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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Alma and How She Got Her Name
written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A little girl's father tells her the story of how she ended up with so many names. Engaging acrylic, graphite, and colored pencil illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A little girl's father tells her the story of how she ended up with so many names. Engaging acrylic, graphite, and colored pencil illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
A Lullaby of Summer Things
by Natalie Ziarnik
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Lyrical rhymed couplets celebrate the activities of a day at the beach and a night at home. Lively full-page illustrations.
by Natalie Ziarnik
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Lyrical rhymed couplets celebrate the activities of a day at the beach and a night at home. Lively full-page illustrations.
Am I Yours?
written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After an egg has been blown from its nest, a group of friendly dinosaurs help it find its way home. Bold digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After an egg has been blown from its nest, a group of friendly dinosaurs help it find its way home. Bold digital illustrations.
A Parade of Elephants
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Five elephants march up, down, over, under, in, and out, until they trumpet, scattering stars across the sky, and go to sleep. Gentle gouache and line illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Five elephants march up, down, over, under, in, and out, until they trumpet, scattering stars across the sky, and go to sleep. Gentle gouache and line illustrations.
Baby's Firsts
by Nancy Raines Day
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Joyful rhymes follow three babies from multiracial families through the milestones of their first year. Lively pencil and digital color illustrations.
by Nancy Raines Day
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Joyful rhymes follow three babies from multiracial families through the milestones of their first year. Lively pencil and digital color illustrations.
Bear and Wolf
written and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and Wolf take a winter walk together, observing their world, and then separating when the season changes. Scratchboard, subtle, quiet illustrations.
written and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and Wolf take a winter walk together, observing their world, and then separating when the season changes. Scratchboard, subtle, quiet illustrations.
Bear's Scare
written and illustrated by Jacob Grant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and his stuffed friend Ursa enjoy a neat house but are upset when an intruding spider messes it up. Charcoal and crayon, digitally colored.
written and illustrated by Jacob Grant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear and his stuffed friend Ursa enjoy a neat house but are upset when an intruding spider messes it up. Charcoal and crayon, digitally colored.
Big Box Little Box
by Caryl Hart
Illustrator: Edward Underwood
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A curious cat explores boxes of different shapes, colors, and sizes, and finally finds a mouse. Pencil, ink, and collage illustrations.
by Caryl Hart
Illustrator: Edward Underwood
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A curious cat explores boxes of different shapes, colors, and sizes, and finally finds a mouse. Pencil, ink, and collage illustrations.
Big Bug
written and illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful illustrations demonstrate big and little.
written and illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful illustrations demonstrate big and little.
Big Bunny
written and illustrated by Rowboat Watkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dad is telling a bedtime story, but it isn't scary enough for his youngster, who takes over the tale. Silliness abounds, with colorful, exaggerated illustrations enhancing the humor.
written and illustrated by Rowboat Watkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dad is telling a bedtime story, but it isn't scary enough for his youngster, who takes over the tale. Silliness abounds, with colorful, exaggerated illustrations enhancing the humor.
Bigger! Bigger!
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A box of blocks leads a small girl to build beyond her imagination, until a baby interferes. Bold outlined, brightly colored, acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A box of blocks leads a small girl to build beyond her imagination, until a baby interferes. Bold outlined, brightly colored, acrylic illustrations.
Big Kid Bed
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
It's time for bed but not in the usual baby crib. Humorous and colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
It's time for bed but not in the usual baby crib. Humorous and colorful illustrations.
Big Little/Grande pequeño
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books. [list with quiet/loud]
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books. [list with quiet/loud]
Birds from Head to Tail
by Stacey Roderick
Illustrator: Kwanchai Moriya
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In guessing game format, eight birds, each with a special feature, are introduced and accompanied by colorful digitally enhanced illustrations.
by Stacey Roderick
Illustrator: Kwanchai Moriya
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In guessing game format, eight birds, each with a special feature, are introduced and accompanied by colorful digitally enhanced illustrations.
Black Bird, Yellow Sun
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this attractively illustrated board book we greet different parts of nature as the day progresses, with each presentation featuring a color.
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this attractively illustrated board book we greet different parts of nature as the day progresses, with each presentation featuring a color.
Building Books
by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Illustrator: Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can two siblings, a sister who prefers building and a brother who prefers reading, embrace each other's interest? Animated illustrations highlight gender-stereotype role reversal.
by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Illustrator: Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can two siblings, a sister who prefers building and a brother who prefers reading, embrace each other's interest? Animated illustrations highlight gender-stereotype role reversal.
Bus! Stop!
written and illustrated by James Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A young rider's misfortune turns imaginative and delightful. Fanciful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by James Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A young rider's misfortune turns imaginative and delightful. Fanciful digital illustrations.
Dad By My Side
written and illustrated by Soosh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A child recounts the special relationship with her father, deriving strength from his love and support. Whimsical watercolors illustrate shared activities.
written and illustrated by Soosh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A child recounts the special relationship with her father, deriving strength from his love and support. Whimsical watercolors illustrate shared activities.
Dance, Dance, Dance! (Horse & Buggy series)
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Horse and Buggy are good friends, only Horse loves to dance and Buggy does not - until he hears the music. Humorous digital cartoon illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Horse and Buggy are good friends, only Horse loves to dance and Buggy does not - until he hears the music. Humorous digital cartoon illustrations.
Daniela the Pirate
by Susanna Isern
Illustrator: Gómez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can a girl be a pirate even if she can prove how brave, strong, and quick she is? Daniela thinks so. Cheerful, humorous illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
by Susanna Isern
Illustrator: Gómez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Can a girl be a pirate even if she can prove how brave, strong, and quick she is? Daniela thinks so. Cheerful, humorous illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
Dog On A Digger
written and illustrated by Kate Prendergast
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In a wordless book, a dog on a construction site rescues a puppy. Cross-hatched gray pencil and yellow accented illustrations with superb renderings of heavy machinery.
written and illustrated by Kate Prendergast
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In a wordless book, a dog on a construction site rescues a puppy. Cross-hatched gray pencil and yellow accented illustrations with superb renderings of heavy machinery.
Door
written and illustrated by JiHyeon Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful, detailed illustrations accompany a wordless adventure to the other side of the door of one boy's imagination.
written and illustrated by JiHyeon Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Colorful, detailed illustrations accompany a wordless adventure to the other side of the door of one boy's imagination.
Ducks Away!
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Judy Horacek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this intergenerational counting book the surprise ending shows how grown-ups can learn from their progeny. Bright minimalist illustrations enhance the story.
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Judy Horacek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this intergenerational counting book the surprise ending shows how grown-ups can learn from their progeny. Bright minimalist illustrations enhance the story.
Errol's Garden
written and illustrated by Gillian Hibbs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Errol loves to grow things, but has no garden in his city apartment. Then he discovers the roof of his building. Illustrations portray diverse children.
written and illustrated by Gillian Hibbs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Errol loves to grow things, but has no garden in his city apartment. Then he discovers the roof of his building. Illustrations portray diverse children.