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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Vroom!
written and illustrated by Barbara McClintock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Annie's off on a zooming adventure in her speedy sports car, bringing her full circle back home. Large, colorful spreads make the words take off.
written and illustrated by Barbara McClintock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Annie's off on a zooming adventure in her speedy sports car, bringing her full circle back home. Large, colorful spreads make the words take off.
What's Next?
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Jane McGuinness
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This good night book explores the night of Baby Badger's world - and then the day. Large mixed media illustrations.
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Jane McGuinness
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This good night book explores the night of Baby Badger's world - and then the day. Large mixed media illustrations.
Where Did You Go Today?
written and illustrated by Jenny Duke
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young child recalls her time at the local park through imaginative stories. Paint, print, and collage illustrations, played with digitally.
written and illustrated by Jenny Duke
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young child recalls her time at the local park through imaginative stories. Paint, print, and collage illustrations, played with digitally.
Where is My Balloon
by Ariel Bernstein
Illustrator: Scott Magoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Bold digital illustrations enhance the humor and the emotions clearly depicted when two friends share favorite objects.
by Ariel Bernstein
Illustrator: Scott Magoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Bold digital illustrations enhance the humor and the emotions clearly depicted when two friends share favorite objects.
Whose Footprint Is That?
by Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Kelsey Oseid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Seven tracks are paired with their animal's identity, locomotion, and habitation in this guessing game by a renowned mammalogist. Colorful gouache illustrations reinforce page-turner format.
by Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Kelsey Oseid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Seven tracks are paired with their animal's identity, locomotion, and habitation in this guessing game by a renowned mammalogist. Colorful gouache illustrations reinforce page-turner format.
Wild Baby
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Orangutan baby takes off on a jungle romp, and Mama must give chase, until her patience gives out. Will Mama forgive? Amusing illustrations use digital ink.
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Orangutan baby takes off on a jungle romp, and Mama must give chase, until her patience gives out. Will Mama forgive? Amusing illustrations use digital ink.
1 Grumpy Bruce
written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Will any of the frolicking animals bring Bruce the bear out of his grump? Colorful mixed media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Will any of the frolicking animals bring Bruce the bear out of his grump? Colorful mixed media illustrations.
A Busy Creature's Day Eating
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A purple creature stuffs itself with an alphabetical array of unconventional items until his upset stomach requires a father's attention. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A purple creature stuffs itself with an alphabetical array of unconventional items until his upset stomach requires a father's attention. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse
by Marcy Campbell
Illustrator: Corinna Luyken
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When her classmate Adrian speaks of his horse, Chloe does not believe him, until the path to understanding becomes clear. Colored pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
by Marcy Campbell
Illustrator: Corinna Luyken
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When her classmate Adrian speaks of his horse, Chloe does not believe him, until the path to understanding becomes clear. Colored pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
A Hippy-Hoppy Toad
by Peggy Archer
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A lively, rhythmic verse describes a teeny tiny toad's amusing adventures. Energetic, colorful watercolors.
by Peggy Archer
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A lively, rhythmic verse describes a teeny tiny toad's amusing adventures. Energetic, colorful watercolors.
All Are Welcome
by Alexandra Penfold
Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A group of children experience a typical day at a school where diversity is celebrated. Simple mixed media illustrations.
by Alexandra Penfold
Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A group of children experience a typical day at a school where diversity is celebrated. Simple mixed media illustrations.
Alma and How She Got Her Name
written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A little girl's father tells her the story of how she ended up with so many names. Engaging acrylic, graphite, and colored pencil illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A little girl's father tells her the story of how she ended up with so many names. Engaging acrylic, graphite, and colored pencil illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
A Lullaby of Summer Things
by Natalie Ziarnik
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Lyrical rhymed couplets celebrate the activities of a day at the beach and a night at home. Lively full-page illustrations.
by Natalie Ziarnik
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Lyrical rhymed couplets celebrate the activities of a day at the beach and a night at home. Lively full-page illustrations.
Am I Yours?
written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After an egg has been blown from its nest, a group of friendly dinosaurs help it find its way home. Bold digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After an egg has been blown from its nest, a group of friendly dinosaurs help it find its way home. Bold digital illustrations.
A Parade of Elephants
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Five elephants march up, down, over, under, in, and out, until they trumpet, scattering stars across the sky, and go to sleep. Gentle gouache and line illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Five elephants march up, down, over, under, in, and out, until they trumpet, scattering stars across the sky, and go to sleep. Gentle gouache and line illustrations.
Baby's Firsts
by Nancy Raines Day
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Joyful rhymes follow three babies from multiracial families through the milestones of their first year. Lively pencil and digital color illustrations.
by Nancy Raines Day
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Joyful rhymes follow three babies from multiracial families through the milestones of their first year. Lively pencil and digital color illustrations.
Bear and Wolf
written and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and Wolf take a winter walk together, observing their world, and then separating when the season changes. Scratchboard, subtle, quiet illustrations.
written and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and Wolf take a winter walk together, observing their world, and then separating when the season changes. Scratchboard, subtle, quiet illustrations.
Bear's Scare
written and illustrated by Jacob Grant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and his stuffed friend Ursa enjoy a neat house but are upset when an intruding spider messes it up. Charcoal and crayon, digitally colored.
written and illustrated by Jacob Grant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and his stuffed friend Ursa enjoy a neat house but are upset when an intruding spider messes it up. Charcoal and crayon, digitally colored.
Big Box Little Box
by Caryl Hart
Illustrator: Edward Underwood
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A curious cat explores boxes of different shapes, colors, and sizes, and finally finds a mouse. Pencil, ink, and collage illustrations.
by Caryl Hart
Illustrator: Edward Underwood
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A curious cat explores boxes of different shapes, colors, and sizes, and finally finds a mouse. Pencil, ink, and collage illustrations.
Big Bug
written and illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful illustrations demonstrate big and little.
written and illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful illustrations demonstrate big and little.
Big Bunny
written and illustrated by Rowboat Watkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dad is telling a bedtime story, but it isn't scary enough for his youngster, who takes over the tale. Silliness abounds, with colorful, exaggerated illustrations enhancing the humor.
written and illustrated by Rowboat Watkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dad is telling a bedtime story, but it isn't scary enough for his youngster, who takes over the tale. Silliness abounds, with colorful, exaggerated illustrations enhancing the humor.
Bigger! Bigger!
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A box of blocks leads a small girl to build beyond her imagination, until a baby interferes. Bold outlined, brightly colored, acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A box of blocks leads a small girl to build beyond her imagination, until a baby interferes. Bold outlined, brightly colored, acrylic illustrations.
Big Kid Bed
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
It's time for bed but not in the usual baby crib. Humorous and colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
It's time for bed but not in the usual baby crib. Humorous and colorful illustrations.
Big Little/Grande pequeño
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books. [list with quiet/loud]
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books. [list with quiet/loud]