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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Birds from Head to Tail
by Stacey Roderick
Illustrator: Kwanchai Moriya
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In guessing game format, eight birds, each with a special feature, are introduced and accompanied by colorful digitally enhanced illustrations.
by Stacey Roderick
Illustrator: Kwanchai Moriya
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In guessing game format, eight birds, each with a special feature, are introduced and accompanied by colorful digitally enhanced illustrations.
Black Bird, Yellow Sun
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this attractively illustrated board book we greet different parts of nature as the day progresses, with each presentation featuring a color.
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this attractively illustrated board book we greet different parts of nature as the day progresses, with each presentation featuring a color.
Building Books
by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Illustrator: Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can two siblings, a sister who prefers building and a brother who prefers reading, embrace each other's interest? Animated illustrations highlight gender-stereotype role reversal.
by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Illustrator: Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can two siblings, a sister who prefers building and a brother who prefers reading, embrace each other's interest? Animated illustrations highlight gender-stereotype role reversal.
Bus! Stop!
written and illustrated by James Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A young rider's misfortune turns imaginative and delightful. Fanciful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by James Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A young rider's misfortune turns imaginative and delightful. Fanciful digital illustrations.
Dad By My Side
written and illustrated by Soosh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A child recounts the special relationship with her father, deriving strength from his love and support. Whimsical watercolors illustrate shared activities.
written and illustrated by Soosh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A child recounts the special relationship with her father, deriving strength from his love and support. Whimsical watercolors illustrate shared activities.
Dance, Dance, Dance! (Horse & Buggy series)
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Horse and Buggy are good friends, only Horse loves to dance and Buggy does not - until he hears the music. Humorous digital cartoon illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Horse and Buggy are good friends, only Horse loves to dance and Buggy does not - until he hears the music. Humorous digital cartoon illustrations.
Daniela the Pirate
by Susanna Isern
Illustrator: Gómez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can a girl be a pirate even if she can prove how brave, strong, and quick she is? Daniela thinks so. Cheerful, humorous illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
by Susanna Isern
Illustrator: Gómez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can a girl be a pirate even if she can prove how brave, strong, and quick she is? Daniela thinks so. Cheerful, humorous illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Dog On A Digger
written and illustrated by Kate Prendergast
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In a wordless book, a dog on a construction site rescues a puppy. Cross-hatched gray pencil and yellow accented illustrations with superb renderings of heavy machinery.
written and illustrated by Kate Prendergast
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In a wordless book, a dog on a construction site rescues a puppy. Cross-hatched gray pencil and yellow accented illustrations with superb renderings of heavy machinery.
Door
written and illustrated by JiHyeon Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful, detailed illustrations accompany a wordless adventure to the other side of the door of one boy's imagination.
written and illustrated by JiHyeon Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful, detailed illustrations accompany a wordless adventure to the other side of the door of one boy's imagination.
Ducks Away!
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Judy Horacek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this intergenerational counting book the surprise ending shows how grown-ups can learn from their progeny. Bright minimalist illustrations enhance the story.
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Judy Horacek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this intergenerational counting book the surprise ending shows how grown-ups can learn from their progeny. Bright minimalist illustrations enhance the story.
Errol's Garden
written and illustrated by Gillian Hibbs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Errol loves to grow things, but has no garden in his city apartment. Then he discovers the roof of his building. Illustrations portray diverse children.
written and illustrated by Gillian Hibbs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Errol loves to grow things, but has no garden in his city apartment. Then he discovers the roof of his building. Illustrations portray diverse children.
Every Color Soup
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Learn colors by identifying the ingredients for a wonderful vegetable soup. Large, clear Photoshop illustrations. Recipe included.
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Learn colors by identifying the ingredients for a wonderful vegetable soup. Large, clear Photoshop illustrations. Recipe included.
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Kumbh Mela
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A farmer in India ventures to a large festival where he never seems to get what he wants. Deeply-colored digital illustrations. Back matter
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A farmer in India ventures to a large festival where he never seems to get what he wants. Deeply-colored digital illustrations. Back matter
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Market
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Falgu attempts to reach the market with his produce and eggs intact, but the trip goes terribly wrong. He salvages the day with a brilliant solution. Vibrant, simple illustrations.
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Falgu attempts to reach the market with his produce and eggs intact, but the trip goes terribly wrong. He salvages the day with a brilliant solution. Vibrant, simple illustrations.
Festival of Colors
by Kabir Sehgal
Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Chintoo and Mintoo prepare for the Indian Festival of Holi, a celebration of color and community. Vibrant illustrations.
by Kabir Sehgal
Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Chintoo and Mintoo prepare for the Indian Festival of Holi, a celebration of color and community. Vibrant illustrations.
First Star
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
With simple language and luminous drawings, Bear helps Mole get over his fear of the dark by telling a story about how Bears created the North Star.
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
With simple language and luminous drawings, Bear helps Mole get over his fear of the dark by telling a story about how Bears created the North Star.
Flo
by Kyo Maclear
Illustrator: Jay Fleck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A member of an over-programmed panda family spends her days enjoying life. Later, she rescues everyone from disaster. Charming pastel-toned illustrations.
by Kyo Maclear
Illustrator: Jay Fleck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A member of an over-programmed panda family spends her days enjoying life. Later, she rescues everyone from disaster. Charming pastel-toned illustrations.
Floaty
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A grumpy old man receives a mysterious basket at his door that changes his life for the better. Colorful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A grumpy old man receives a mysterious basket at his door that changes his life for the better. Colorful digital illustrations.
Forest Baby
by Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Shantala Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A mother describes everything she and her baby see as they take a walk through the woods. Gentle mixed-media illustrations.
by Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Shantala Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A mother describes everything she and her baby see as they take a walk through the woods. Gentle mixed-media illustrations.
Found
by Jeff Newman
Illustrator: Larry Day
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this nearly wordless story, a lonely child rescues a dog in a downpour but reluctantly returns it upon seeing a lost dog poster. Expressive illustrations with minimal color palette.
by Jeff Newman
Illustrator: Larry Day
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this nearly wordless story, a lonely child rescues a dog in a downpour but reluctantly returns it upon seeing a lost dog poster. Expressive illustrations with minimal color palette.
Gator, Gator, Gator!
by Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Going out to the bayou with her binoculars, a young girl searches for an alligator. Told through rhyme, rhythm, and repetition with mixed media Photoshop illustrations.
by Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Going out to the bayou with her binoculars, a young girl searches for an alligator. Told through rhyme, rhythm, and repetition with mixed media Photoshop illustrations.
Goat's Coat
by Tom Percival
Illustrator: Christine Pym
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Alfonso gives away his special coat, thread by thread, to needy friends, who will keep him from freezing? Rhymed text and expressive, bright illustrations.
by Tom Percival
Illustrator: Christine Pym
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Alfonso gives away his special coat, thread by thread, to needy friends, who will keep him from freezing? Rhymed text and expressive, bright illustrations.
Goodnight Sandman
written and illustrated by Daniela Drescher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Jacob the Sandman and Milo the mouse sprinkle magic dreams - and then they meet the scary Night Monster! Dreamy illustrations.
written and illustrated by Daniela Drescher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Jacob the Sandman and Milo the mouse sprinkle magic dreams - and then they meet the scary Night Monster! Dreamy illustrations.
Grains of Sand
written and illustrated by Sibylle Delacroix
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After a seaside vacation, two siblings imagine the many possibilities of what their planted grains of sand will reap. Evocative pen and pencil illustrations with bursts of color.
written and illustrated by Sibylle Delacroix
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After a seaside vacation, two siblings imagine the many possibilities of what their planted grains of sand will reap. Evocative pen and pencil illustrations with bursts of color.
Grandma's Purse
written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandma Mimi's visits are always special, filled with treasures and stories that connect a little girl to her grandmother. Energetic mixed media illustrations and a surprise ending.
written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandma Mimi's visits are always special, filled with treasures and stories that connect a little girl to her grandmother. Energetic mixed media illustrations and a surprise ending.