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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Bright Brown Baby A Treasury
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A collection of stories uplift Black and Brown babies and encourage love, affirmation and understanding of child development through family interactions. Goauche and acrylic illustrations.
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A collection of stories uplift Black and Brown babies and encourage love, affirmation and understanding of child development through family interactions. Goauche and acrylic illustrations.
Bubbles... Up!
Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a mother and younger sibling look on, an exuberant child frolics in a neighborhood pool. A celebration of swimming and splashing; imaginative word-play, effervescent digital art. (28)
Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a mother and younger sibling look on, an exuberant child frolics in a neighborhood pool. A celebration of swimming and splashing; imaginative word-play, effervescent digital art. (28)
Carpenter's Helper
Sybil Rosen
Illustrator: Camille Garoche
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Renata loves helping Papi build their new bathroom, but the project is interrupted when a wren comes to nest above the bathtub. Rich language and detailed illustrations.
Sybil Rosen
Illustrator: Camille Garoche
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Renata loves helping Papi build their new bathroom, but the project is interrupted when a wren comes to nest above the bathtub. Rich language and detailed illustrations.
Chaiwala!
Priti Birla Maheshwari
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Richly hued collages and simple text describe a train stop in Jaipur where an Indian mother and daughter have just enough time for a delicious drink of chai.
Priti Birla Maheshwari
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Richly hued collages and simple text describe a train stop in Jaipur where an Indian mother and daughter have just enough time for a delicious drink of chai.
Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle: A Hatchling's Daring Race to the Sea
Kelly Jordan
Illustrator: Sally Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Simple rythmic text and vivid print and digital illustrations depict turtle hatchlings' journey across the dangerous sand to the sea.
Kelly Jordan
Illustrator: Sally Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Simple rythmic text and vivid print and digital illustrations depict turtle hatchlings' journey across the dangerous sand to the sea.
Chez Bob
Bob Shea
Illustrator: Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Birdseed featured on the menu of a restaurant attracts birdsfor the alligator owner to devour. But, will making new friends prove even more delicious? Zany illustrations.
Bob Shea
Illustrator: Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Birdseed featured on the menu of a restaurant attracts birdsfor the alligator owner to devour. But, will making new friends prove even more delicious? Zany illustrations.
Circles All Around Us, The
Brad Montague
Illustrator: Brad Montague and Kristi Montague
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A child finds a rewarding exercise in drawing larger and larger circles to widen their world, enhancing it. Simple effective analog and digital illustrations
Brad Montague
Illustrator: Brad Montague and Kristi Montague
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A child finds a rewarding exercise in drawing larger and larger circles to widen their world, enhancing it. Simple effective analog and digital illustrations
City Baby
Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An Asian mom and baby walk through their diverse North American city, visiting the park, a café, and a festival. Bold collage and digital illustrations.
Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An Asian mom and baby walk through their diverse North American city, visiting the park, a café, and a festival. Bold collage and digital illustrations.
Daddy
Leslie Patricelli
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Daddy can do everything (according to a diapered narrator)! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany simple rhyming text.
Leslie Patricelli
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Daddy can do everything (according to a diapered narrator)! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany simple rhyming text.
Day the Rain Moved In, The
Éléonore Douspis
Illustrator: Éléonore Douspis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A family's persistent source of distress and sadness is ameliorated by looking at things through the wondering eyes of others. Digital art in a subdued palette.
Éléonore Douspis
Illustrator: Éléonore Douspis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A family's persistent source of distress and sadness is ameliorated by looking at things through the wondering eyes of others. Digital art in a subdued palette.
Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It)
Carrie Finison
Illustrator: Daniel Wiseman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Need a clear, polite way for children to assert their right to being hugged or not? Constructive alternative greetings offered. Vibrant digital illustrations.
Carrie Finison
Illustrator: Daniel Wiseman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Need a clear, polite way for children to assert their right to being hugged or not? Constructive alternative greetings offered. Vibrant digital illustrations.
Ducks on the Road: A Counting Adventure
Anita Lobel
Illustrator: Anita Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
On a walk behind mama and papa, 10 baby ducks are distracted by new friends. Invites participation; charming gouache and colored pencil art.
Anita Lobel
Illustrator: Anita Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
On a walk behind mama and papa, 10 baby ducks are distracted by new friends. Invites participation; charming gouache and colored pencil art.
Everybody in the Red Brick Building
Anne Wynter
Illustrator: Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
The colorful collage art aptly depicts the sounds that wake apartment dwellers from their sleep. Word repetition makes this urban bedtime story a great read aloud.
Anne Wynter
Illustrator: Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
The colorful collage art aptly depicts the sounds that wake apartment dwellers from their sleep. Word repetition makes this urban bedtime story a great read aloud.
Families Can
Dan Saks
Illustrator: Brooke Smart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A celebration of the American family in its many permutations. Charming illustrations representing diverse households.
Dan Saks
Illustrator: Brooke Smart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A celebration of the American family in its many permutations. Charming illustrations representing diverse households.
Family Reunion
Chad Richardson, Dad Richardson
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young boy reluctantly attends the reunion of his extended African American family and finds he really enjoys getting to know everybody. Vibrant illustrations.
Chad Richardson, Dad Richardson
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young boy reluctantly attends the reunion of his extended African American family and finds he really enjoys getting to know everybody. Vibrant illustrations.
Fish and Sun (I Can Read! Comics series)
Sergio Ruzzier
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Fish finds a new friend, Sun, who makes the world warm and exciting. Very simple graphic novel format with beautifully painted watercolor panels.
Sergio Ruzzier
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Fish finds a new friend, Sun, who makes the world warm and exciting. Very simple graphic novel format with beautifully painted watercolor panels.
Free
Sam Usher
Illustrator: Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A lost bird becomes friends with a young boy and his granddad. In helping the bird find its home, they enter a magical world. Enlivening ink and watercolor illustrations.
Sam Usher
Illustrator: Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A lost bird becomes friends with a young boy and his granddad. In helping the bird find its home, they enter a magical world. Enlivening ink and watercolor illustrations.
Froggies Do Not Want to Sleep, The
Adam Gustavson
Illustrator: Adam Gustavson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Colorful images of leggy amphibians catapult across double page spreads. They ride unicycles, fly space ships, and train beasts in their bedtime-resistant romp.
Adam Gustavson
Illustrator: Adam Gustavson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Colorful images of leggy amphibians catapult across double page spreads. They ride unicycles, fly space ships, and train beasts in their bedtime-resistant romp.
Go Be Wonderful!
Donna Gephart
Illustrator: Francesca Chessa
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Encouraged by her family from birth, Daisy passes each childhood milestone with confidence and success. Will this continue when she starts school? Whimsical multimedia illustrations.
Donna Gephart
Illustrator: Francesca Chessa
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Encouraged by her family from birth, Daisy passes each childhood milestone with confidence and success. Will this continue when she starts school? Whimsical multimedia illustrations.
Hardly Haunted
Jessie Sima
Illustrator: Jessie Sima
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A creaky haunted house longs for someone to make it a haunted home, but who will be brave enough? Spooky sounds abound; atmospheric digital art.
Jessie Sima
Illustrator: Jessie Sima
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A creaky haunted house longs for someone to make it a haunted home, but who will be brave enough? Spooky sounds abound; atmospheric digital art.
Hello, Moon
Julie Downing
Illustrator: Julie Downing
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Follow animals from dusk to dawn in this gentle tale told in quatrains. Saturated water color artwork.
Julie Downing
Illustrator: Julie Downing
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Follow animals from dusk to dawn in this gentle tale told in quatrains. Saturated water color artwork.
Hello Preschool!
Priscilla Burris
Illustrator: Priscilla Burris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Vibrant animated double page spread illustrations show a class of enthusiastic diverse children experiencing the routines and activities on their very first day of school.
Priscilla Burris
Illustrator: Priscilla Burris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Vibrant animated double page spread illustrations show a class of enthusiastic diverse children experiencing the routines and activities on their very first day of school.
Home Is...
Hannah Barnaby
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Simple rhymed text celebrates homes for people and animals, in mountains, seas, small towns, and big cities all over the world. Jewel-toned illustrations.
Hannah Barnaby
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Simple rhymed text celebrates homes for people and animals, in mountains, seas, small towns, and big cities all over the world. Jewel-toned illustrations.
Honey for You Honey for Me
Michael Rosen (editor)
Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Captivating watercolor illustrations accompany this diverse collection of nursery rhymes sourced from historical anthologies. Each one tickles the tongue.
Michael Rosen (editor)
Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Captivating watercolor illustrations accompany this diverse collection of nursery rhymes sourced from historical anthologies. Each one tickles the tongue.
House, A
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In this read-and-response book, readers are invited to consider what a house is and what makes it a home. Simple, soft watercolor illustrations.
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In this read-and-response book, readers are invited to consider what a house is and what makes it a home. Simple, soft watercolor illustrations.