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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Daddy-Sitting
written and illustrated by Eve Coy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The daughter of a stay-at-home dad describes how she helps him get through the day. Engaging watercolor and colored pencil illustrations add to the humor.
written and illustrated by Eve Coy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The daughter of a stay-at-home dad describes how she helps him get through the day. Engaging watercolor and colored pencil illustrations add to the humor.
Daniel's Good Day
written and illustrated by Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Daniel questions what makes a good day in his diverse neighborhood and discovers what makes his. Engaging repetitive text and colorful oil and collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Daniel questions what makes a good day in his diverse neighborhood and discovers what makes his. Engaging repetitive text and colorful oil and collage illustrations.
Días y días/Days and Days
by Ginger Foglesong Guy
Illustrator: René King Moreno
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lively detailed pastels illustrate seasonal activities and vocabulary. Diverse children are pictured.
by Ginger Foglesong Guy
Illustrator: René King Moreno
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lively detailed pastels illustrate seasonal activities and vocabulary. Diverse children are pictured.
Double Bass Blues
by Andrea J. Loney
Illustrator: Rudy Gutierrez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A talented school musician, Nic, bravely journeys to the city to play with his grandfather's jazz group. Colorful acrylic illustrations convey joy and motion. Onomatopoeia.
by Andrea J. Loney
Illustrator: Rudy Gutierrez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A talented school musician, Nic, bravely journeys to the city to play with his grandfather's jazz group. Colorful acrylic illustrations convey joy and motion. Onomatopoeia.
Dragon Night
written and illustrated by J. R. Krause
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Georgie is afraid of the dark until one night a dragon, fleeing a knight, takes him on an adventure. Pen and ink drawings, colored digitally.
written and illustrated by J. R. Krause
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Georgie is afraid of the dark until one night a dragon, fleeing a knight, takes him on an adventure. Pen and ink drawings, colored digitally.
Duck!
by Meg McKinlay
Illustrator: Nathaniel Eckstrom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Frantically, Duck screams “Duck!” to the farmyard animals who each explain what they are and scold him for screaming his name. Full page mixed media illustrations.
by Meg McKinlay
Illustrator: Nathaniel Eckstrom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Frantically, Duck screams “Duck!” to the farmyard animals who each explain what they are and scold him for screaming his name. Full page mixed media illustrations.
Explorers
written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
On a museum visit, an “escaped” flying toy brings two diverse families together. Whimsical mixed-media illustrations tell this nearly wordless story.
written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
On a museum visit, an “escaped” flying toy brings two diverse families together. Whimsical mixed-media illustrations tell this nearly wordless story.
Field Trip to the Moon
written and illustrated by John Hare
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - In this wordless book, one curious astronaut, accidentally left behind, befriends moon creatures using the power of crayon. Rich, humorous illustrations encourage imaginative dialogue.
written and illustrated by John Hare
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - In this wordless book, one curious astronaut, accidentally left behind, befriends moon creatures using the power of crayon. Rich, humorous illustrations encourage imaginative dialogue.
Firefighters' Handbook
written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This comprehensive guide for aspiring firefighters is packed with humor. Cartoon illustrations, labeled diagrams, and simple explanations of the profession. Back matter includes photographs and interviews.
written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This comprehensive guide for aspiring firefighters is packed with humor. Cartoon illustrations, labeled diagrams, and simple explanations of the profession. Back matter includes photographs and interviews.
Flubby Is Not a Good Pet! (Flubby series)
written and illustrated by J. E. Morris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
list with Flubby Will Not Play With That Captivating colorful cartoon illustrations accompany spare, repetitive text to tell the humorous adventures of a child's pet cat.
written and illustrated by J. E. Morris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
list with Flubby Will Not Play With That Captivating colorful cartoon illustrations accompany spare, repetitive text to tell the humorous adventures of a child's pet cat.
Flubby Will Not Play with That
written and illustrated by J. E. Morris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
list with Flubby Is Not a Good Pet
written and illustrated by J. E. Morris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
list with Flubby Is Not a Good Pet
Ghost Cat
written and illustrated by Kevan Atteberry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G Muted digital art captures a child's love for his former cat. That ghost cat leads him to a lovely surprise.
written and illustrated by Kevan Atteberry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G Muted digital art captures a child's love for his former cat. That ghost cat leads him to a lovely surprise.
Good Boy
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A boy and his dog share a day full of adventures from fetching to traveling by spaceship to reading bedtime stories. Comical ink-and-watercolor illustratiions.
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A boy and his dog share a day full of adventures from fetching to traveling by spaceship to reading bedtime stories. Comical ink-and-watercolor illustratiions.
Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend!
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Saying goodbye to some one or some thing is hard but can lead to saying hello to new people or things. Digital ink drawings enhance a poignant text.
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Saying goodbye to some one or some thing is hard but can lead to saying hello to new people or things. Digital ink drawings enhance a poignant text.
Good Night Wind
by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Illustrator: Maëlle Doliveux
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - In this retelling of a Yiddish tale, a whirling, howling wind is quieted by two wise children. Powerful, vibrant collage-like illustrations.
by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Illustrator: Maëlle Doliveux
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - In this retelling of a Yiddish tale, a whirling, howling wind is quieted by two wise children. Powerful, vibrant collage-like illustrations.
Good Night, World
by Nicola Edwards
Illustrator: Hannah Tolson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In a myriad of ways of anticipating bedtime, a myriad of languages are used to say “good night.” Strikingly bold illustrations capture the lyrical text.
by Nicola Edwards
Illustrator: Hannah Tolson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In a myriad of ways of anticipating bedtime, a myriad of languages are used to say “good night.” Strikingly bold illustrations capture the lyrical text.
Hello, I'm Here!
poetry by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Vivid photographs and rhyming text follow the development of two sandhill cranes as they peck open their eggs, walk, swim, and fly. Back matter.
poetry by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Vivid photographs and rhyming text follow the development of two sandhill cranes as they peck open their eggs, walk, swim, and fly. Back matter.
Hide and Seek
written and illustrated by Polly Noakes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A brown skinned child plays with animal friends while a wolf lurks in the background. Engaging colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Polly Noakes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A brown skinned child plays with animal friends while a wolf lurks in the background. Engaging colored pencil illustrations.
Hooray for Babies!
by Susan Meyers
Illustrator: Sue Cornelison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Babies in the mirror, on the beach, in the water, on mats, playing, moving, dancing, sharing, eating, and sleeping. Large format with mixed media illustrations.
by Susan Meyers
Illustrator: Sue Cornelison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Babies in the mirror, on the beach, in the water, on mats, playing, moving, dancing, sharing, eating, and sleeping. Large format with mixed media illustrations.
How Do You Dance?
written and illustrated by Thyra Heder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dancing is a creative, intergenerational, diverse activity, but does everyone need to join in? Action-inspired pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Thyra Heder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dancing is a creative, intergenerational, diverse activity, but does everyone need to join in? Action-inspired pencil and watercolor illustrations.
How Do You Go to Sleep?
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The sleeping habits of a range of young animals told in a soothing way make a perfect bedtime story for a human child. Playful mixed-media illustrations.
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The sleeping habits of a range of young animals told in a soothing way make a perfect bedtime story for a human child. Playful mixed-media illustrations.
How to Be a Cat
written and illustrated by Nikki McClure
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dynamic black-and-white paper-cut illustrations and action words depict the many adventures of two kittens.
written and illustrated by Nikki McClure
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dynamic black-and-white paper-cut illustrations and action words depict the many adventures of two kittens.
How to Two
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Count as, one by one, a diverse group of children come together to play and explore. Colorful, energetic mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Count as, one by one, a diverse group of children come together to play and explore. Colorful, energetic mixed-media illustrations.
Huggy Kissy
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Toddler and parent affection is expressed in many ways in these boldly outlined and vibrant acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Toddler and parent affection is expressed in many ways in these boldly outlined and vibrant acrylic illustrations.
Hum and Swish
written and illustrated by Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - Jamie just wants to quietly work on her art project by the sea, but people keep disturbing her asking what she's making. Acrylic and oil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - Jamie just wants to quietly work on her art project by the sea, but people keep disturbing her asking what she's making. Acrylic and oil illustrations.