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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The Heart of a Whale
written and illustrated by Anna Pignataro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A whale's song is filled with kindness, but takes another whale's reciprocity to bring happiness and fulfillment. Evocative watercolor illustrations
written and illustrated by Anna Pignataro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A whale's song is filled with kindness, but takes another whale's reciprocity to bring happiness and fulfillment. Evocative watercolor illustrations
This Is Gus
Chris Chatterton
Illustrator: Chris Chatterton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Grumpy Gus doesn't like, among other things, walks, being petted, and birthdays, but there are two things he does like. Amusing simple text and bright color illustrations.
Chris Chatterton
Illustrator: Chris Chatterton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Grumpy Gus doesn't like, among other things, walks, being petted, and birthdays, but there are two things he does like. Amusing simple text and bright color illustrations.
Three Billy Goats Gruff, The: The Full Story
Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
This humorous retelling retains the fear and suspense that the bullying troll might be successful. Colorful, large-scale illustrations.
Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
This humorous retelling retains the fear and suspense that the bullying troll might be successful. Colorful, large-scale illustrations.
Turtle Walk
Matt Phelan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In luscious watercolors, a family of turtles is shown slowly walking through the seasons, asking "Are we there yet?" It ends in pure joy.
Matt Phelan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In luscious watercolors, a family of turtles is shown slowly walking through the seasons, asking "Are we there yet?" It ends in pure joy.
Two Little Trains
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and sleek, modern train traveling across America.
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and sleek, modern train traveling across America.
Two Little Trains
Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and a sleek modern train traveling across America.
Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Rubber stamp artwork provides an imaginative and appealing new look at an old, favorite tale of a steam engine and a sleek modern train traveling across America.
Two Many Birds
Cindy Derby
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When one bird goes too far in trying to control all the other birds, a revolt results in positive change. Humorous watercolor illustrations accompany this allegory.
Cindy Derby
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
When one bird goes too far in trying to control all the other birds, a revolt results in positive change. Humorous watercolor illustrations accompany this allegory.
Under the Great Plum Tree
Sufiya Ahmed
Illustrator: Reza Dalvand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
With friendship, quick-thinking, and bravery, a good-hearted monkey is almost betrayed by her friend, the crocodile. Both are horrified. Colorful "Indo-Persian" illustrations.
Sufiya Ahmed
Illustrator: Reza Dalvand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
With friendship, quick-thinking, and bravery, a good-hearted monkey is almost betrayed by her friend, the crocodile. Both are horrified. Colorful "Indo-Persian" illustrations.
Up On Bob
Mary Sullivan
Illustrator: Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A dog clears the bed of dolls and toys to settle down for a nap, but an intruder spoils his plans. Expressive digital art.
Mary Sullivan
Illustrator: Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A dog clears the bed of dolls and toys to settle down for a nap, but an intruder spoils his plans. Expressive digital art.
Up to My Knees! (Storytelling Math series)
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A child plants a sunflower seed and measures how tall it grows by comparing its height to her body. Clear, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A child plants a sunflower seed and measures how tall it grows by comparing its height to her body. Clear, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Vinny Gets a Job
Terry Brodner
Illustrator: Terry Brodner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Seeking to imitate his owner, a pet dog gets a job, but continually misunderstands directions. Humorous, mid-20th century-styled illustrations.
Terry Brodner
Illustrator: Terry Brodner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Seeking to imitate his owner, a pet dog gets a job, but continually misunderstands directions. Humorous, mid-20th century-styled illustrations.
Welcome to Your World
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A mother introduces mountains, valleys, oceans, and skies to her baby. Lyrical rhymes and brightly colored illustrations illuminate the natural world.
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A mother introduces mountains, valleys, oceans, and skies to her baby. Lyrical rhymes and brightly colored illustrations illuminate the natural world.
What Matters Most
Emma Dodd
Illustrator: Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In simple rhymed text, a horse reassures her foal that their love will endure. Emotionally evocative muted color illustrations with embossed foil.
Emma Dodd
Illustrator: Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
In simple rhymed text, a horse reassures her foal that their love will endure. Emotionally evocative muted color illustrations with embossed foil.
What Will Fit? (Storytelling Math series)
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
At the farmer's market a black child tries to put a "just right" object in her basket. Bold colored art, an age-appropriate exploration of spatial skills.
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
At the farmer's market a black child tries to put a "just right" object in her basket. Bold colored art, an age-appropriate exploration of spatial skills.
When the Storm Comes
Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
How do people and animals shelter to protect themselves from storms? Simple rhyming text and colorful digital and pencil drawings provide some answers.
Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
How do people and animals shelter to protect themselves from storms? Simple rhyming text and colorful digital and pencil drawings provide some answers.
Where's Baby?
Anne Hunter
Illustrator: Anne Hunter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Charming pen-and-pencil drawings in black and white against a pale blue sky and river reveal a rust-colored baby fox that Papa can never quite see.
Anne Hunter
Illustrator: Anne Hunter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Charming pen-and-pencil drawings in black and white against a pale blue sky and river reveal a rust-colored baby fox that Papa can never quite see.
Who Will You Be?
Andrea Pippins
Illustrator: Andrea Pippins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A mother asks her child whether she will be loving, bold, joyful, curious, or adventurous like her relatives. How will she become uniquely wonderful? Digitally colored illustrations.
Andrea Pippins
Illustrator: Andrea Pippins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A mother asks her child whether she will be loving, bold, joyful, curious, or adventurous like her relatives. How will she become uniquely wonderful? Digitally colored illustrations.
Witchy Things
Mariasole Brusa
Illustrator: Marta Sevilla
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Worried that her blue hair doesn't make her scary enough, a witch decides to snatch a boy. This leads to unexpected and delightful consequences. Humorous illustrations. Available in Spanish.
Mariasole Brusa
Illustrator: Marta Sevilla
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Worried that her blue hair doesn't make her scary enough, a witch decides to snatch a boy. This leads to unexpected and delightful consequences. Humorous illustrations. Available in Spanish.
Woodland Dreams
Karen Jameson
Illustrator: Marc Boutavant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl, on her way home, stops to sketch woodland creatures and uses lyrical rhyming verse to beckon them to bed. Warm, earth-toned illustrations.
Karen Jameson
Illustrator: Marc Boutavant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
A girl, on her way home, stops to sketch woodland creatures and uses lyrical rhyming verse to beckon them to bed. Warm, earth-toned illustrations.
You Are Ready! The World is Waiting
Eric Carle
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Brightly colored animals offer their offspring advice and reassure them they will be able to face life's challenges on their own. Minimal text.
Eric Carle
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2020
Brightly colored animals offer their offspring advice and reassure them they will be able to face life's challenges on their own. Minimal text.
12 Lucky Animals
by Vickie Lee
Illustrator: Joey Chou
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Friendly digital illustrations introduce readers to the animals of the Chinese zodiac and their traits. Chinese characters and pronunciation included.
by Vickie Lee
Illustrator: Joey Chou
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Friendly digital illustrations introduce readers to the animals of the Chinese zodiac and their traits. Chinese characters and pronunciation included.
A Day for Skating
by Sarah Sullivan
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Winter's here and a family bundles up and heads out to the local pond to skate and maybe make some new friends. Seasonal digital illustrations.
by Sarah Sullivan
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Winter's here and a family bundles up and heads out to the local pond to skate and maybe make some new friends. Seasonal digital illustrations.
An Owl at Sea
by susan Vande Griek
Illustrator: Ian Wallace
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lost at sea, an owl takes refuge on an oil rig. Poetic text and gentle watercolor illustrations.
by susan Vande Griek
Illustrator: Ian Wallace
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Lost at sea, an owl takes refuge on an oil rig. Poetic text and gentle watercolor illustrations.
Ariba
written and illustrated by Masha Manapov
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Marcus' delight in his new sneakers leads his grandfather to recount an old story about a boy and his adventure with his footwear. Lively, energetic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Masha Manapov
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Marcus' delight in his new sneakers leads his grandfather to recount an old story about a boy and his adventure with his footwear. Lively, energetic illustrations.
Astro Girl
written and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Astrid, who wants to be an astronaut when she grows up, has fun pretending to be an astronaut on a space mission. Textured painterly acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Astrid, who wants to be an astronaut when she grows up, has fun pretending to be an astronaut on a space mission. Textured painterly acrylic illustrations.