consider what would happen if various attributes of our daily lives were to disappear. Splashy illustrations, double-page spreads.
Who I Am: Words I Tell Myself
Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this collection of gentle positive affirmations, a diverse group of children are encouraged to welcome the full range of emotions and speak kindly to themselves. Delicate watercolor art.
Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this collection of gentle positive affirmations, a diverse group of children are encouraged to welcome the full range of emotions and speak kindly to themselves. Delicate watercolor art.
Whose Egg Is That?
Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Kelsey Oseid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Color, shape, and texture are clues for pairing seven eggs with their parents. Double-page spreads capture the animals in their natural habitats. Bright, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Kelsey Oseid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Color, shape, and texture are clues for pairing seven eggs with their parents. Double-page spreads capture the animals in their natural habitats. Bright, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Whose Prints?
Kari Allen
Illustrator: Kim Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Join a father and daughter as they walk through the snow, exploring animal tracks. Die-cut footprints add to the journey. Bright digital art.
Kari Allen
Illustrator: Kim Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Join a father and daughter as they walk through the snow, exploring animal tracks. Die-cut footprints add to the journey. Bright digital art.
Who Will Win? (I Like to Read series)
Arihhonni David
Illustrator: Arihhonni David
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A Native American elder tells the tale of a clever poky turtle who, with the help of his family, outraces a bear. Crisp cartoon digital art.
Arihhonni David
Illustrator: Arihhonni David
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A Native American elder tells the tale of a clever poky turtle who, with the help of his family, outraces a bear. Crisp cartoon digital art.
Wilderness, The
Steve McCarthy
Illustrator: Steve McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Fearful young Oktober Vasylenko leaves the safety of home and finds his courage. Witty, fanciful text and vibrant, dynamic digital art.
Steve McCarthy
Illustrator: Steve McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Fearful young Oktober Vasylenko leaves the safety of home and finds his courage. Witty, fanciful text and vibrant, dynamic digital art.
Wintergarden
Janet Fox
Illustrator: Jasu Hu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young girl helps her mother plant and harvest a winter herb garden on their kitchen windowsill. Told in free verse. Mixed-media illustrations.
Janet Fox
Illustrator: Jasu Hu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young girl helps her mother plant and harvest a winter herb garden on their kitchen windowsill. Told in free verse. Mixed-media illustrations.
Wishing Machine, The
Jonathan Hillman
Illustrator: Nadia Alam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On his final visit to the laundromat with his mom, Sam imagines a washing machine is a wishing machine. Will his wish to stay in his neighborhood be granted? Colored-pencil illustrations.
Jonathan Hillman
Illustrator: Nadia Alam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On his final visit to the laundromat with his mom, Sam imagines a washing machine is a wishing machine. Will his wish to stay in his neighborhood be granted? Colored-pencil illustrations.
Wombat
Philip Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Simple cartoon-style paper-cut illustrations and short humorous lyrical word play give these endearing marsupials center stage in this heartwarming rhyming picture book.
Philip Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Simple cartoon-style paper-cut illustrations and short humorous lyrical word play give these endearing marsupials center stage in this heartwarming rhyming picture book.
Woo Hoo! You're Doing Great!
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An exuberant chicken, assisted by a supportive mouse, brings joyous encouragement to all. Bright cartoon art.
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An exuberant chicken, assisted by a supportive mouse, brings joyous encouragement to all. Bright cartoon art.
World and Everything in It, The
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Young children discover how they connect to the small, big, and in-between things around them and in the wider world. Gentle watercolor and brown ink illustrations.
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Young children discover how they connect to the small, big, and in-between things around them and in the wider world. Gentle watercolor and brown ink illustrations.