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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Sounds
written and illustrated by Katie Wilson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Learn the sounds made by a variety of instruments , from cymbals to flute! Colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Katie Wilson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Learn the sounds made by a variety of instruments , from cymbals to flute! Colorful illustrations.
Thank You!
by Charo Pita
Illustrator: Anuska Allepuz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Not all questions need to be answered! Endearing, colorful illustrations of Isabella, her grandmother, and nature.
by Charo Pita
Illustrator: Anuska Allepuz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Not all questions need to be answered! Endearing, colorful illustrations of Isabella, her grandmother, and nature.
The Big, Angry Roar
written and illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Various jungle animals offer advice to a lion cub who remains angry after being disciplined by his parent. Stunning cut paper illustrations on white background.
written and illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Various jungle animals offer advice to a lion cub who remains angry after being disciplined by his parent. Stunning cut paper illustrations on white background.
The Goose Egg
written and illustrated by Liz Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Interrupting her peaceful life to mother a gosling, an ingenious elephant teaches the bird how to become a goose, with surprising results. Animated, simple multimedia illustrations.
written and illustrated by Liz Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Interrupting her peaceful life to mother a gosling, an ingenious elephant teaches the bird how to become a goose, with surprising results. Animated, simple multimedia illustrations.
The Happy Book
written and illustrated by Andy Rash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Comic-like illustrations depict two friends who face complexities in navigating a variety of emotions as their friendship is tested.
written and illustrated by Andy Rash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Comic-like illustrations depict two friends who face complexities in navigating a variety of emotions as their friendship is tested.
The Home Builders
by Varsha Bajaj
Illustrator: Simona Mulazzani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhythmic, rhyming text and detailed lush art depict woodland animals digging, gnawing, and gathering to build dens, lodges, and nests to create homes for their young.
by Varsha Bajaj
Illustrator: Simona Mulazzani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhythmic, rhyming text and detailed lush art depict woodland animals digging, gnawing, and gathering to build dens, lodges, and nests to create homes for their young.
The Imperfect Garden
by Melissa Assaly
Illustrator: April dela Noche Milne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Gardening, harvesting, and shopping help a young child learn that fruits and vegetables don't have to be perfect to be delicious. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Melissa Assaly
Illustrator: April dela Noche Milne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Gardening, harvesting, and shopping help a young child learn that fruits and vegetables don't have to be perfect to be delicious. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
The Love Letter
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrator: Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hedgehog finds a mysterious love letter that is then found by bunny, and later by squirrel. Each one is enriched by the message. Charming mixed-media illustrations.
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrator: Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hedgehog finds a mysterious love letter that is then found by bunny, and later by squirrel. Each one is enriched by the message. Charming mixed-media illustrations.
The Most Terrible of All
by Muon Thị Văn
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Smugg prides himself on being the most terrible monster of all, until he meets his match in this humorous Snow White variation. Laugh-out-loud acrylic and and oil illustrations.
by Muon Thị Văn
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Smugg prides himself on being the most terrible monster of all, until he meets his match in this humorous Snow White variation. Laugh-out-loud acrylic and and oil illustrations.
The New Neighbors
written and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Neighbors become progressively biased as they learn that rats have moved into their building - that is until they meet the actual couple. Action packed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Neighbors become progressively biased as they learn that rats have moved into their building - that is until they meet the actual couple. Action packed illustrations.
The Night is Yours
by Abdul-Razak Zachariah
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Amani plays an evening game of hide-and-seek with her friends in the glow of the moon. Gentle appealing acrylic illustrations.
by Abdul-Razak Zachariah
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Amani plays an evening game of hide-and-seek with her friends in the glow of the moon. Gentle appealing acrylic illustrations.
The Peculiar Pig
written and illustrated by Joy Steuerwald
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Penny doesn't look like any of her siblings, but she proves she is an important member of the family. Hand drawn pencil illustrations, digitally painted.
written and illustrated by Joy Steuerwald
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Penny doesn't look like any of her siblings, but she proves she is an important member of the family. Hand drawn pencil illustrations, digitally painted.
The Perfect Seat
by Minh Lê
Illustrator: Gus Gordon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A father searches for the just right place to sit and read with his child. Illustrations in watercolor, pencil, crayon, and collage.
by Minh Lê
Illustrator: Gus Gordon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A father searches for the just right place to sit and read with his child. Illustrations in watercolor, pencil, crayon, and collage.
The Pigeon Has to Go to School
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Everyone says the pigeon has to go to school, but he thinks that's not such a good idea. Simple whimsical illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Everyone says the pigeon has to go to school, but he thinks that's not such a good idea. Simple whimsical illustrations.
The Red Sled
written and illustrated by Lita Judge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
When a bear discovers a child's sled, he and his woodland critter friends enjoy a night of sledding fun. Charming seasonal illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lita Judge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
When a bear discovers a child's sled, he and his woodland critter friends enjoy a night of sledding fun. Charming seasonal illustrations.
The Second Sky
by Patrick Guest
Illustrator: Jonathan Bently
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A newly-hatched penguin, desperate to fly, discovers what he does best. Textured watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the penguin's wishes.
by Patrick Guest
Illustrator: Jonathan Bently
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A newly-hatched penguin, desperate to fly, discovers what he does best. Textured watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the penguin's wishes.
The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon
by Matthew Burgess
Illustrator: Fiona Woodcock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This clever, humorous account of the changing moods of two friends is portrayed with stencil on colored pencil illustrations.
by Matthew Burgess
Illustrator: Fiona Woodcock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This clever, humorous account of the changing moods of two friends is portrayed with stencil on colored pencil illustrations.
The Word Pirates
by Susan Cooper
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G Word eating pirates make storytellers shudder, until the Word Wizard proves the pen is mightier than the sword. Humorous illustrations in colored ink, pencil, watercolor, and acrylic.
by Susan Cooper
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G Word eating pirates make storytellers shudder, until the Word Wizard proves the pen is mightier than the sword. Humorous illustrations in colored ink, pencil, watercolor, and acrylic.
This Beach Is Loud!
written and illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Eager to go to the beach, a boy becomes overwhelmed by the noise, activities, and sand. Father saves the day. Colorful block print, ink, and charcoal art.
written and illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Eager to go to the beach, a boy becomes overwhelmed by the noise, activities, and sand. Father saves the day. Colorful block print, ink, and charcoal art.
This is the Construction Worker
by Laura Godwin
Illustrator: Julian Hector
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Challenging gender stereotypes, this portrayal of the workers and work at a busy building site features a female crew member. Rhyming text ad vivid illustrations.
by Laura Godwin
Illustrator: Julian Hector
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Challenging gender stereotypes, this portrayal of the workers and work at a busy building site features a female crew member. Rhyming text ad vivid illustrations.
Trains Run!
by George Ella Lyon
Illustrator: Mick Wiggins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A rhythmic text captures the dynamism and variety of modern railroads. Colorful digital illustrations.
by George Ella Lyon
Illustrator: Mick Wiggins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A rhythmic text captures the dynamism and variety of modern railroads. Colorful digital illustrations.
Treasure
by Mireille Messier
Illustrator: Irene Luxbacher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two children go looking for a treasure -- something shiny and mysterious. They are overwhelmed by their find. Graphite, watercolor, and acrylic illustrations.
by Mireille Messier
Illustrator: Irene Luxbacher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two children go looking for a treasure -- something shiny and mysterious. They are overwhelmed by their find. Graphite, watercolor, and acrylic illustrations.
Tropical Terry
written and illustrated by Jarvis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Terry longs to be flashy and to play with the other tropical fish but his costume has unexpected consequences and lessons learned. Bright appealing illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jarvis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Terry longs to be flashy and to play with the other tropical fish but his costume has unexpected consequences and lessons learned. Bright appealing illustrations.
Two for Me, One for You
written and illustrated by Jörg Mühle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This is the dilemma: there are three mushrooms and two hungry friends. Who gets the extra one? Humorous color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jörg Mühle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This is the dilemma: there are three mushrooms and two hungry friends. Who gets the extra one? Humorous color illustrations.
Up Up Up Down
written and illustrated by Kimberly Gee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Delightful digital pencil illustrations follow a baby and father through a day filled with opposites.
written and illustrated by Kimberly Gee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Delightful digital pencil illustrations follow a baby and father through a day filled with opposites.