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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Look at Me!/Mírame! (New Baby series)
written and illustrated by Rachel Fuller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
list under New Baby series
written and illustrated by Rachel Fuller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
list under New Baby series
Lots More Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing
by Judi Barrett
Illustrator: Ron Barrett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Realistic cross-hatched pen-and-ink drawn animals boldly positioned on white background model their human attire. Explanations for their misfits in large black text.
by Judi Barrett
Illustrator: Ron Barrett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Realistic cross-hatched pen-and-ink drawn animals boldly positioned on white background model their human attire. Explanations for their misfits in large black text.
Mermaid School
by Joanne Stewart Wetzel
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Molly's first day of school promises to be exciting, especially since it is Mermaid School! The day is described in rhyme and whimsical watercolors.
by Joanne Stewart Wetzel
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Molly's first day of school promises to be exciting, especially since it is Mermaid School! The day is described in rhyme and whimsical watercolors.
Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins
by Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Mark Chambers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Santa gets sick on Christmas Eve, he's about to cancel his yearly trip until Mrs. Claus volunteers to substitute for him. Jolly digital illustrations.
by Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Mark Chambers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Santa gets sick on Christmas Eve, he's about to cancel his yearly trip until Mrs. Claus volunteers to substitute for him. Jolly digital illustrations.
My New Baby/Mi nuevo bebé (New baby series)
written and illustrated by Rachel Fuller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
list with “waiting for baby” “look at me”and “you and me” - same blurb list “look” first.
written and illustrated by Rachel Fuller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
list with “waiting for baby” “look at me”and “you and me” - same blurb list “look” first.
New Shoes
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vibrant, loose-lined watercolors show a preschooler as he walks to a shoe store, chooses new sneakers, and shares his excitement with a friend.
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vibrant, loose-lined watercolors show a preschooler as he walks to a shoe store, chooses new sneakers, and shares his excitement with a friend.
Night Out
by Daniel Miyares
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A lonely boy goes on a magical late-night journey with a tortoise and returns with a story to tell. Gouache and colored-pencil illustrations.
by Daniel Miyares
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A lonely boy goes on a magical late-night journey with a tortoise and returns with a story to tell. Gouache and colored-pencil illustrations.
Nimoshom and His Bus
by Penny M. Thomas
Illustrator: Karen Hibbard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Nimoshom (Cree for “my grandfather”) is a wonderful school bus driver and teaches his young riders words in Cree. Mixed-media illustrations. Glossary.
by Penny M. Thomas
Illustrator: Karen Hibbard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Nimoshom (Cree for “my grandfather”) is a wonderful school bus driver and teaches his young riders words in Cree. Mixed-media illustrations. Glossary.
Nipper and the Lunchbox
written and illustrated by Lucy Dillamore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A canine realizes that his human has left his meal behind and sets out to find him. Engaging childlike mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lucy Dillamore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A canine realizes that his human has left his meal behind and sets out to find him. Engaging childlike mixed-media illustrations.
Now That I'm Here
written and illustrated by Aaron Meshon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A bicultural child recounts the many delightful ways life changed for his parents after he was born. Playful, colorful, humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Aaron Meshon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A bicultural child recounts the many delightful ways life changed for his parents after he was born. Playful, colorful, humorous illustrations.
Oliver Elephant
by Lou Peacock
Illustrator: Helen Stephens
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Noah brings his toy elephant Christmas shopping. Just before going home, Noah's elephant is lost. Can he be found? Jolly mixed-media illustrations.
by Lou Peacock
Illustrator: Helen Stephens
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Noah brings his toy elephant Christmas shopping. Just before going home, Noah's elephant is lost. Can he be found? Jolly mixed-media illustrations.
Pip & Pup
written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Expressive pastel color and graphite illustrations with unusual perspectives tell the story of a budding friendship between unlikely species.
written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Expressive pastel color and graphite illustrations with unusual perspectives tell the story of a budding friendship between unlikely species.
Poe Won't Go
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Zachariah OHora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
An elephant parks himself in the middle of a road and won't move, until a young girl asks him why. Acrylic and pencil illustrations.
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Zachariah OHora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
An elephant parks himself in the middle of a road and won't move, until a young girl asks him why. Acrylic and pencil illustrations.
Quiet Loud/Silencioso ruidoso
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
[List with Big Little/Grande Pequeno] Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
[List with Big Little/Grande Pequeno] Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books.
Quiet Wyatt
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Quiet Wyatt learns, with the help of noisy Noreen, there are times when it is necessary to be loud. Very funny watercolor and pencil illustrations.
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Quiet Wyatt learns, with the help of noisy Noreen, there are times when it is necessary to be loud. Very funny watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Rainforest
written and illustrated by Julia Groves
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dramatic prints and collage illustrations and brief descriptions of rain forest animals capture their essential qualities. Scientific back matter.
written and illustrated by Julia Groves
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dramatic prints and collage illustrations and brief descriptions of rain forest animals capture their essential qualities. Scientific back matter.
Ramadan
by Hannah Eliot
Illustrator: Rashin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
The why and how Muslims celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Colorful, whimsical illustrations.
by Hannah Eliot
Illustrator: Rashin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
The why and how Muslims celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Colorful, whimsical illustrations.
Roar a Dinosaur Tour
written and illustrated by Michael Paul
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Beautifully colored dinosaurs with simple text compares their size, features, defenses, etc. Pronunciation chart.
written and illustrated by Michael Paul
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Beautifully colored dinosaurs with simple text compares their size, features, defenses, etc. Pronunciation chart.
Run Wild
written and illustrated by David Covell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Simple rhyming text with action-packed watercolors celebrate the joys of exploring nature and the freedom of children.
written and illustrated by David Covell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Simple rhyming text with action-packed watercolors celebrate the joys of exploring nature and the freedom of children.
So Far Up
written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear is hungry and wants a piece of the cake he sees in a window. How will he reach it? Clean digitally rendered illustrations.
written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear is hungry and wants a piece of the cake he sees in a window. How will he reach it? Clean digitally rendered illustrations.
Step by Step
written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Who walks in the mud or stands up soon after birth? Gentle digital drawings in soft brown colors. Details in back matter.
written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Who walks in the mud or stands up soon after birth? Gentle digital drawings in soft brown colors. Details in back matter.
Storm
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandfather and grandson reflect on past adventures as they look for their kite and then they set out on a new adventure. Whimsical ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandfather and grandson reflect on past adventures as they look for their kite and then they set out on a new adventure. Whimsical ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
Sun
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A small boy and his granddad look for the perfect picnic spot. They find one beyond imagination. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A small boy and his granddad look for the perfect picnic spot. They find one beyond imagination. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
Teddy's Favorite Toy
by Christian Trimmer
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Teddy loves Bren-Da, a doll with endless outfits and accessories. When she disappears, he worries that he'll never get her back. Expressive gouache and pencil illustrations.
by Christian Trimmer
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Teddy loves Bren-Da, a doll with endless outfits and accessories. When she disappears, he worries that he'll never get her back. Expressive gouache and pencil illustrations.
Thank you, Omu!
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Omu makes a “scrumptious” stew that everyone in the neighborhood wants to taste. After sharing, will Omu have anything left to eat? Warm collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Omu makes a “scrumptious” stew that everyone in the neighborhood wants to taste. After sharing, will Omu have anything left to eat? Warm collage illustrations.