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
It's My Tree
Olivier Tallec
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Squirrel must figure out a way to keep everyone else away from "his" pinecones. Can he enforce his proclamation? Should he? Expressive illustrations with an emphasis on yellow and orange.
Olivier Tallec
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Squirrel must figure out a way to keep everyone else away from "his" pinecones. Can he enforce his proclamation? Should he? Expressive illustrations with an emphasis on yellow and orange.
Ivy Bird
Tania McCartney
Illustrator: Jeff Racklyeft
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Ivy spreads her imaginary wings as she imitates the sounds and manners of twelve birds as she goes throughout her daily activities. Vivid playful illustrations.
Tania McCartney
Illustrator: Jeff Racklyeft
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Ivy spreads her imaginary wings as she imitates the sounds and manners of twelve birds as she goes throughout her daily activities. Vivid playful illustrations.
Julia's House Moves On
Ben Hatke
Illustrator: Ben Hatke
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Julia is faced with many challenges as she tries to move her house full of lost creatures. Beautiful exciting watercolor illustrations.
Ben Hatke
Illustrator: Ben Hatke
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Julia is faced with many challenges as she tries to move her house full of lost creatures. Beautiful exciting watercolor illustrations.
Keith Among the Pigeons
Katie Brosman
Illustrator: Katie Brosman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Keith, the cat, wished he were a pigeon. Maybe if he pasted feathers on his body, he could become one. Bright color illustrations.
Katie Brosman
Illustrator: Katie Brosman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Keith, the cat, wished he were a pigeon. Maybe if he pasted feathers on his body, he could become one. Bright color illustrations.
Knowing the Name of a Bird
Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Jori van der Linde
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Poetic language and vivid illustrations of birds gently deliver the important message that we cannot understand any living creature including a fellow human without striving to connect deeply.
Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Jori van der Linde
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Poetic language and vivid illustrations of birds gently deliver the important message that we cannot understand any living creature including a fellow human without striving to connect deeply.
Lali's Feather
Farhana Zia
Illustrator: Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Set in India, this gentle story of a creative little girl who finds a stray feather tells how imagination can transform anything. Appealing illustrations of a rural community.
Farhana Zia
Illustrator: Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Set in India, this gentle story of a creative little girl who finds a stray feather tells how imagination can transform anything. Appealing illustrations of a rural community.
Let's Swap For a Day
Shu-Ti Liao
Illustrator: Shu-Ti Liao
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A child and her dog enjoy trading lives for a day until ... Child-friendly, energetic illustrations match a humorous, breezy tale.
Shu-Ti Liao
Illustrator: Shu-Ti Liao
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A child and her dog enjoy trading lives for a day until ... Child-friendly, energetic illustrations match a humorous, breezy tale.
Lift
Minh Le
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The exuberant emotional maturing of a little girl is shown through the power of her imagination and an elevator button. Practically text-free, a graphic picture book of wonder.
Minh Le
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The exuberant emotional maturing of a little girl is shown through the power of her imagination and an elevator button. Practically text-free, a graphic picture book of wonder.
Little Baby's Busy Day (A Finger Wiggle Book)
Sally Symes
Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A toddler's activities are enhanced by colorful cut-out illustrations that allow fingers to protrude through exit holes that represent legs.
Sally Symes
Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A toddler's activities are enhanced by colorful cut-out illustrations that allow fingers to protrude through exit holes that represent legs.
Little Baby's Playtime (A Finger Wiggle Book)
Sally Symes
Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A toddler's activities are enhanced by colorful cut-out illustrations that allow fingers to protrude through exit holes that represent legs.
Sally Symes
Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A toddler's activities are enhanced by colorful cut-out illustrations that allow fingers to protrude through exit holes that represent legs.
Little Bear's Treasures
Stella Dreis
Illustrator: Stella Dreis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
No one appreciates Little Bear's humble treasured objects until Little Bird comes along. Soft, muted pastels with accents of color magically capture the wonder of friendship.
Stella Dreis
Illustrator: Stella Dreis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
No one appreciates Little Bear's humble treasured objects until Little Bird comes along. Soft, muted pastels with accents of color magically capture the wonder of friendship.
Little Duckling Who Wouldn't Get Wet, The
Gek Tessaro
Illustrator: Gek Tessaro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A duckling who refused to go in the water until he was good and ready is told in a humorous vein. Appealing illustrations.
Gek Tessaro
Illustrator: Gek Tessaro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A duckling who refused to go in the water until he was good and ready is told in a humorous vein. Appealing illustrations.
Little Penguin (Little Animal Friends series)
Julie Abery
Illustrator: Suzie Mason
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
An Emperor chick takes his first step in his journey to leave his mama. Beautiful, tonalistic illustrations.
Julie Abery
Illustrator: Suzie Mason
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
An Emperor chick takes his first step in his journey to leave his mama. Beautiful, tonalistic illustrations.
Little Wise Wolf
Gijs van der Hammen
Illustrator: Hanneke Siemensma
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Too busy to engage with others, a wolf with superior abilities is humbled by the kindness of friends. Words and illustrations add a touch of magic.
Gijs van der Hammen
Illustrator: Hanneke Siemensma
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Too busy to engage with others, a wolf with superior abilities is humbled by the kindness of friends. Words and illustrations add a touch of magic.
Looking for Smile
Ellen Tarlow
Illustrator: Lauren Stringer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Bear learns that he may not always feel happy, but a friend and a song can help restore his mood and smile. Color palette reflects changing emotions.
Ellen Tarlow
Illustrator: Lauren Stringer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Bear learns that he may not always feel happy, but a friend and a song can help restore his mood and smile. Color palette reflects changing emotions.
Louis
Tom Lichtenheld
Illustrator: Julie Rowan-Zoch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A beloved teddy bear speaks out about all the unreasonable requirements of his job in this sweet relatable story. Expressive vibrant artwork created on an iPad using Procreate.
Tom Lichtenheld
Illustrator: Julie Rowan-Zoch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A beloved teddy bear speaks out about all the unreasonable requirements of his job in this sweet relatable story. Expressive vibrant artwork created on an iPad using Procreate.
Love by Sophia (The Sophia Books series)
Jim Averbeck
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl learns the power of perspective in life and art defending her depiction of love to her diverse family. An art lesson and watercolor art included.
Jim Averbeck
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl learns the power of perspective in life and art defending her depiction of love to her diverse family. An art lesson and watercolor art included.
Mommy, Carry Me Please
Jane Cabrera
Illustrator: Jane Cabrera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Animal mothers carry their babies in many different ways reflecting their motherhood roles. Evocative vibrant illustrations.
Jane Cabrera
Illustrator: Jane Cabrera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Animal mothers carry their babies in many different ways reflecting their motherhood roles. Evocative vibrant illustrations.
Most Amazing Bird, The
Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
Illustrator: Andrew Qappik
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
An Inuit girl overcomes her dislike of ravens, eagerly awaiting their return during the harsh winter after other species have deserted. Soft-tone illustrations illuminate the changing seasons.
Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
Illustrator: Andrew Qappik
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
An Inuit girl overcomes her dislike of ravens, eagerly awaiting their return during the harsh winter after other species have deserted. Soft-tone illustrations illuminate the changing seasons.
Motor Mouse Delivers (Motor Mouse series)
Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Three humorous stories and charming mixed-media illustrations detail the adventures of a very philosophical mouse.
Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Three humorous stories and charming mixed-media illustrations detail the adventures of a very philosophical mouse.
My Favorite Color
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A gorgeous spectrum of color palettes viewed through translucent light and accompanied by lyrical text provide an invitation to understand what a favorite means.
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A gorgeous spectrum of color palettes viewed through translucent light and accompanied by lyrical text provide an invitation to understand what a favorite means.
My Rainy Day Rocket Ship
Markette Sheppard
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A stay-at-home day challenges a creative girl to create an imaginative rocket ship for a space adventure. Bright painterly acrylics elevate black figures.
Markette Sheppard
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A stay-at-home day challenges a creative girl to create an imaginative rocket ship for a space adventure. Bright painterly acrylics elevate black figures.
Natsumi's Song of Summer
Robert Paul Weston
Illustrator: Misa Saburi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Young Natsumi welcomes her American cousin to Japan and shares her favorite things about summer, including cicadas! Traditional Japanese verse is showcased by soft vibrant illustrations. Back matter.
Robert Paul Weston
Illustrator: Misa Saburi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Young Natsumi welcomes her American cousin to Japan and shares her favorite things about summer, including cicadas! Traditional Japanese verse is showcased by soft vibrant illustrations. Back matter.
Nesting
Henry Cole
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
From the male's early-spring mating song, simple but elegant text traces the life cycle of this family of robins. Arresting pen and acrylic illustrations add lively details.
Henry Cole
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
From the male's early-spring mating song, simple but elegant text traces the life cycle of this family of robins. Arresting pen and acrylic illustrations add lively details.
No Ordinary Jacket
Sue-Ellen Pashley
Illustrator: Thea Baker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Amelia's favorite jacket doesn't fit her any more. What will she do so she can keep the jacket forever? Engaging collage illustrations.
Sue-Ellen Pashley
Illustrator: Thea Baker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Amelia's favorite jacket doesn't fit her any more. What will she do so she can keep the jacket forever? Engaging collage illustrations.