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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Old Rock (is not boring)
written and illustrated by Deb Pilutti
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The creatures of the wild think that smiling rock's life is dull until it communicates its long experience through history's eras. Imaginative watercolor and digital paintings. Timeline.
written and illustrated by Deb Pilutti
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
The creatures of the wild think that smiling rock's life is dull until it communicates its long experience through history's eras. Imaginative watercolor and digital paintings. Timeline.
Only a Tree Knows How to be a Tree
Mary Murphy
Illustrator: Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
All of nature, including trees, dogs, fish, and finally, people, have unique characteristics that define them. Digital illustrations in brush and ink.
Mary Murphy
Illustrator: Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
All of nature, including trees, dogs, fish, and finally, people, have unique characteristics that define them. Digital illustrations in brush and ink.
Only the Cat Saw
Ashley Wolff
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Warm acrylic gouache illustrations on double-page spreads showcase a cat experiencing the natural world around him as his family goes about their daily activities.
Ashley Wolff
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Warm acrylic gouache illustrations on double-page spreads showcase a cat experiencing the natural world around him as his family goes about their daily activities.
On the Go Awesome
Lisl H. Detlefsen
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A young boy imagines himself not just watching a variety of things that go, but actually operating them. Bold over-the-top digital art captures the excitement.
Lisl H. Detlefsen
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A young boy imagines himself not just watching a variety of things that go, but actually operating them. Bold over-the-top digital art captures the excitement.
Perfectly Perfect Wish, The
Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl who is offered one wish shows us what it means to be empathetic and kind. Watercolor and digital illustrations.
Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl who is offered one wish shows us what it means to be empathetic and kind. Watercolor and digital illustrations.
Play Outside
Laurent Moreau
Illustrator: Laurent Moreau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Children, sent outside to play, embark upon a worldwide adventure and "discover" 250 animals. Simple illustrations. Chart with data on each animal.
Laurent Moreau
Illustrator: Laurent Moreau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Children, sent outside to play, embark upon a worldwide adventure and "discover" 250 animals. Simple illustrations. Chart with data on each animal.
Plenty of Hugs
Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Kate Alizadeh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Two moms and their toddler spend a day celebrating nature and their time together as a family. Vibrant illustrations.
Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Kate Alizadeh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Two moms and their toddler spend a day celebrating nature and their time together as a family. Vibrant illustrations.
Polar Bear in the Snow, A
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Simple words and photographed collages in white, greys, and blues invite us to follow a black nose on a polar bear's joyous journeying in the Arctic.
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Simple words and photographed collages in white, greys, and blues invite us to follow a black nose on a polar bear's joyous journeying in the Arctic.
Power of One, The: Every Act of Kindness Counts
Trudy Ludwig
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Straightforward minimal text and colorful expressive illustrations spotlighting specific examples enhance the message that even the act of a single person can affect positive change. Back matter.
Trudy Ludwig
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Straightforward minimal text and colorful expressive illustrations spotlighting specific examples enhance the message that even the act of a single person can affect positive change. Back matter.
Prairie Days
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Mixed-media illustrations filled with period details perfectly complement this lyrical ode to life on the farm in days gone by.
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Mixed-media illustrations filled with period details perfectly complement this lyrical ode to life on the farm in days gone by.
Red Red Red
Polly Dunbar
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Little One wants a biscuit, falls and has a temper tantrum. Mom comes to the rescue and Little One learns a lesson. Simple, warm illustrations.
Polly Dunbar
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Little One wants a biscuit, falls and has a temper tantrum. Mom comes to the rescue and Little One learns a lesson. Simple, warm illustrations.
Secrets of the Loon
Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Charles Dayton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rhymed text enveloped in lyrical photographic settings capture an aquatic bird's first year as she learns to survive and spread her wings. End matter.
Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Charles Dayton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rhymed text enveloped in lyrical photographic settings capture an aquatic bird's first year as she learns to survive and spread her wings. End matter.
Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light
Apryl Stott
Illustrator: Apryl Stott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When Coco sets out to help her friend, Bear, to prove to other animals that he is not mean, they soon learn the true meaning of kindness. Joyful watercolor and digital ink illustrations.
Apryl Stott
Illustrator: Apryl Stott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When Coco sets out to help her friend, Bear, to prove to other animals that he is not mean, they soon learn the true meaning of kindness. Joyful watercolor and digital ink illustrations.
Smart George
Jules Feiffer
Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Puppy George resists his mother's simple arithmetic problems, but is caught in a dream where trees and other creatures demand answers. Hilarious cartoon illustrations.
Jules Feiffer
Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Puppy George resists his mother's simple arithmetic problems, but is caught in a dream where trees and other creatures demand answers. Hilarious cartoon illustrations.
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.