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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Every Color Soup
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Learn colors by identifying the ingredients for a wonderful vegetable soup. Large, clear Photoshop illustrations. Recipe included.
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Learn colors by identifying the ingredients for a wonderful vegetable soup. Large, clear Photoshop illustrations. Recipe included.
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Kumbh Mela
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A farmer in India ventures to a large festival where he never seems to get what he wants. Deeply-colored digital illustrations. Back matter
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A farmer in India ventures to a large festival where he never seems to get what he wants. Deeply-colored digital illustrations. Back matter
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Market
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Falgu attempts to reach the market with his produce and eggs intact, but the trip goes terribly wrong. He salvages the day with a brilliant solution. Vibrant, simple illustrations.
by Chitra Soundar
Illustrator: Kanika Nair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Falgu attempts to reach the market with his produce and eggs intact, but the trip goes terribly wrong. He salvages the day with a brilliant solution. Vibrant, simple illustrations.
Festival of Colors
by Kabir Sehgal
Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Chintoo and Mintoo prepare for the Indian Festival of Holi, a celebration of color and community. Vibrant illustrations.
by Kabir Sehgal
Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Chintoo and Mintoo prepare for the Indian Festival of Holi, a celebration of color and community. Vibrant illustrations.
First Star
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
With simple language and luminous drawings, Bear helps Mole get over his fear of the dark by telling a story about how Bears created the North Star.
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
With simple language and luminous drawings, Bear helps Mole get over his fear of the dark by telling a story about how Bears created the North Star.
Flo
by Kyo Maclear
Illustrator: Jay Fleck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A member of an over-programmed panda family spends her days enjoying life. Later, she rescues everyone from disaster. Charming pastel-toned illustrations.
by Kyo Maclear
Illustrator: Jay Fleck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A member of an over-programmed panda family spends her days enjoying life. Later, she rescues everyone from disaster. Charming pastel-toned illustrations.
Floaty
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A grumpy old man receives a mysterious basket at his door that changes his life for the better. Colorful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A grumpy old man receives a mysterious basket at his door that changes his life for the better. Colorful digital illustrations.
Forest Baby
by Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Shantala Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A mother describes everything she and her baby see as they take a walk through the woods. Gentle mixed-media illustrations.
by Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Shantala Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A mother describes everything she and her baby see as they take a walk through the woods. Gentle mixed-media illustrations.
Found
by Jeff Newman
Illustrator: Larry Day
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this nearly wordless story, a lonely child rescues a dog in a downpour but reluctantly returns it upon seeing a lost dog poster. Expressive illustrations with minimal color palette.
by Jeff Newman
Illustrator: Larry Day
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In this nearly wordless story, a lonely child rescues a dog in a downpour but reluctantly returns it upon seeing a lost dog poster. Expressive illustrations with minimal color palette.
Gator, Gator, Gator!
by Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Going out to the bayou with her binoculars, a young girl searches for an alligator. Told through rhyme, rhythm, and repetition with mixed media Photoshop illustrations.
by Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Going out to the bayou with her binoculars, a young girl searches for an alligator. Told through rhyme, rhythm, and repetition with mixed media Photoshop illustrations.
Goat's Coat
by Tom Percival
Illustrator: Christine Pym
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Alfonso gives away his special coat, thread by thread, to needy friends, who will keep him from freezing? Rhymed text and expressive, bright illustrations.
by Tom Percival
Illustrator: Christine Pym
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Alfonso gives away his special coat, thread by thread, to needy friends, who will keep him from freezing? Rhymed text and expressive, bright illustrations.
Goodnight Sandman
written and illustrated by Daniela Drescher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Jacob the Sandman and Milo the mouse sprinkle magic dreams - and then they meet the scary Night Monster! Dreamy illustrations.
written and illustrated by Daniela Drescher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Jacob the Sandman and Milo the mouse sprinkle magic dreams - and then they meet the scary Night Monster! Dreamy illustrations.
Grains of Sand
written and illustrated by Sibylle Delacroix
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After a seaside vacation, two siblings imagine the many possibilities of what their planted grains of sand will reap. Evocative pen and pencil illustrations with bursts of color.
written and illustrated by Sibylle Delacroix
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
After a seaside vacation, two siblings imagine the many possibilities of what their planted grains of sand will reap. Evocative pen and pencil illustrations with bursts of color.
Grandma's Purse
written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandma Mimi's visits are always special, filled with treasures and stories that connect a little girl to her grandmother. Energetic mixed media illustrations and a surprise ending.
written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandma Mimi's visits are always special, filled with treasures and stories that connect a little girl to her grandmother. Energetic mixed media illustrations and a surprise ending.
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