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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Hungry Jim
by Laurel Snyder
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Jim wakes up feeling beastly and imagines himself as a lion devouring the town around him. Energetic pencil illustrations.
by Laurel Snyder
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Jim wakes up feeling beastly and imagines himself as a lion devouring the town around him. Energetic pencil illustrations.
Hush, Little Bunny
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A papa bunny introduces his little one to the beauty and dangers in the natural world, promising to keep him safe. Soft, earth-toned mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A papa bunny introduces his little one to the beauty and dangers in the natural world, promising to keep him safe. Soft, earth-toned mixed-media illustrations.
I Am a Tiger
by Karl Newson
Illustrator: Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Despite his friends' disbelief, Mouse insists he's a tiger - until he looks at himself in the pond. Bright, color illustrations highlight the laugh-out-loud silliness.
by Karl Newson
Illustrator: Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Despite his friends' disbelief, Mouse insists he's a tiger - until he looks at himself in the pond. Bright, color illustrations highlight the laugh-out-loud silliness.
I Am Not a Fish
written and illustrated by Peter Raymundo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
With help from starfish in an Underwater Support Group, Edgar, a jellyfish, begins to enjoy being a jellyfish. Comic digital illustrations with speech bubbles.
written and illustrated by Peter Raymundo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
With help from starfish in an Underwater Support Group, Edgar, a jellyfish, begins to enjoy being a jellyfish. Comic digital illustrations with speech bubbles.
I Can Only Draw Worms
written and illustrated by Will Mabbitt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ten worms in bright neon colors are enhanced by humorous text.
written and illustrated by Will Mabbitt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ten worms in bright neon colors are enhanced by humorous text.
I Love All of Me (Wonderful Me series)
by Lorie Ann Grover
Illustrator: Carolina Búzio
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Young children celebrate who they are as they encounter their worlds. Simple, bright illustrations.
by Lorie Ann Grover
Illustrator: Carolina Búzio
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Young children celebrate who they are as they encounter their worlds. Simple, bright illustrations.
In Every House, On Every Street
by Jess Hitchman
Illustrator: Lili La Baleine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A mixed-race family goes about their day with laughter and love in this sweet celebration of home. Warm digital illustrations.
by Jess Hitchman
Illustrator: Lili La Baleine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A mixed-race family goes about their day with laughter and love in this sweet celebration of home. Warm digital illustrations.
I See the Moon
illustrated by Rosalind Bradshaw
Illustrator: Rosalind Bradshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Colorful, cheerful mixed-media illustrations depicting children of multiple ethnicities are the perfect accompaniment to this collection of bedtime poems.
illustrated by Rosalind Bradshaw
Illustrator: Rosalind Bradshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Colorful, cheerful mixed-media illustrations depicting children of multiple ethnicities are the perfect accompaniment to this collection of bedtime poems.
I Want a Dog
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young girl enters an animal shelter determined to adopt a dog, but leaves with a surprising new pet. Retro cartoon-style watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young girl enters an animal shelter determined to adopt a dog, but leaves with a surprising new pet. Retro cartoon-style watercolor illustrations.
Jump!
written and illustrated by Tatsuhide Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A frog jumps, and eight more creatures follow. Can all of them jump? Beautifully composed vertical spreads show subjects at rest and (when able) aloft.
written and illustrated by Tatsuhide Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A frog jumps, and eight more creatures follow. Can all of them jump? Beautifully composed vertical spreads show subjects at rest and (when able) aloft.
Just Because
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
At bedtime, a young child playfully asks questions to delay going to sleep. Black-and-white mixed-media illustrations with a splash of color.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
At bedtime, a young child playfully asks questions to delay going to sleep. Black-and-white mixed-media illustrations with a splash of color.
Kol Hakavod
by Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh
Illustrator: Sarah-Jayne Mercer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Good deeds done when no one is looking are praised by the Hebrew phrase. Rhyming text and endearing colorful watercolor illustrations.
by Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh
Illustrator: Sarah-Jayne Mercer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Good deeds done when no one is looking are praised by the Hebrew phrase. Rhyming text and endearing colorful watercolor illustrations.
Lawrence in the Fall
by Matthew Farina
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lawrence needs to bring something he collects for “show-and-tell,” but he doesn't collect anything. What will he do? Lush, muted color illustrations.
by Matthew Farina
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lawrence needs to bring something he collects for “show-and-tell,” but he doesn't collect anything. What will he do? Lush, muted color illustrations.
Let Me Sleep, Sheep!
by Meg McKinlay
Illustrator: Leila Rudge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Amos must build a fence for the sheep suddenly crowding his room to jump over. Amusing deadpan text and unusual mixed-media illustrations in a pale palette.
by Meg McKinlay
Illustrator: Leila Rudge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Amos must build a fence for the sheep suddenly crowding his room to jump over. Amusing deadpan text and unusual mixed-media illustrations in a pale palette.
Let's Have a Dog Party!
illustrated by Mikela Prevost
Illustrator: Mikela Prevost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Frank prefers a nap in the sun to all the noisy festivities his friends provide but does love the cake! Humorous watercolor, acrylic, pencil, and collage illustrations.
illustrated by Mikela Prevost
Illustrator: Mikela Prevost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Frank prefers a nap in the sun to all the noisy festivities his friends provide but does love the cake! Humorous watercolor, acrylic, pencil, and collage illustrations.
Little Fish and Mommy
written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Little fish explores the ocean environment with mommy. Appealing gouache illustrations and hand lettering.
written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Little fish explores the ocean environment with mommy. Appealing gouache illustrations and hand lettering.
Little Juniper Makes It Big
written and illustrated by Aidan Cassie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Juniper finds everything at her house too big, but after a visit to a small friend's home, it becomes just right--almost. Humorous, expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by Aidan Cassie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Juniper finds everything at her house too big, but after a visit to a small friend's home, it becomes just right--almost. Humorous, expressive illustrations.
Little Mole's Wish
by Sang-Keun Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A lonely child befriends a snowball which he fashions into a bear. How can he keep his friend? Colored pencil pastel and pen illustrations.
by Sang-Keun Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A lonely child befriends a snowball which he fashions into a bear. How can he keep his friend? Colored pencil pastel and pen illustrations.
Little Taco Truck
by Tanya Valentine
Illustrator: Jorge Martin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Little Taco Truck is suddenly forced to share the street with other food trucks. A real life dilemma told simply and sympathetically. Appealing digital illustrations.
by Tanya Valentine
Illustrator: Jorge Martin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Little Taco Truck is suddenly forced to share the street with other food trucks. A real life dilemma told simply and sympathetically. Appealing digital illustrations.
Lizzy McTizzy and the Busy Dizzy Day
by Sarah Weeks
Illustrator: Lee Wildish
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lizzy needs to find her matching blue shoe before she can attend the birthday party . . . or does she? Cheerful and bright digital illustrations.
by Sarah Weeks
Illustrator: Lee Wildish
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lizzy needs to find her matching blue shoe before she can attend the birthday party . . . or does she? Cheerful and bright digital illustrations.
Lola Goes to School
by Anna McQuinn
Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lola prepares for and attends her first day of preschool. Gentle full-page drawings of each activity.
by Anna McQuinn
Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lola prepares for and attends her first day of preschool. Gentle full-page drawings of each activity.
Mommy Sayang (Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase series)
written and illustrated by Rosana Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Aleeya's mother promises to always be there for her. When she gets sick, Aleeya must deal with the changes. Softly colored digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rosana Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Aleeya's mother promises to always be there for her. When she gets sick, Aleeya must deal with the changes. Softly colored digital illustrations.
My Big Bad Monster
written and illustrated by A. N. Kang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young girl deals with an internal scolding voice that reinforces her feelings of self-doubt. Bright colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by A. N. Kang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young girl deals with an internal scolding voice that reinforces her feelings of self-doubt. Bright colorful illustrations.
My Forest Is Green
by Darren Lebeuf
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Playful, layered collage illustrations detail one boy's experience exploring in the woods.
by Darren Lebeuf
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Playful, layered collage illustrations detail one boy's experience exploring in the woods.