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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Windy Days (Weather Days seriesO
Deborah Kerbel
Illustrator: Miki Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This important natural force is celebrated in rhyming couplets. Fabric collage illustrations, back matter.
Deborah Kerbel
Illustrator: Miki Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This important natural force is celebrated in rhyming couplets. Fabric collage illustrations, back matter.
Winter Bird, The
Kate Banks
Illustrator: Suzie Mason
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The nightingale unable to fly south for the winter survives with the help of the animals able to handle the cold. Beautiful digital illustrations.
Kate Banks
Illustrator: Suzie Mason
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The nightingale unable to fly south for the winter survives with the help of the animals able to handle the cold. Beautiful digital illustrations.
Year of the Cat
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jocelyn Li Langrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A mission, organized by Rat, entices all the Zodiac animals to apologize to Cat for preventing her from finishing the Great Race, with surprising results. Colorful digital illustrations.
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jocelyn Li Langrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A mission, organized by Rat, entices all the Zodiac animals to apologize to Cat for preventing her from finishing the Great Race, with surprising results. Colorful digital illustrations.
Yes! No!: A First Conversation about Consent (First Conversations series)
Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Bold, expressive illustrations and straightforward text empowers young children to understand their own bodies, demand respect, and show respect to others. Additional content for adult readers.
Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Bold, expressive illustrations and straightforward text empowers young children to understand their own bodies, demand respect, and show respect to others. Additional content for adult readers.
100 Things I Know How to Do
Amy Schwartz
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Familiar activities of young children are accompanied by bouncing couplets. Clear, vibrant gouache illustrations.
Amy Schwartz
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Familiar activities of young children are accompanied by bouncing couplets. Clear, vibrant gouache illustrations.
1 2 3 Cats: A Cat Counting Book
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming text, counting 1 to 12, felines participate in fun, kitty-centric activities. Sumi ink on watercolor paper.
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming text, counting 1 to 12, felines participate in fun, kitty-centric activities. Sumi ink on watercolor paper.
ABC Cats: An Alpha-Cat Book
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An array of twenty-six felines interact in different ways with colorful oversize alphabet letters on rhyming spreads.
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An array of twenty-six felines interact in different ways with colorful oversize alphabet letters on rhyming spreads.
All Dressed Up
Andrea Zimmerman
Illustrator: David Clemesha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Chef? Diver? Cowgirl? Whatever the profession and activity, each has its own attire. Bright, engaging illustrations on double-page spread.
Andrea Zimmerman
Illustrator: David Clemesha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Chef? Diver? Cowgirl? Whatever the profession and activity, each has its own attire. Bright, engaging illustrations on double-page spread.
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors
Davina Bell
Illustrator: Jenny Løvlie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming dialog, a young boy gives his protesting mother a detailed defense of his library selection, another book about his beloved tractors. Colorful digital illustrations.
Davina Bell
Illustrator: Jenny Løvlie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming dialog, a young boy gives his protesting mother a detailed defense of his library selection, another book about his beloved tractors. Colorful digital illustrations.
All of Us
Kathryn Erskine
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children the world over engage in activities that exhibit love and friendship. Rhymed text and subtly-colored, soft digital illustrations.
Kathryn Erskine
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children the world over engage in activities that exhibit love and friendship. Rhymed text and subtly-colored, soft digital illustrations.
All We Need
Kathy Wolff
Illustrator: Margaux Meganck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhyming text with warm illustrations of diverse children and adults in varied settings show that everyone needs air, water, learning, homes, food, family, friends, and sharing.
Kathy Wolff
Illustrator: Margaux Meganck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhyming text with warm illustrations of diverse children and adults in varied settings show that everyone needs air, water, learning, homes, food, family, friends, and sharing.
Atticus Caticus
Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Kara Kramer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A day in the life of a boy and his irrepressible cat. Told in a rhythmic verse. Humorous digital illustrations.
Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Kara Kramer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A day in the life of a boy and his irrepressible cat. Told in a rhythmic verse. Humorous digital illustrations.
Australian Baby Animals
Frané Lessac
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Joeys, hatchlings, chicks, fry, puggles, pups, and platypups all live as babies under the care of various parents and siblings. Simple presentation and colorful illustrations.
Frané Lessac
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Joeys, hatchlings, chicks, fry, puggles, pups, and platypups all live as babies under the care of various parents and siblings. Simple presentation and colorful illustrations.
Barking Ballad, The: A Bark-Along Meow-Along Book
Julie Paschkis
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children join in with barks and meows in this rhyming tale of a stray cat who heals an injured dog. Folk-art style illustrations.
Julie Paschkis
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children join in with barks and meows in this rhyming tale of a stray cat who heals an injured dog. Folk-art style illustrations.
Baseball Baby
Diane Adams
Illustrator: Charlene Chua
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A toddler enjoys a baseball game with his family and, in rhyme, explains the basics. Bold illustrations. In Spanish.
Diane Adams
Illustrator: Charlene Chua
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A toddler enjoys a baseball game with his family and, in rhyme, explains the basics. Bold illustrations. In Spanish.
Bear Can't Wait
Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As Bear and his friends get ready to throw a surprise party, Bear almost ruins everything when he gets too excited. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.
Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As Bear and his friends get ready to throw a surprise party, Bear almost ruins everything when he gets too excited. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.
Bear Wants To Sing
Cary Fagan
Illustrator: Dena Seiferling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Subtle graphite illustrations capture Bear's frustration and dejection as his song gets interrupted, and his ultimate joy when a friend stands by his side.
Cary Fagan
Illustrator: Dena Seiferling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Subtle graphite illustrations capture Bear's frustration and dejection as his song gets interrupted, and his ultimate joy when a friend stands by his side.
Beautiful Day!: Petite Poems for All Seasons
Rodoula Pappa
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A boy experiences the seasons through haiku-inspired poems. Stylized, delicate, colorful illustrations with origami, carp kites, and other Japanese objects.
Rodoula Pappa
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A boy experiences the seasons through haiku-inspired poems. Stylized, delicate, colorful illustrations with origami, carp kites, and other Japanese objects.
Best Place in the World, The
Petr Horáček
Illustrator: Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Is Hare's meadow the best, most beautiful place? Hare explores and discovers what makes his meadow special. Splashy, brilliant colors in full-page spreads.
Petr Horáček
Illustrator: Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Is Hare's meadow the best, most beautiful place? Hare explores and discovers what makes his meadow special. Splashy, brilliant colors in full-page spreads.
Big House and the Little House, The
Yoshi Ueno
Illustrator: Emiko Fujishima
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a storm threatens Mouse's little house, his newly found friend and neighbor, Bear, comes to the rescue. Gentle pastel palette with miniature details.
Yoshi Ueno
Illustrator: Emiko Fujishima
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a storm threatens Mouse's little house, his newly found friend and neighbor, Bear, comes to the rescue. Gentle pastel palette with miniature details.
Black and White
Debora Vogrig
Illustrator: Pia Valentinis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Black invites White to join forces. Galloping zebras, a chess set and a piano keyboard are some of the bold images these opposites create.
Debora Vogrig
Illustrator: Pia Valentinis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Black invites White to join forces. Galloping zebras, a chess set and a piano keyboard are some of the bold images these opposites create.
Blue Floats Away
Travis Jonker
Illustrator: Grant Snider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An iceberg floats away from his parents, experiences the ocean, and undergoes a sequence of physical changes before returning home. Mixed-media collage illustrations.
Travis Jonker
Illustrator: Grant Snider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An iceberg floats away from his parents, experiences the ocean, and undergoes a sequence of physical changes before returning home. Mixed-media collage illustrations.
Bodies are Cool
Tyler Feder
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhythmic, rhyming tribute to every individual, and every type of physical characteristic. Vibrant colors help bring home the cheerful message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Tyler Feder
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhythmic, rhyming tribute to every individual, and every type of physical characteristic. Vibrant colors help bring home the cheerful message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Boo! Baa, La La La!
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A cow sends forth a Halloween greeting and is met by a chorus of animals returning the spooky salutation. Humorous, mixed-media illustrations.
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A cow sends forth a Halloween greeting and is met by a chorus of animals returning the spooky salutation. Humorous, mixed-media illustrations.
Brave as a Mouse
Nicolò Carozzi
Illustrator: Nicolò Carozzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated life-like muted pastel illustrations and minimal text show the dramatic moments when mice ingeniously protect their goldfish friend from looming disaster.
Nicolò Carozzi
Illustrator: Nicolò Carozzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated life-like muted pastel illustrations and minimal text show the dramatic moments when mice ingeniously protect their goldfish friend from looming disaster.