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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Looking for Smile
Ellen Tarlow
Illustrator: Lauren Stringer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Bear learns that he may not always feel happy, but a friend and a song can help restore his mood and smile. Color palette reflects changing emotions.
Ellen Tarlow
Illustrator: Lauren Stringer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Bear learns that he may not always feel happy, but a friend and a song can help restore his mood and smile. Color palette reflects changing emotions.
Louis
Tom Lichtenheld
Illustrator: Julie Rowan-Zoch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A beloved teddy bear speaks out about all the unreasonable requirements of his job in this sweet relatable story. Expressive vibrant artwork created on an iPad using Procreate.
Tom Lichtenheld
Illustrator: Julie Rowan-Zoch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A beloved teddy bear speaks out about all the unreasonable requirements of his job in this sweet relatable story. Expressive vibrant artwork created on an iPad using Procreate.
Love by Sophia (The Sophia Books series)
Jim Averbeck
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl learns the power of perspective in life and art defending her depiction of love to her diverse family. An art lesson and watercolor art included.
Jim Averbeck
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl learns the power of perspective in life and art defending her depiction of love to her diverse family. An art lesson and watercolor art included.
Mommy, Carry Me Please
Jane Cabrera
Illustrator: Jane Cabrera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Animal mothers carry their babies in many different ways reflecting their motherhood roles. Evocative vibrant illustrations.
Jane Cabrera
Illustrator: Jane Cabrera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Animal mothers carry their babies in many different ways reflecting their motherhood roles. Evocative vibrant illustrations.
Most Amazing Bird, The
Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
Illustrator: Andrew Qappik
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
An Inuit girl overcomes her dislike of ravens, eagerly awaiting their return during the harsh winter after other species have deserted. Soft-tone illustrations illuminate the changing seasons.
Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
Illustrator: Andrew Qappik
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
An Inuit girl overcomes her dislike of ravens, eagerly awaiting their return during the harsh winter after other species have deserted. Soft-tone illustrations illuminate the changing seasons.
Motor Mouse Delivers (Motor Mouse series)
Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Three humorous stories and charming mixed-media illustrations detail the adventures of a very philosophical mouse.
Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Three humorous stories and charming mixed-media illustrations detail the adventures of a very philosophical mouse.
My Favorite Color
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A gorgeous spectrum of color palettes viewed through translucent light and accompanied by lyrical text provide an invitation to understand what a favorite means.
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A gorgeous spectrum of color palettes viewed through translucent light and accompanied by lyrical text provide an invitation to understand what a favorite means.
My Rainy Day Rocket Ship
Markette Sheppard
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A stay-at-home day challenges a creative girl to create an imaginative rocket ship for a space adventure. Bright painterly acrylics elevate black figures.
Markette Sheppard
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A stay-at-home day challenges a creative girl to create an imaginative rocket ship for a space adventure. Bright painterly acrylics elevate black figures.
Natsumi's Song of Summer
Robert Paul Weston
Illustrator: Misa Saburi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Young Natsumi welcomes her American cousin to Japan and shares her favorite things about summer, including cicadas! Traditional Japanese verse is showcased by soft vibrant illustrations. Back matter.
Robert Paul Weston
Illustrator: Misa Saburi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Young Natsumi welcomes her American cousin to Japan and shares her favorite things about summer, including cicadas! Traditional Japanese verse is showcased by soft vibrant illustrations. Back matter.
Nesting
Henry Cole
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
From the male's early-spring mating song, simple but elegant text traces the life cycle of this family of robins. Arresting pen and acrylic illustrations add lively details.
Henry Cole
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
From the male's early-spring mating song, simple but elegant text traces the life cycle of this family of robins. Arresting pen and acrylic illustrations add lively details.
No Ordinary Jacket
Sue-Ellen Pashley
Illustrator: Thea Baker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Amelia's favorite jacket doesn't fit her any more. What will she do so she can keep the jacket forever? Engaging collage illustrations.
Sue-Ellen Pashley
Illustrator: Thea Baker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Amelia's favorite jacket doesn't fit her any more. What will she do so she can keep the jacket forever? Engaging collage illustrations.
Old Rock (is not boring)
written and illustrated by Deb Pilutti
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The creatures of the wild think that smiling rock's life is dull until it communicates its long experience through history's eras. Imaginative watercolor and digital paintings. Timeline.
written and illustrated by Deb Pilutti
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The creatures of the wild think that smiling rock's life is dull until it communicates its long experience through history's eras. Imaginative watercolor and digital paintings. Timeline.
Only a Tree Knows How to be a Tree
Mary Murphy
Illustrator: Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
All of nature, including trees, dogs, fish, and finally, people, have unique characteristics that define them. Digital illustrations in brush and ink.
Mary Murphy
Illustrator: Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
All of nature, including trees, dogs, fish, and finally, people, have unique characteristics that define them. Digital illustrations in brush and ink.
Only the Cat Saw
Ashley Wolff
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Warm acrylic gouache illustrations on double-page spreads showcase a cat experiencing the natural world around him as his family goes about their daily activities.
Ashley Wolff
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Warm acrylic gouache illustrations on double-page spreads showcase a cat experiencing the natural world around him as his family goes about their daily activities.
On the Go Awesome
Lisl H. Detlefsen
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A young boy imagines himself not just watching a variety of things that go, but actually operating them. Bold over-the-top digital art captures the excitement.
Lisl H. Detlefsen
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A young boy imagines himself not just watching a variety of things that go, but actually operating them. Bold over-the-top digital art captures the excitement.
Perfectly Perfect Wish, The
Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl who is offered one wish shows us what it means to be empathetic and kind. Watercolor and digital illustrations.
Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl who is offered one wish shows us what it means to be empathetic and kind. Watercolor and digital illustrations.
Play Outside
Laurent Moreau
Illustrator: Laurent Moreau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Children, sent outside to play, embark upon a worldwide adventure and "discover" 250 animals. Simple illustrations. Chart with data on each animal.
Laurent Moreau
Illustrator: Laurent Moreau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Children, sent outside to play, embark upon a worldwide adventure and "discover" 250 animals. Simple illustrations. Chart with data on each animal.
Plenty of Hugs
Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Kate Alizadeh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Two moms and their toddler spend a day celebrating nature and their time together as a family. Vibrant illustrations.
Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Kate Alizadeh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Two moms and their toddler spend a day celebrating nature and their time together as a family. Vibrant illustrations.
Polar Bear in the Snow, A
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Simple words and photographed collages in white, greys, and blues invite us to follow a black nose on a polar bear's joyous journeying in the Arctic.
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Simple words and photographed collages in white, greys, and blues invite us to follow a black nose on a polar bear's joyous journeying in the Arctic.
Power of One, The: Every Act of Kindness Counts
Trudy Ludwig
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Straightforward minimal text and colorful expressive illustrations spotlighting specific examples enhance the message that even the act of a single person can affect positive change. Back matter.
Trudy Ludwig
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Straightforward minimal text and colorful expressive illustrations spotlighting specific examples enhance the message that even the act of a single person can affect positive change. Back matter.
Prairie Days
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Mixed-media illustrations filled with period details perfectly complement this lyrical ode to life on the farm in days gone by.
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Mixed-media illustrations filled with period details perfectly complement this lyrical ode to life on the farm in days gone by.
Red Red Red
Polly Dunbar
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Little One wants a biscuit, falls and has a temper tantrum. Mom comes to the rescue and Little One learns a lesson. Simple, warm illustrations.
Polly Dunbar
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Little One wants a biscuit, falls and has a temper tantrum. Mom comes to the rescue and Little One learns a lesson. Simple, warm illustrations.
Secrets of the Loon
Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Charles Dayton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rhymed text enveloped in lyrical photographic settings capture an aquatic bird's first year as she learns to survive and spread her wings. End matter.
Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Charles Dayton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rhymed text enveloped in lyrical photographic settings capture an aquatic bird's first year as she learns to survive and spread her wings. End matter.
Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light
Apryl Stott
Illustrator: Apryl Stott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When Coco sets out to help her friend, Bear, to prove to other animals that he is not mean, they soon learn the true meaning of kindness. Joyful watercolor and digital ink illustrations.
Apryl Stott
Illustrator: Apryl Stott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When Coco sets out to help her friend, Bear, to prove to other animals that he is not mean, they soon learn the true meaning of kindness. Joyful watercolor and digital ink illustrations.
Smart George
Jules Feiffer
Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Puppy George resists his mother's simple arithmetic problems, but is caught in a dream where trees and other creatures demand answers. Hilarious cartoon illustrations.
Jules Feiffer
Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Puppy George resists his mother's simple arithmetic problems, but is caught in a dream where trees and other creatures demand answers. Hilarious cartoon illustrations.