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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Ghost Cat
written and illustrated by Kevan Atteberry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G Muted digital art captures a child's love for his former cat. That ghost cat leads him to a lovely surprise.
written and illustrated by Kevan Atteberry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G Muted digital art captures a child's love for his former cat. That ghost cat leads him to a lovely surprise.
Good Boy
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A boy and his dog share a day full of adventures from fetching to traveling by spaceship to reading bedtime stories. Comical ink-and-watercolor illustratiions.
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A boy and his dog share a day full of adventures from fetching to traveling by spaceship to reading bedtime stories. Comical ink-and-watercolor illustratiions.
Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend!
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Saying goodbye to some one or some thing is hard but can lead to saying hello to new people or things. Digital ink drawings enhance a poignant text.
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Saying goodbye to some one or some thing is hard but can lead to saying hello to new people or things. Digital ink drawings enhance a poignant text.
Good Night Wind
by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Illustrator: Maëlle Doliveux
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - In this retelling of a Yiddish tale, a whirling, howling wind is quieted by two wise children. Powerful, vibrant collage-like illustrations.
by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Illustrator: Maëlle Doliveux
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - In this retelling of a Yiddish tale, a whirling, howling wind is quieted by two wise children. Powerful, vibrant collage-like illustrations.
Good Night, World
by Nicola Edwards
Illustrator: Hannah Tolson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In a myriad of ways of anticipating bedtime, a myriad of languages are used to say “good night.” Strikingly bold illustrations capture the lyrical text.
by Nicola Edwards
Illustrator: Hannah Tolson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In a myriad of ways of anticipating bedtime, a myriad of languages are used to say “good night.” Strikingly bold illustrations capture the lyrical text.
Hello, I'm Here!
poetry by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Vivid photographs and rhyming text follow the development of two sandhill cranes as they peck open their eggs, walk, swim, and fly. Back matter.
poetry by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Vivid photographs and rhyming text follow the development of two sandhill cranes as they peck open their eggs, walk, swim, and fly. Back matter.
Hide and Seek
written and illustrated by Polly Noakes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A brown skinned child plays with animal friends while a wolf lurks in the background. Engaging colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Polly Noakes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A brown skinned child plays with animal friends while a wolf lurks in the background. Engaging colored pencil illustrations.
Hooray for Babies!
by Susan Meyers
Illustrator: Sue Cornelison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Babies in the mirror, on the beach, in the water, on mats, playing, moving, dancing, sharing, eating, and sleeping. Large format with mixed media illustrations.
by Susan Meyers
Illustrator: Sue Cornelison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Babies in the mirror, on the beach, in the water, on mats, playing, moving, dancing, sharing, eating, and sleeping. Large format with mixed media illustrations.
How Do You Dance?
written and illustrated by Thyra Heder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dancing is a creative, intergenerational, diverse activity, but does everyone need to join in? Action-inspired pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Thyra Heder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dancing is a creative, intergenerational, diverse activity, but does everyone need to join in? Action-inspired pencil and watercolor illustrations.
How Do You Go to Sleep?
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The sleeping habits of a range of young animals told in a soothing way make a perfect bedtime story for a human child. Playful mixed-media illustrations.
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
The sleeping habits of a range of young animals told in a soothing way make a perfect bedtime story for a human child. Playful mixed-media illustrations.
How to Be a Cat
written and illustrated by Nikki McClure
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dynamic black-and-white paper-cut illustrations and action words depict the many adventures of two kittens.
written and illustrated by Nikki McClure
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Dynamic black-and-white paper-cut illustrations and action words depict the many adventures of two kittens.
How to Two
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Count as, one by one, a diverse group of children come together to play and explore. Colorful, energetic mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Count as, one by one, a diverse group of children come together to play and explore. Colorful, energetic mixed-media illustrations.
Huggy Kissy
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Toddler and parent affection is expressed in many ways in these boldly outlined and vibrant acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Toddler and parent affection is expressed in many ways in these boldly outlined and vibrant acrylic illustrations.
Hum and Swish
written and illustrated by Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - Jamie just wants to quietly work on her art project by the sea, but people keep disturbing her asking what she's making. Acrylic and oil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
F&G - Jamie just wants to quietly work on her art project by the sea, but people keep disturbing her asking what she's making. Acrylic and oil illustrations.
Hungry Jim
by Laurel Snyder
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Jim wakes up feeling beastly and imagines himself as a lion devouring the town around him. Energetic pencil illustrations.
by Laurel Snyder
Illustrator: Chuck Groenink
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Jim wakes up feeling beastly and imagines himself as a lion devouring the town around him. Energetic pencil illustrations.
Hush, Little Bunny
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A papa bunny introduces his little one to the beauty and dangers in the natural world, promising to keep him safe. Soft, earth-toned mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A papa bunny introduces his little one to the beauty and dangers in the natural world, promising to keep him safe. Soft, earth-toned mixed-media illustrations.
I Am a Tiger
by Karl Newson
Illustrator: Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Despite his friends' disbelief, Mouse insists he's a tiger - until he looks at himself in the pond. Bright, color illustrations highlight the laugh-out-loud silliness.
by Karl Newson
Illustrator: Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Despite his friends' disbelief, Mouse insists he's a tiger - until he looks at himself in the pond. Bright, color illustrations highlight the laugh-out-loud silliness.
I Am Not a Fish
written and illustrated by Peter Raymundo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
With help from starfish in an Underwater Support Group, Edgar, a jellyfish, begins to enjoy being a jellyfish. Comic digital illustrations with speech bubbles.
written and illustrated by Peter Raymundo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
With help from starfish in an Underwater Support Group, Edgar, a jellyfish, begins to enjoy being a jellyfish. Comic digital illustrations with speech bubbles.
I Can Only Draw Worms
written and illustrated by Will Mabbitt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ten worms in bright neon colors are enhanced by humorous text.
written and illustrated by Will Mabbitt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ten worms in bright neon colors are enhanced by humorous text.
I Love All of Me (Wonderful Me series)
by Lorie Ann Grover
Illustrator: Carolina Búzio
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Young children celebrate who they are as they encounter their worlds. Simple, bright illustrations.
by Lorie Ann Grover
Illustrator: Carolina Búzio
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Young children celebrate who they are as they encounter their worlds. Simple, bright illustrations.
In Every House, On Every Street
by Jess Hitchman
Illustrator: Lili La Baleine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A mixed-race family goes about their day with laughter and love in this sweet celebration of home. Warm digital illustrations.
by Jess Hitchman
Illustrator: Lili La Baleine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A mixed-race family goes about their day with laughter and love in this sweet celebration of home. Warm digital illustrations.
I See the Moon
illustrated by Rosalind Bradshaw
Illustrator: Rosalind Bradshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Colorful, cheerful mixed-media illustrations depicting children of multiple ethnicities are the perfect accompaniment to this collection of bedtime poems.
illustrated by Rosalind Bradshaw
Illustrator: Rosalind Bradshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Colorful, cheerful mixed-media illustrations depicting children of multiple ethnicities are the perfect accompaniment to this collection of bedtime poems.
I Want a Dog
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young girl enters an animal shelter determined to adopt a dog, but leaves with a surprising new pet. Retro cartoon-style watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A young girl enters an animal shelter determined to adopt a dog, but leaves with a surprising new pet. Retro cartoon-style watercolor illustrations.
Jump!
written and illustrated by Tatsuhide Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A frog jumps, and eight more creatures follow. Can all of them jump? Beautifully composed vertical spreads show subjects at rest and (when able) aloft.
written and illustrated by Tatsuhide Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A frog jumps, and eight more creatures follow. Can all of them jump? Beautifully composed vertical spreads show subjects at rest and (when able) aloft.
Just Because
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
At bedtime, a young child playfully asks questions to delay going to sleep. Black-and-white mixed-media illustrations with a splash of color.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
At bedtime, a young child playfully asks questions to delay going to sleep. Black-and-white mixed-media illustrations with a splash of color.