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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My Heart
written and illustrated by Corinna Luyken
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
With minimal color palette and lyrical text, children are empowered to examine the many emotional states of their heart as well as to deal with them,
written and illustrated by Corinna Luyken
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
With minimal color palette and lyrical text, children are empowered to examine the many emotional states of their heart as well as to deal with them,
My Mommy Medicine
by Edwidge Danticat
Illustrator: Shannon Wright
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A little girl and her mother share games, treats, hugs, and bedtime stories in a quiet celebration of love. Digital illustrations portray an African American family.
by Edwidge Danticat
Illustrator: Shannon Wright
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A little girl and her mother share games, treats, hugs, and bedtime stories in a quiet celebration of love. Digital illustrations portray an African American family.
Night Train
by Annie Cronin Romano
Illustrator: Ileana Soon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhythmic words, repeated sounds, and retro digital illustrations evoke a sense of the nighttime journeys of trains in days gone by.
by Annie Cronin Romano
Illustrator: Ileana Soon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhythmic words, repeated sounds, and retro digital illustrations evoke a sense of the nighttime journeys of trains in days gone by.
Nine Months
by Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Realistic gouache and watercolor illustrations of the growing fetus pair with rhyming text to celebrate a family preparing to welcome a baby.
by Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Realistic gouache and watercolor illustrations of the growing fetus pair with rhyming text to celebrate a family preparing to welcome a baby.
Oh, Bear
by Melissa Nelson Greenberg
Illustrator: Ruth Hengeveld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
When bird rescues Bear's new yellow kite from a tree, Bear discovers that his loss leads to an even more satisfying experience. Simple pastel illustrations.
by Melissa Nelson Greenberg
Illustrator: Ruth Hengeveld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
When bird rescues Bear's new yellow kite from a tree, Bear discovers that his loss leads to an even more satisfying experience. Simple pastel illustrations.
One Dark Bird
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Vivid hand-drawn and digital art accompany this engaging rhymed counting book about starlings as they swoop over a diverse neighborhood.
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Vivid hand-drawn and digital art accompany this engaging rhymed counting book about starlings as they swoop over a diverse neighborhood.
One Fox
written and illustrated by Kate Read
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Count along and find out what happens when a hungry fox unexpectedly arrives at a henhouse. Striking mixed media illustrations with textured collage and painting.
written and illustrated by Kate Read
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Count along and find out what happens when a hungry fox unexpectedly arrives at a henhouse. Striking mixed media illustrations with textured collage and painting.
One Is a Piñata
by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Engaging verses and lively, colorful illustrations highlighting Mexican American culture teach children how to count in both English and Spanish.
by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Illustrator: John Parra
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Engaging verses and lively, colorful illustrations highlighting Mexican American culture teach children how to count in both English and Spanish.
One Yellow Ribbon
written and illustrated by Marthe Jocelyn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A wordless board book follows the journey of one yellow ribbon as it trasforms into other objects. Detailed paper collage artwork.
written and illustrated by Marthe Jocelyn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A wordless board book follows the journey of one yellow ribbon as it trasforms into other objects. Detailed paper collage artwork.
Our Favorite Day
written and illustrated by Joowon Oh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The loving and creative relationship between a grandfather and his grandchild is depicted in colorful cut paper illustrations.
written and illustrated by Joowon Oh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The loving and creative relationship between a grandfather and his grandchild is depicted in colorful cut paper illustrations.
Paper Mice
by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Illustrator: Phoebe Wahl
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two paper rodents, created by a clip and a snip, set out to explore the night. Lyrical text and layered mixed-media illustrations.
by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Illustrator: Phoebe Wahl
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two paper rodents, created by a clip and a snip, set out to explore the night. Lyrical text and layered mixed-media illustrations.
Pokko and the Drum
written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Pokko, a frog, takes her new drum into the woods, and is soon joined by instrument-playing animals. What a parade! Watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Pokko, a frog, takes her new drum into the woods, and is soon joined by instrument-playing animals. What a parade! Watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations.
Pride Colors
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhyming text and photographs of children with diverse skin hues celebrate love, individuality, and the rainbow flag. Back matter explains Pride Day and the rainbow flag's meaning.
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhyming text and photographs of children with diverse skin hues celebrate love, individuality, and the rainbow flag. Back matter explains Pride Day and the rainbow flag's meaning.
Pumpkin Orange, Pumpkin Round
by Rosanna Battigelli
Illustrator: Tara Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A family of cats pick a pumpkin to celebrate Halloween. Told in rhyme with mixed-media illustrations.
by Rosanna Battigelli
Illustrator: Tara Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A family of cats pick a pumpkin to celebrate Halloween. Told in rhyme with mixed-media illustrations.
Raj and the Best Day Ever!
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Raj and his dad plan an outing, but when dad discovers he forgot his wallet, they use their imagination and find enjoyable substitutions. Strongly colored mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Raj and his dad plan an outing, but when dad discovers he forgot his wallet, they use their imagination and find enjoyable substitutions. Strongly colored mixed-media illustrations.
Roar Like a Dandelion
by Ruth Krauss
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This alphabet book charms with its unusual way of referring to initial letters. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Ruth Krauss
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This alphabet book charms with its unusual way of referring to initial letters. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
Rosie and Rasmus
written and illustrated by Serena Geddes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rosie, a lonely small girl, and Rasmus, a lonely large dragon, help fulfill each other's wishes, until they must part. Soft, watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Serena Geddes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rosie, a lonely small girl, and Rasmus, a lonely large dragon, help fulfill each other's wishes, until they must part. Soft, watercolor illustrations.
Saturday
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ava and Mom have big plans, but disappointment threatens their joy. Will they find a way to save the day? Mixed-media collages.
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ava and Mom have big plans, but disappointment threatens their joy. Will they find a way to save the day? Mixed-media collages.
Say Something!
written and illustrated by Peter Hamilton Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hand lettered text and a diverse array of characters encourage readers to express themselves and make a positive difference in the world. Bold colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Peter Hamilton Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hand lettered text and a diverse array of characters encourage readers to express themselves and make a positive difference in the world. Bold colorful illustrations.
Sea Bear
written and illustrated by Lindsay Moore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Poetic text and muted color illustrations convey the effects climate change has on the life of a polar bear as warming causes the ice to melt.
written and illustrated by Lindsay Moore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Poetic text and muted color illustrations convey the effects climate change has on the life of a polar bear as warming causes the ice to melt.
Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep
written and illustrated by Eric Barclay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Who is watching out for whom in this humorous romp about friendship and finding one's purpose? Entertaining pencil and photoshopped spot illustrations.
written and illustrated by Eric Barclay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Who is watching out for whom in this humorous romp about friendship and finding one's purpose? Entertaining pencil and photoshopped spot illustrations.
Side by Side
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In exuberant watercolors, fathers and children enjoy and learn from each other. Minimal, poetic text.
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In exuberant watercolors, fathers and children enjoy and learn from each other. Minimal, poetic text.
Sign Off
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
What if symbols and figures jumped off road signs to take their places in the real world? Bright graphics convey this playful story without words.
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
What if symbols and figures jumped off road signs to take their places in the real world? Bright graphics convey this playful story without words.
Skyscraper
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Active verbs accompany spare graphic prints of the machines used to build a skyscraper. Double page spread illustrations capture the activity. Glossary included.
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Active verbs accompany spare graphic prints of the machines used to build a skyscraper. Double page spread illustrations capture the activity. Glossary included.
So Big!
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two friends face their first day at a really big school. Rhythmic, repetitive text and appealing full-color acrylic and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two friends face their first day at a really big school. Rhythmic, repetitive text and appealing full-color acrylic and gouache illustrations.