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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Grow Up, David!
written and illustrated by David Shannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
David and his older brother fight about everything, until the older boy allows him to try football. Exuberant, childlike mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Shannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
David and his older brother fight about everything, until the older boy allows him to try football. Exuberant, childlike mixed-media illustrations.
Grumpy Monkey
by Suzanne Lang
Illustrator: Max Lang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After monkey's friends try many ways to cheer him up, he learns it's okay to feel grumpy sometimes. Humorous, expressive color illustrations.
by Suzanne Lang
Illustrator: Max Lang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After monkey's friends try many ways to cheer him up, he learns it's okay to feel grumpy sometimes. Humorous, expressive color illustrations.
Hazel and Twig: The Birthday Fortune
written and illustrated by Brenna Burns Yu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Older sister Hazel is looking forward to younger sister Twig's first birthday and the Korean customs their family celebrates. Full page watercolors with ink.
written and illustrated by Brenna Burns Yu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Older sister Hazel is looking forward to younger sister Twig's first birthday and the Korean customs their family celebrates. Full page watercolors with ink.
Hello Birds, What Do You Say?
written and illustrated by Loes Botman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Exquisitely colored detailed renderings of twelve different birds accompanied by text of each one's sound.
written and illustrated by Loes Botman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Exquisitely colored detailed renderings of twelve different birds accompanied by text of each one's sound.
Hello Hello
written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Animals ranging from house cats to bare-necked umbrellabirds greet each other. Bold, dynamic mixed-media illustrations balance verisimilitude and caricature. Backmatter includes information on endangered species.
written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Animals ranging from house cats to bare-necked umbrellabirds greet each other. Bold, dynamic mixed-media illustrations balance verisimilitude and caricature. Backmatter includes information on endangered species.
He's Your Daddy
by Charline Profiri
Illustrator: Andrea Gabriel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
From joeys and fawns to kangaroos and stags, delightful rhymes introduce the different names for child and dad. Large mixed media illustrations. Back matter.
by Charline Profiri
Illustrator: Andrea Gabriel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
From joeys and fawns to kangaroos and stags, delightful rhymes introduce the different names for child and dad. Large mixed media illustrations. Back matter.
Hey, Hey, Hay!
by Christy Mihaly
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Through lively oil-over-acrylic under-painted illustrations and clever rhyming verse, a young child and her family make hay on their farm. Glossary and punch recipe.
by Christy Mihaly
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Through lively oil-over-acrylic under-painted illustrations and clever rhyming verse, a young child and her family make hay on their farm. Glossary and punch recipe.
Hip-Hop Lollipop
by Susan McElroy Montanari
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A girl makes her way to bed dancing to a hip-hop beat. Swirling watercolor and India ink illustrations.
by Susan McElroy Montanari
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A girl makes her way to bed dancing to a hip-hop beat. Swirling watercolor and India ink illustrations.
Hooked
by Tommy Greenwald
Illustrator: David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A touching story of how a young boy who loves fishing “hooks” his father into joining him. Gentle watercolor illustrations.
by Tommy Greenwald
Illustrator: David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A touching story of how a young boy who loves fishing “hooks” his father into joining him. Gentle watercolor illustrations.
How to Knit a Monster
written and illustrated by Annemarie van Haeringen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vivid watercolor and colored pencil illustrations capture Greta's monsterous dilemma and clever solutions as she knits and knits.
written and illustrated by Annemarie van Haeringen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vivid watercolor and colored pencil illustrations capture Greta's monsterous dilemma and clever solutions as she knits and knits.
Hungry Bunny
written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can you help a bunny who has trouble reaching apples from a tree and transporting them home for his mother's apple pie? Interactive. Expressive charcoal and digital illustrations
written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can you help a bunny who has trouble reaching apples from a tree and transporting them home for his mother's apple pie? Interactive. Expressive charcoal and digital illustrations
I Am Enough
by Grace Byers
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Using metaphors from nature and human feelings, this eloquent book expresses the beauty of loving who you are. Bright watercolor illustrations showing a diverse population highlight an inspiring message.
by Grace Byers
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Using metaphors from nature and human feelings, this eloquent book expresses the beauty of loving who you are. Bright watercolor illustrations showing a diverse population highlight an inspiring message.
If I Had a Horse
written and illustrated by Gianna Marino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A girl imagines how her relationship would evolve with a horse. Spare text with gouache illustrations in silhouette.
written and illustrated by Gianna Marino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A girl imagines how her relationship would evolve with a horse. Spare text with gouache illustrations in silhouette.
If You Had a Jetpack
by Lisl H. Detlefsen
Illustrator: Linzie Hunter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
To cure their boredom, two determined creatures invent a unique form of transportation inspiring a trip around the world and into space. Lively digital images.
by Lisl H. Detlefsen
Illustrator: Linzie Hunter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
To cure their boredom, two determined creatures invent a unique form of transportation inspiring a trip around the world and into space. Lively digital images.
I Hate My Cats (A Love Story)
by Davide Cali
Illustrator: Anna Pirolli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Simple text accompanies whimsical illustrations to depict day-to-day life with these enigmatic feline companions. Detailed, humorous illustrations.
by Davide Cali
Illustrator: Anna Pirolli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Simple text accompanies whimsical illustrations to depict day-to-day life with these enigmatic feline companions. Detailed, humorous illustrations.
In the Rain
by Elizabeth Spurr
Illustrator: Manelle Oliphant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A young girl and her dog enjoy a rainy day outside their home. Realistic watercolors.
by Elizabeth Spurr
Illustrator: Manelle Oliphant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A young girl and her dog enjoy a rainy day outside their home. Realistic watercolors.
I See, I Touch...
by Giuliano Ferri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
This appetizing introduction to the five senses is enhanced by colorful cutouts.
by Giuliano Ferri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
This appetizing introduction to the five senses is enhanced by colorful cutouts.
I Walk With Vanessa
written and illustrated by Kerascoët
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Gentle ink-and-watercolor illustrations capture a range of emotions when a new girl comes to school. Wordless with back matter for children and adults about bullying.
written and illustrated by Kerascoët
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Gentle ink-and-watercolor illustrations capture a range of emotions when a new girl comes to school. Wordless with back matter for children and adults about bullying.
Jinx and the Doom Fight Crime!
by Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Samantha Cotterill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Superhero siblings use their imaginations to play and create mysteries they can solve to keep the city safe. Hand drawn paper-cut digitally colored illustrations.
by Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Samantha Cotterill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Superhero siblings use their imaginations to play and create mysteries they can solve to keep the city safe. Hand drawn paper-cut digitally colored illustrations.
Julián is a Mermaid
written and illustrated by Jessica Love
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Julian is intrigued with mermaids and dresses up as one, much to the initial chagrin of his Abuela. Dreamy illustrations in watercolor, gouache, and ink.
written and illustrated by Jessica Love
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Julian is intrigued with mermaids and dresses up as one, much to the initial chagrin of his Abuela. Dreamy illustrations in watercolor, gouache, and ink.
King Ben and Sir Rhino
written and illustrated by Eric Sailer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
“King” Ben rules his parents, his home, and his toys, but he needs to learn how to share. Playful ink-and-watercolor drawinngs.
written and illustrated by Eric Sailer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
“King” Ben rules his parents, his home, and his toys, but he needs to learn how to share. Playful ink-and-watercolor drawinngs.
Lena's Shoes are Nervous
by Keith Calabrese
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Lena's all ready for her first day of kindergarten, but her shoes have other ideas. Lively digital illustrations.
by Keith Calabrese
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Lena's all ready for her first day of kindergarten, but her shoes have other ideas. Lively digital illustrations.
Little Brothers & Little Sisters
written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Older siblings can be challenging at times. They can also be wonderful. Expressive color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Older siblings can be challenging at times. They can also be wonderful. Expressive color illustrations.
Little Robot Alone
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Feeling lonely, Little Robot uses his ingenuity and perseverance to improve things. Soft watercolor and pencil illustrations and repetitive rhyme create a cheery mood.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Feeling lonely, Little Robot uses his ingenuity and perseverance to improve things. Soft watercolor and pencil illustrations and repetitive rhyme create a cheery mood.
Little Truck
written and illustrated by Taro Gomi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Little truck is on his way - exploring, going fast, and climbing hills. Luckily, when little truck gets tired big truck is right behind him. Simple, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Taro Gomi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Little truck is on his way - exploring, going fast, and climbing hills. Luckily, when little truck gets tired big truck is right behind him. Simple, colorful illustrations.