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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It's Big Sister Time
Nandini Ahuja
Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Somebody has to teach baby the house and family rules! Told from the point of view of the big sister. Humorous expressive mixed media illustrations.
Nandini Ahuja
Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Somebody has to teach baby the house and family rules! Told from the point of view of the big sister. Humorous expressive mixed media illustrations.
Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn
Shannon Hale
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
While I kind of liked it, there seems to be a disconnect between the story and an under five listener. There is also not enough to make it a "best book," even for the younger set.
Shannon Hale
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
While I kind of liked it, there seems to be a disconnect between the story and an under five listener. There is also not enough to make it a "best book," even for the younger set.
Jenny Mei Is Sad
Tracy Subisak
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Recognizing Jenny's sadness, a friend tries to help by listening carefully. Appealing India ink, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations. The two friends present as Asian and African-American.
Tracy Subisak
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Recognizing Jenny's sadness, a friend tries to help by listening carefully. Appealing India ink, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations. The two friends present as Asian and African-American.
Lala's Words: A Story of Planting Kindness
Gracey Zhang
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Every day, rambunctious Lala rushes out to water city plants and whisper loving words to them. They listen! Endearing hand-drawn illustrations.
Gracey Zhang
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Every day, rambunctious Lala rushes out to water city plants and whisper loving words to them. They listen! Endearing hand-drawn illustrations.
Leo and the Octopus
Isabelle Marinov
Illustrator: Chris Nixon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Prone to sensory overload, Leo struggles to make sense of the world until he bonds with an octopus in the local aquarium. Illustrations include details of octopus behaviors.
Isabelle Marinov
Illustrator: Chris Nixon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Prone to sensory overload, Leo struggles to make sense of the world until he bonds with an octopus in the local aquarium. Illustrations include details of octopus behaviors.
Like a Dandelion
Huy Voun Lee
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a child and her mother journey from a refugee camp to America, their resiliency is likened to the small but strong dandelion. Poetic text, graceful digital art.
Huy Voun Lee
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a child and her mother journey from a refugee camp to America, their resiliency is likened to the small but strong dandelion. Poetic text, graceful digital art.
Listen
Gabi Snyder
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children are called to listen, moving beyond the noises around them to the sounds of words, of feelings, of nature. Gentle Adobe pencil and watercolor illustrations
Gabi Snyder
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children are called to listen, moving beyond the noises around them to the sounds of words, of feelings, of nature. Gentle Adobe pencil and watercolor illustrations
Little Blue Bridge, The
Brenda Maier
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This reimagining of the Billy Goats Gruff features a young Latina whose ingenuity surprises both a bully and her own big brothers. Joyful illustrations and a STEM component.
Brenda Maier
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This reimagining of the Billy Goats Gruff features a young Latina whose ingenuity surprises both a bully and her own big brothers. Joyful illustrations and a STEM component.
Little Loon Finds His Voice
Yvonne Pearson
Illustrator: Regina Shklovsky
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Baby loon cannot make the unique sounds his father makes, but when a threat appears, he finally finds his voice. Illustrations reveal beautiful plumage. Links provided for sound files.
Yvonne Pearson
Illustrator: Regina Shklovsky
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Baby loon cannot make the unique sounds his father makes, but when a threat appears, he finally finds his voice. Illustrations reveal beautiful plumage. Links provided for sound files.
Little One, The
Kiyo Tanaka
Illustrator: Kiyo Tanaka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young girl spends an afternoon playing with a mysterious magical creature before she meets with her father. Appealing black-and-white copperplate etchings.
Kiyo Tanaka
Illustrator: Kiyo Tanaka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young girl spends an afternoon playing with a mysterious magical creature before she meets with her father. Appealing black-and-white copperplate etchings.
Little Owl & the Big Tree, The: A Christmas Story
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An owl is discovered inhabiting the tree chosen for the Rockefeller Center Christmas display. How will it experience urban civilization? Evocative, colorful, stylized illustrations. Note.
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An owl is discovered inhabiting the tree chosen for the Rockefeller Center Christmas display. How will it experience urban civilization? Evocative, colorful, stylized illustrations. Note.
Looking for a Jumbie
Tracey Baptiste
Illustrator: Amber Ren
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Frightening Caribbean folklore characters are found to be kind companions in this tale of a young girl's brave exploration. Lively repetitive text; colorful digital art.
Tracey Baptiste
Illustrator: Amber Ren
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Frightening Caribbean folklore characters are found to be kind companions in this tale of a young girl's brave exploration. Lively repetitive text; colorful digital art.
Lost Package, The
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jessica Lanan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a dark-skinned boy finds a box that has fallen out of a USPS truck, he decides to deliver the package himself. Masterful watercolor illustrations.
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jessica Lanan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a dark-skinned boy finds a box that has fallen out of a USPS truck, he decides to deliver the package himself. Masterful watercolor illustrations.
Maybe...
Chris Haughton
Illustrator: Chris Haughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated wide-eyed monkeys displayed on vivid red backgrounds are warned by their mother to stay away from the mango grove for fear of tigers. Do they listen?
Chris Haughton
Illustrator: Chris Haughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated wide-eyed monkeys displayed on vivid red backgrounds are warned by their mother to stay away from the mango grove for fear of tigers. Do they listen?
Me I Choose to Be, The
Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Illustrator: Regis and Kahran Bethencourt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Extraordinarily fascinating photoshopped images of Black children exploring their creative potential make this an exuberant choice.
Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Illustrator: Regis and Kahran Bethencourt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Extraordinarily fascinating photoshopped images of Black children exploring their creative potential make this an exuberant choice.
Mel Fell
Corey R. Tabor
Illustrator: Corey R. Tabor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A brave fledgling kingfisher leaves her nest to fly for the first time. Innovative vertical format; engaging pastel illustrations. Author's note.
Corey R. Tabor
Illustrator: Corey R. Tabor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A brave fledgling kingfisher leaves her nest to fly for the first time. Innovative vertical format; engaging pastel illustrations. Author's note.
Mole in a Black & White Hole
Tereza Šedivá
Illustrator: Tereza Šedivá
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Mole prefers to stay in his underground home, but what happens when he ventures beyond his comfort zone? Horizontal, linocut prints mirror Mole's journey from stark black-and-white to vibrant colors.
Tereza Šedivá
Illustrator: Tereza Šedivá
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Mole prefers to stay in his underground home, but what happens when he ventures beyond his comfort zone? Horizontal, linocut prints mirror Mole's journey from stark black-and-white to vibrant colors.
Mommy
Leslie Patricelli
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Mommy can do everything! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany rhyming text.
Leslie Patricelli
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Mommy can do everything! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany rhyming text.
Monster Clothes
Daisy Hirst
Illustrator: Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Everybody needs to find something to wear in the morning including behemoths. Humorous, screen printed illustrations.
Daisy Hirst
Illustrator: Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Everybody needs to find something to wear in the morning including behemoths. Humorous, screen printed illustrations.
Moose, Goose, and Mouse
Mordicai Gerstein
Illustrator: Mordecai Gerstein and Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A rollicking adventure on a runaway caboose leads three animal friends to the new home that meets each of their wishes. Bright and playful computer generated collage illustrations.
Mordicai Gerstein
Illustrator: Mordecai Gerstein and Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A rollicking adventure on a runaway caboose leads three animal friends to the new home that meets each of their wishes. Bright and playful computer generated collage illustrations.
More Than Fluff
Madeline Valentine
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Her friends can't resist touching cute, fluffy Daisy the chick, but she needs some personal space! Daisy's mother helps her hatch a plan. Loose, washy illustrations.
Madeline Valentine
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Her friends can't resist touching cute, fluffy Daisy the chick, but she needs some personal space! Daisy's mother helps her hatch a plan. Loose, washy illustrations.
Never, Not Ever
Beatrice Alemagna
Illustrator: Beatrice Alemagna
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
First day of school jitters have a creative solution when a young bat uses her extraordinary secret powers. Collage and crayon art.
Beatrice Alemagna
Illustrator: Beatrice Alemagna
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
First day of school jitters have a creative solution when a young bat uses her extraordinary secret powers. Collage and crayon art.
New House
Dave Wheeler
Illustrator: Dave Wheeler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A toddler explores his fascinating but unfamiliar new home and is assured of familial love. Humorous, mixed-media illustrations.
Dave Wheeler
Illustrator: Dave Wheeler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A toddler explores his fascinating but unfamiliar new home and is assured of familial love. Humorous, mixed-media illustrations.
Nice Dream Truck, The
Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Brigette Barrager
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A lyrical bedtime story depicts children's dreams with clever rhymes and energetic illustrations.
Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Brigette Barrager
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A lyrical bedtime story depicts children's dreams with clever rhymes and energetic illustrations.
Night Becomes Day: Changes in Nature
Cynthia Argentine
Illustrator: List of photo image credits
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Nature is constantly changing/evolving. Simple clear text and extraordinary contrasting photos reveal examples of these transformations.
Cynthia Argentine
Illustrator: List of photo image credits
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Nature is constantly changing/evolving. Simple clear text and extraordinary contrasting photos reveal examples of these transformations.