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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Snail Crossing
Corey R. Tabor
Illustrator: Corey R. Tabor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Whimsical watercolor illustrations depict a humorous and heartfelt burgeoning friendship.
Corey R. Tabor
Illustrator: Corey R. Tabor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Whimsical watercolor illustrations depict a humorous and heartfelt burgeoning friendship.
Snow Dancer, The
Addie Boswell
Illustrator: Merce Lopez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Sparkling illustrations full of playful motion magnify the magic of a snowy day that neighborhood children discover inspired by a young girl.
Addie Boswell
Illustrator: Merce Lopez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Sparkling illustrations full of playful motion magnify the magic of a snowy day that neighborhood children discover inspired by a young girl.
Some Dinosaurs Are Small
Charlotte Voake
Illustrator: Charlotte Voake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A reassuring message for small children is subtly offered in the simple descriptions of a variety of dinosaurs. Bright watercolor and ink illustrations make the point.
Charlotte Voake
Illustrator: Charlotte Voake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A reassuring message for small children is subtly offered in the simple descriptions of a variety of dinosaurs. Bright watercolor and ink illustrations make the point.
Space for Me, A
Cathryn Falwell
Illustrator: Cathryn Falwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Tired of sharing a room with his younger brother, Alex creates a space for himself in the backyard, but it makes his younger brother sad. What will Alex do? Cut paper color collage illustrations.
Cathryn Falwell
Illustrator: Cathryn Falwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Tired of sharing a room with his younger brother, Alex creates a space for himself in the backyard, but it makes his younger brother sad. What will Alex do? Cut paper color collage illustrations.
Stopwatch from Grampa, A
Loretta Garbutt
Illustrator: Carmen Mok
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When a young boy is left a watch by his beloved grandfather, it evokes his connection, intensifies his grief, and reawakens his memory. Evocative colorful gouache and graphite pencil illustrations.
Loretta Garbutt
Illustrator: Carmen Mok
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When a young boy is left a watch by his beloved grandfather, it evokes his connection, intensifies his grief, and reawakens his memory. Evocative colorful gouache and graphite pencil illustrations.
Studio: A Place For Art to Start
Emily Arrow
Illustrator: Melissa & James Buchanan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rhyming text shows a bunny searching for a creative space for arts. Digital illustrations include a black outline and bright color scheme.
Emily Arrow
Illustrator: Melissa & James Buchanan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rhyming text shows a bunny searching for a creative space for arts. Digital illustrations include a black outline and bright color scheme.
Summer Song
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In the green grass, children hear music everywhere from frogs, even in silence, in a lyrical description of summer. Acrylic paints in full color illustrations.
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In the green grass, children hear music everywhere from frogs, even in silence, in a lyrical description of summer. Acrylic paints in full color illustrations.
Sun and Moon Have a Tea Party
Yumi Heo
Illustrator: Naoko Stoop
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Sun and Moon argue about the activities that each celestial orb sees on Earth, until Cloud helps to reconcile their differences. Delightful mixed-media and digital illustrations.
Yumi Heo
Illustrator: Naoko Stoop
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Sun and Moon argue about the activities that each celestial orb sees on Earth, until Cloud helps to reconcile their differences. Delightful mixed-media and digital illustrations.
Sun Flower Lion
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Six short chapters introduce three recurring shapes interacting in a satisfying story. Brush and ink illustrations artfully employ a limited palette. Inventive for both toddlers and emerging readers.
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Six short chapters introduce three recurring shapes interacting in a satisfying story. Brush and ink illustrations artfully employ a limited palette. Inventive for both toddlers and emerging readers.
Superhero Gran
Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The special relationship between gran and her grandchildren is shown with large text. Colorful digital illustrations.
Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The special relationship between gran and her grandchildren is shown with large text. Colorful digital illustrations.
Ten Ways to Hear Snow
Cathy Camper
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
On the way to visit her grandmother to make warak enab (stuffed grape leaves), Lina listens to the many sounds that snow makes. Serene digital illustrations.
Cathy Camper
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
On the way to visit her grandmother to make warak enab (stuffed grape leaves), Lina listens to the many sounds that snow makes. Serene digital illustrations.
The Heart of a Whale
written and illustrated by Anna Pignataro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A whale's song is filled with kindness, but takes another whale's reciprocity to bring happiness and fulfillment. Evocative watercolor illustrations
written and illustrated by Anna Pignataro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A whale's song is filled with kindness, but takes another whale's reciprocity to bring happiness and fulfillment. Evocative watercolor illustrations
This Is Gus
Chris Chatterton
Illustrator: Chris Chatterton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Grumpy Gus doesn't like, among other things, walks, being petted, and birthdays, but there are two things he does like. Amusing simple text and bright color illustrations.
Chris Chatterton
Illustrator: Chris Chatterton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Grumpy Gus doesn't like, among other things, walks, being petted, and birthdays, but there are two things he does like. Amusing simple text and bright color illustrations.
Three Billy Goats Gruff, The: The Full Story
Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
This humorous retelling retains the fear and suspense that the bullying troll might be successful. Colorful, large-scale illustrations.
Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
This humorous retelling retains the fear and suspense that the bullying troll might be successful. Colorful, large-scale illustrations.
Turtle Walk
Matt Phelan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In luscious watercolors, a family of turtles is shown slowly walking through the seasons, asking "Are we there yet?" It ends in pure joy.
Matt Phelan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In luscious watercolors, a family of turtles is shown slowly walking through the seasons, asking "Are we there yet?" It ends in pure joy.
Two Little Trains
Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and a sleek modern train traveling across America.
Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and a sleek modern train traveling across America.
Two Little Trains
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and sleek, modern train traveling across America.
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and sleek, modern train traveling across America.
Two Many Birds
Cindy Derby
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When one bird goes too far in trying to control all the other birds, a revolt results in positive change. Humorous watercolor illustrations accompany this allegory.
Cindy Derby
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When one bird goes too far in trying to control all the other birds, a revolt results in positive change. Humorous watercolor illustrations accompany this allegory.
Under the Great Plum Tree
Sufiya Ahmed
Illustrator: Reza Dalvand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
With friendship, quick-thinking, and bravery, a good-hearted monkey is almost betrayed by her friend, the crocodile. Both are horrified. Colorful "Indo-Persian" illustrations.
Sufiya Ahmed
Illustrator: Reza Dalvand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
With friendship, quick-thinking, and bravery, a good-hearted monkey is almost betrayed by her friend, the crocodile. Both are horrified. Colorful "Indo-Persian" illustrations.
Up On Bob
Mary Sullivan
Illustrator: Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A dog clears the bed of dolls and toys to settle down for a nap, but an intruder spoils his plans. Expressive digital art.
Mary Sullivan
Illustrator: Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A dog clears the bed of dolls and toys to settle down for a nap, but an intruder spoils his plans. Expressive digital art.
Up to My Knees! (Storytelling Math series)
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A child plants a sunflower seed and measures how tall it grows by comparing its height to her body. Clear, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A child plants a sunflower seed and measures how tall it grows by comparing its height to her body. Clear, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Vinny Gets a Job
Terry Brodner
Illustrator: Terry Brodner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Seeking to imitate his owner, a pet dog gets a job, but continually misunderstands directions. Humorous, mid-20th century-styled illustrations.
Terry Brodner
Illustrator: Terry Brodner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Seeking to imitate his owner, a pet dog gets a job, but continually misunderstands directions. Humorous, mid-20th century-styled illustrations.
Welcome to Your World
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A mother introduces mountains, valleys, oceans, and skies to her baby. Lyrical rhymes and brightly colored illustrations illuminate the natural world.
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A mother introduces mountains, valleys, oceans, and skies to her baby. Lyrical rhymes and brightly colored illustrations illuminate the natural world.
What Matters Most
Emma Dodd
Illustrator: Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In simple rhymed text, a horse reassures her foal that their love will endure. Emotionally evocative muted color illustrations with embossed foil.
Emma Dodd
Illustrator: Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In simple rhymed text, a horse reassures her foal that their love will endure. Emotionally evocative muted color illustrations with embossed foil.
What Will Fit? (Storytelling Math series)
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
At the farmer's market a black child tries to put a "just right" object in her basket. Bold colored art, an age-appropriate exploration of spatial skills.
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
At the farmer's market a black child tries to put a "just right" object in her basket. Bold colored art, an age-appropriate exploration of spatial skills.