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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Gus & Sully Watch the Weather (Gus & Sully series)
Steve Light
Illustrator: Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A mouse and rhino experience different weather conditions, each in very different ways. Humorous pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Steve Light
Illustrator: Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A mouse and rhino experience different weather conditions, each in very different ways. Humorous pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Harriet's Reflections
Marion Kadi
Illustrator: Marion Kadi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
When an old lion dies, his reflection lingers and joins up with a young girl, who starts acting like a lion herself. Vivid, energetic acrylic paintings.
Marion Kadi
Illustrator: Marion Kadi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
When an old lion dies, his reflection lingers and joins up with a young girl, who starts acting like a lion herself. Vivid, energetic acrylic paintings.
Heatwave
Lauren Redniss
Illustrator: Lauren Redniss
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A boy spends a sweltering day at the beach. Expressionistic mixed-media art emphasizes the scorching heat in bold red; cool cyan begins taking over after a welcome downpour.
Lauren Redniss
Illustrator: Lauren Redniss
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A boy spends a sweltering day at the beach. Expressionistic mixed-media art emphasizes the scorching heat in bold red; cool cyan begins taking over after a welcome downpour.
Hello Hello Shapes
Brendan Wenzel
Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Meet a range of lively creatures in a wild mix of shapes. Vibrant mixed-media art. Back matter.
Brendan Wenzel
Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Meet a range of lively creatures in a wild mix of shapes. Vibrant mixed-media art. Back matter.
Home That Means the World, A
Victoria Turnbull
Illustrator: Victoria Turnbull
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
When their tree is cut down, an ant family journeys far in search of a new place to live. Fanciful graphite and colored pencil art with pale, delicate textures.
Victoria Turnbull
Illustrator: Victoria Turnbull
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
When their tree is cut down, an ant family journeys far in search of a new place to live. Fanciful graphite and colored pencil art with pale, delicate textures.
Horse Called Now, A
Ruth Doyle
Illustrator: Alexandra Finkeldey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A contemplative horse reassures a series of animals anxious about the future, encouraging them to focus on the here and now. Soothing natural imagery.
Ruth Doyle
Illustrator: Alexandra Finkeldey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A contemplative horse reassures a series of animals anxious about the future, encouraging them to focus on the here and now. Soothing natural imagery.
I Do Not Like Water
Eva Lindström
Illustrator: Eva Lindström
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A boy finds an ingenious way to participate in aquatic activities with his friends without getting wet. Whimsical gouache and watercolor illustrations capture mood and landscapes. Humorous endpapers show swimming tadpoles.
Eva Lindström
Illustrator: Eva Lindström
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A boy finds an ingenious way to participate in aquatic activities with his friends without getting wet. Whimsical gouache and watercolor illustrations capture mood and landscapes. Humorous endpapers show swimming tadpoles.
If You Run Out of Words
Felicita Sala
Illustrator: Felicita Sala
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Rich, vivid mixed-media art alternates between a daughter's worried “what if?” questions and her father's soothing reassurances, which he presents in the form of a swashbuckling fantasy adventure.
Felicita Sala
Illustrator: Felicita Sala
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Rich, vivid mixed-media art alternates between a daughter's worried “what if?” questions and her father's soothing reassurances, which he presents in the form of a swashbuckling fantasy adventure.
I Like Your Chutzpah: And Other Yiddish Words You'll Like
Suzy Ultman
Illustrator: Suzy Ultman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Learn how to tell a child all the delightful things about them—their punim (face), seykehl (cleverness), and more—in Yiddish. Humorous, bold, colorful illustrations.
Suzy Ultman
Illustrator: Suzy Ultman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Learn how to tell a child all the delightful things about them—their punim (face), seykehl (cleverness), and more—in Yiddish. Humorous, bold, colorful illustrations.
I Lived Inside a Whale
Xin Li
Illustrator: Xin Li
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Inside an imaginary whale, a girl seeks refuge from the noisy world, and a new friend helps her unlock her talents as a storyteller. Bright mixed-media art.
Xin Li
Illustrator: Xin Li
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Inside an imaginary whale, a girl seeks refuge from the noisy world, and a new friend helps her unlock her talents as a storyteller. Bright mixed-media art.
I'm Sorry You Got Mad
Kyle Lukoff
Illustrator: Julie Kwon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
With the support of his patient teacher, Jack writes a series of notes as he struggles to apologize to his classmate. Expressive illustrations filled with humor and heart.
Kyle Lukoff
Illustrator: Julie Kwon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
With the support of his patient teacher, Jack writes a series of notes as he struggles to apologize to his classmate. Expressive illustrations filled with humor and heart.
I See You Care
Deborah Farmer Kris
Illustrator: Jane Massey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Sharing, comforting, and helping are among the ways a child shows he cares about others. Sweet mixed-media illustrations.
Deborah Farmer Kris
Illustrator: Jane Massey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Sharing, comforting, and helping are among the ways a child shows he cares about others. Sweet mixed-media illustrations.
Is That the Bus?
Libby Koponen
Illustrator: Katie Mazeika
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Anticipation builds as a little boy waits impatiently for his older sister to come home from school. Illustrations use a soft, bright color palette.
Libby Koponen
Illustrator: Katie Mazeika
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Anticipation builds as a little boy waits impatiently for his older sister to come home from school. Illustrations use a soft, bright color palette.
Jump for Joy
Karen Gray Ruelle
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A girl and a dog, alone and friendless, build companions out of flowers and snow. Finally, they discover each other. Brush, ink, and found art collage llustrations.
Karen Gray Ruelle
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A girl and a dog, alone and friendless, build companions out of flowers and snow. Finally, they discover each other. Brush, ink, and found art collage llustrations.
Just Like Millie
Lauren Castillo
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
It takes a new pet dog to help Millie overcome her shyness and anxiety when she moves with her mother to an urban apartment. Watercolor and soft pastel illustrations.
Lauren Castillo
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
It takes a new pet dog to help Millie overcome her shyness and anxiety when she moves with her mother to an urban apartment. Watercolor and soft pastel illustrations.
Just One More!: A Bedtime Book
Mara Conlon
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A toddler uses numerous tactics for delaying bedtime. Simple mixed-media illustrations.
Mara Conlon
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A toddler uses numerous tactics for delaying bedtime. Simple mixed-media illustrations.
King Lion
Emma Yarlett
Illustrator: Emma Yarlett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A lion alienates his kingdom with his coarse manners until a brave young girl approaches him to make friends. Illustrations contribute gentle humor.
Emma Yarlett
Illustrator: Emma Yarlett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A lion alienates his kingdom with his coarse manners until a brave young girl approaches him to make friends. Illustrations contribute gentle humor.
Knight Owl and Early Bird (Knight Owl series)
Christopher Denise
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A no-nonsense owl who keeps watch over a medieval castle is frustrated by his adorable, energetic new volunteer. Warm, glowing digital art.
Christopher Denise
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A no-nonsense owl who keeps watch over a medieval castle is frustrated by his adorable, energetic new volunteer. Warm, glowing digital art.
Lionel Is Just Like Dad (Lionel series)
Éric Veillé
Illustrator: Éric Veillé
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Lionel sings, combs his hair, and more—just like his father. Brightly colored illustrations.
Éric Veillé
Illustrator: Éric Veillé
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Lionel sings, combs his hair, and more—just like his father. Brightly colored illustrations.
L Is for Love
Atinuke
Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Before dawn, a family packs up their harvest of lemons and starts the long journey to the market in Lagos. Lush, frolicsome mixed-media art.
Atinuke
Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Before dawn, a family packs up their harvest of lemons and starts the long journey to the market in Lagos. Lush, frolicsome mixed-media art.
Little Bunny: A Peek Through Book
Petr Horáček
Illustrator: Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A baby rabbit explores the forest, meeting other animals along the way. Sweet mixed-media illustrations with die cuts.
Petr Horáček
Illustrator: Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A baby rabbit explores the forest, meeting other animals along the way. Sweet mixed-media illustrations with die cuts.
Little Lamb, Where Are You? (Baby Faces series)
Ekaterina Trukhan
Illustrator: Ekaterina Trukhan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
An introduction to farmyard friends. Bright acrylic illustrations with mirrors and flaps.
Ekaterina Trukhan
Illustrator: Ekaterina Trukhan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
An introduction to farmyard friends. Bright acrylic illustrations with mirrors and flaps.
Lonely Bird's Dream
Ruth Whiting
Illustrator: Ruth Whiting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A paper bird embarks on a daring quest to soar through the air like the other birds. Cheerful oil paint and cut-paper collage art.
Ruth Whiting
Illustrator: Ruth Whiting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A paper bird embarks on a daring quest to soar through the air like the other birds. Cheerful oil paint and cut-paper collage art.
Love Is My Favorite Color
Nina Laden
Illustrator: Melissa Castrillón
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Rollicking verse and elegant metaphors invite readers to celebrate concepts like peace, gratitude, and knowledge. Pencil and digital art with swirling lines and eye-popping colors.
Nina Laden
Illustrator: Melissa Castrillón
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Rollicking verse and elegant metaphors invite readers to celebrate concepts like peace, gratitude, and knowledge. Pencil and digital art with swirling lines and eye-popping colors.
Loveykins
Quentin Blake
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
An eccentric lady finds and nurtures a baby bird, feeding him until he flies away, but then comes back to return her kindness. Whimsical pastel-colored illustrations.
Quentin Blake
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
An eccentric lady finds and nurtures a baby bird, feeding him until he flies away, but then comes back to return her kindness. Whimsical pastel-colored illustrations.