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
Pokko and the Drum
written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Pokko, a frog, takes her new drum into the woods, and is soon joined by instrument-playing animals. What a parade! Watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Pokko, a frog, takes her new drum into the woods, and is soon joined by instrument-playing animals. What a parade! Watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations.
Pride Colors
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhyming text and photographs of children with diverse skin hues celebrate love, individuality, and the rainbow flag. Back matter explains Pride Day and the rainbow flag's meaning.
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhyming text and photographs of children with diverse skin hues celebrate love, individuality, and the rainbow flag. Back matter explains Pride Day and the rainbow flag's meaning.
Pumpkin Orange, Pumpkin Round
by Rosanna Battigelli
Illustrator: Tara Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A family of cats pick a pumpkin to celebrate Halloween. Told in rhyme with mixed-media illustrations.
by Rosanna Battigelli
Illustrator: Tara Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
A family of cats pick a pumpkin to celebrate Halloween. Told in rhyme with mixed-media illustrations.
Raj and the Best Day Ever!
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Raj and his dad plan an outing, but when dad discovers he forgot his wallet, they use their imagination and find enjoyable substitutions. Strongly colored mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Raj and his dad plan an outing, but when dad discovers he forgot his wallet, they use their imagination and find enjoyable substitutions. Strongly colored mixed-media illustrations.
Roar Like a Dandelion
by Ruth Krauss
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This alphabet book charms with its unusual way of referring to initial letters. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Ruth Krauss
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
This alphabet book charms with its unusual way of referring to initial letters. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
Rosie and Rasmus
written and illustrated by Serena Geddes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rosie, a lonely small girl, and Rasmus, a lonely large dragon, help fulfill each other's wishes, until they must part. Soft, watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Serena Geddes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rosie, a lonely small girl, and Rasmus, a lonely large dragon, help fulfill each other's wishes, until they must part. Soft, watercolor illustrations.
Saturday
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ava and Mom have big plans, but disappointment threatens their joy. Will they find a way to save the day? Mixed-media collages.
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Ava and Mom have big plans, but disappointment threatens their joy. Will they find a way to save the day? Mixed-media collages.
Say Something!
written and illustrated by Peter Hamilton Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hand lettered text and a diverse array of characters encourage readers to express themselves and make a positive difference in the world. Bold colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Peter Hamilton Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hand lettered text and a diverse array of characters encourage readers to express themselves and make a positive difference in the world. Bold colorful illustrations.
Sea Bear
written and illustrated by Lindsay Moore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Poetic text and muted color illustrations convey the effects climate change has on the life of a polar bear as warming causes the ice to melt.
written and illustrated by Lindsay Moore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Poetic text and muted color illustrations convey the effects climate change has on the life of a polar bear as warming causes the ice to melt.
Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep
written and illustrated by Eric Barclay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Who is watching out for whom in this humorous romp about friendship and finding one's purpose? Entertaining pencil and photoshopped spot illustrations.
written and illustrated by Eric Barclay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Who is watching out for whom in this humorous romp about friendship and finding one's purpose? Entertaining pencil and photoshopped spot illustrations.
Side by Side
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In exuberant watercolors, fathers and children enjoy and learn from each other. Minimal, poetic text.
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
In exuberant watercolors, fathers and children enjoy and learn from each other. Minimal, poetic text.
Sign Off
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
What if symbols and figures jumped off road signs to take their places in the real world? Bright graphics convey this playful story without words.
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
What if symbols and figures jumped off road signs to take their places in the real world? Bright graphics convey this playful story without words.
Skyscraper
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Active verbs accompany spare graphic prints of the machines used to build a skyscraper. Double page spread illustrations capture the activity. Glossary included.
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Active verbs accompany spare graphic prints of the machines used to build a skyscraper. Double page spread illustrations capture the activity. Glossary included.
So Big!
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two friends face their first day at a really big school. Rhythmic, repetitive text and appealing full-color acrylic and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Two friends face their first day at a really big school. Rhythmic, repetitive text and appealing full-color acrylic and gouache illustrations.
Sounds
written and illustrated by Katie Wilson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Learn the sounds made by a variety of instruments , from cymbals to flute! Colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Katie Wilson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Learn the sounds made by a variety of instruments , from cymbals to flute! Colorful illustrations.
Thank You!
by Charo Pita
Illustrator: Anuska Allepuz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Not all questions need to be answered! Endearing, colorful illustrations of Isabella, her grandmother, and nature.
by Charo Pita
Illustrator: Anuska Allepuz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Not all questions need to be answered! Endearing, colorful illustrations of Isabella, her grandmother, and nature.
The Big, Angry Roar
written and illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Various jungle animals offer advice to a lion cub who remains angry after being disciplined by his parent. Stunning cut paper illustrations on white background.
written and illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Various jungle animals offer advice to a lion cub who remains angry after being disciplined by his parent. Stunning cut paper illustrations on white background.
The Goose Egg
written and illustrated by Liz Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Interrupting her peaceful life to mother a gosling, an ingenious elephant teaches the bird how to become a goose, with surprising results. Animated, simple multimedia illustrations.
written and illustrated by Liz Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Interrupting her peaceful life to mother a gosling, an ingenious elephant teaches the bird how to become a goose, with surprising results. Animated, simple multimedia illustrations.
The Happy Book
written and illustrated by Andy Rash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Comic-like illustrations depict two friends who face complexities in navigating a variety of emotions as their friendship is tested.
written and illustrated by Andy Rash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Comic-like illustrations depict two friends who face complexities in navigating a variety of emotions as their friendship is tested.
The Home Builders
by Varsha Bajaj
Illustrator: Simona Mulazzani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhythmic, rhyming text and detailed lush art depict woodland animals digging, gnawing, and gathering to build dens, lodges, and nests to create homes for their young.
by Varsha Bajaj
Illustrator: Simona Mulazzani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Rhythmic, rhyming text and detailed lush art depict woodland animals digging, gnawing, and gathering to build dens, lodges, and nests to create homes for their young.
The Imperfect Garden
by Melissa Assaly
Illustrator: April dela Noche Milne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Gardening, harvesting, and shopping help a young child learn that fruits and vegetables don't have to be perfect to be delicious. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Melissa Assaly
Illustrator: April dela Noche Milne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Gardening, harvesting, and shopping help a young child learn that fruits and vegetables don't have to be perfect to be delicious. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
The Love Letter
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrator: Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hedgehog finds a mysterious love letter that is then found by bunny, and later by squirrel. Each one is enriched by the message. Charming mixed-media illustrations.
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrator: Lucy Ruth Cummins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Hedgehog finds a mysterious love letter that is then found by bunny, and later by squirrel. Each one is enriched by the message. Charming mixed-media illustrations.
The Most Terrible of All
by Muon Thị Văn
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Smugg prides himself on being the most terrible monster of all, until he meets his match in this humorous Snow White variation. Laugh-out-loud acrylic and and oil illustrations.
by Muon Thị Văn
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Smugg prides himself on being the most terrible monster of all, until he meets his match in this humorous Snow White variation. Laugh-out-loud acrylic and and oil illustrations.
The New Neighbors
written and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Neighbors become progressively biased as they learn that rats have moved into their building - that is until they meet the actual couple. Action packed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Neighbors become progressively biased as they learn that rats have moved into their building - that is until they meet the actual couple. Action packed illustrations.
The Night is Yours
by Abdul-Razak Zachariah
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Amani plays an evening game of hide-and-seek with her friends in the glow of the moon. Gentle appealing acrylic illustrations.
by Abdul-Razak Zachariah
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2019
Amani plays an evening game of hide-and-seek with her friends in the glow of the moon. Gentle appealing acrylic illustrations.