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
How to Find an Elephant
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - Just follow the simple suggestions offered by the intrepid young (backyard) explorer! Clever, colorful illustrations. [check art in final version]
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - Just follow the simple suggestions offered by the intrepid young (backyard) explorer! Clever, colorful illustrations. [check art in final version]
I Am (Not) Scared
by Anna Kang
Illustrator: Christopher Weyant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
What are scary things? Two appealing creatures take comfort in sharing their fears and conquering them. Amusing ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Anna Kang
Illustrator: Christopher Weyant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
What are scary things? Two appealing creatures take comfort in sharing their fears and conquering them. Amusing ink and watercolor illustrations.
If My Love Were a Fire Truck
by Luke Reynolds
Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
An endearing nighttime rhyme celebrates the gargantuan love of a father for son. Lively mixed-media illustrations.
by Luke Reynolds
Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
An endearing nighttime rhyme celebrates the gargantuan love of a father for son. Lively mixed-media illustrations.
I Got a New Friend
written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A toddler and a puppy get to know each other in this delightful tale of budding friendship. Digitally refined pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A toddler and a puppy get to know each other in this delightful tale of budding friendship. Digitally refined pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Imagine That!
written and illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A rhyming and repeating frolic follows a young child playing creatively throughout her day. Active watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A rhyming and repeating frolic follows a young child playing creatively throughout her day. Active watercolor illustrations.
In the Middle of Fall
by Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Brilliant fall-colored acrylic paints illustrate this simple tale as fall unfolds into winter.
by Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Brilliant fall-colored acrylic paints illustrate this simple tale as fall unfolds into winter.
I Promise
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
In this warm and loving dialogue, a mother bear explains to her baby the concept of “promises to keep.” Exquisite pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
In this warm and loving dialogue, a mother bear explains to her baby the concept of “promises to keep.” Exquisite pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
Ira Crumb Makes a Pretty Good Friend
by Naseem Hrab
Illustrator: Josh Holinaty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Dreading being the new kid in a new school, Ira tries to reach out in advance to future classmates. Humorous illustrations add to the fun.
by Naseem Hrab
Illustrator: Josh Holinaty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Dreading being the new kid in a new school, Ira tries to reach out in advance to future classmates. Humorous illustrations add to the fun.
Jabari Jumps
written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A boy, eager to use the diving board, has second thoughts, but his father's encouragement enables him to take the plunge. Animated illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A boy, eager to use the diving board, has second thoughts, but his father's encouragement enables him to take the plunge. Animated illustrations.
Laundry Day
written and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
What happens when two bored badgers eagerly take up their mother's offer to hang up the laundry while she is out? Humorous, detailed watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
What happens when two bored badgers eagerly take up their mother's offer to hang up the laundry while she is out? Humorous, detailed watercolor illustrations.
Leaf
written and illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Forest animals, at first fearful of the intrusion of a polar bear, discover his plight and help him return to his natural habitat. Vibrant, energetic full-page illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Forest animals, at first fearful of the intrusion of a polar bear, discover his plight and help him return to his natural habitat. Vibrant, energetic full-page illustrations.
Little Excavator
written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can a machine so small help transform a vacant lot into a park? Finding the right size job helps. Oil on masonite illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can a machine so small help transform a vacant lot into a park? Finding the right size job helps. Oil on masonite illustrations.
Little Mice/Ratoncitos (Canticos series)
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
Little Pig Saves the Ship
written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Unable to attend sailing camp with his siblings, Little Pig's Poppy builds him a sailboat and Little Pig surprises everyone with his sailing acumen. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Unable to attend sailing camp with his siblings, Little Pig's Poppy builds him a sailboat and Little Pig surprises everyone with his sailing acumen. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
Littles and How They Grow
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A sprightly rhymed text presents a diverse group of babies engaged in their daily activities with those that love them. Animated, tender illustrations.
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A sprightly rhymed text presents a diverse group of babies engaged in their daily activities with those that love them. Animated, tender illustrations.
Lovely
written and illustrated by Jess Hong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very modern and comprehensive celebration of the many ways people are different. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jess Hong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very modern and comprehensive celebration of the many ways people are different. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
Mighty, Mighty Construction Site
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Construction vehicles, tools, and tasks are the topic of this dawn-to-dusk rhyming tale that emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Clear, vivid illustrations.
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Construction vehicles, tools, and tasks are the topic of this dawn-to-dusk rhyming tale that emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Clear, vivid illustrations.
Mine!
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Action-packed mixed-media illustrations bring to life an escalating battle between two mice for possession of a coveted rock.
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Action-packed mixed-media illustrations bring to life an escalating battle between two mice for possession of a coveted rock.
Motor Mix: Flight
by Emily Snape
Illustrator: Rilla Alexander
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Young readers will discover vehicles that fly above the city, around the moon, and on the ocean. A cleverly constructed flip book with digital artwork.
by Emily Snape
Illustrator: Rilla Alexander
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Young readers will discover vehicles that fly above the city, around the moon, and on the ocean. A cleverly constructed flip book with digital artwork.
Mouse and Hippo
written and illustrated by Mike Twohy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Two animals differentiated by their physical attributes, text color, and typeface, share their perspectives, creativity, and ingenuity in their role as artists. Humorous cartoonlike illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Twohy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Two animals differentiated by their physical attributes, text color, and typeface, share their perspectives, creativity, and ingenuity in their role as artists. Humorous cartoonlike illustrations.
Mouse Is Small
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Some animals are little and some are large. Which one makes the biggest impact? Bold mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Some animals are little and some are large. Which one makes the biggest impact? Bold mixed-media illustrations.
My Grandpa's Chair
written and illustrated by Jiyeon Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Will Grandpa find a chair he likes? Full-page expressive, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jiyeon Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Will Grandpa find a chair he likes? Full-page expressive, colorful illustrations.
My Little Donkey/Mi Burrito (Canticos series)
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
Noisy Night
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Neighbors in an apartment house hear many different sounds upstairs above them. Entertaining, full-page illustrations provide clues.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Neighbors in an apartment house hear many different sounds upstairs above them. Entertaining, full-page illustrations provide clues.
No Kimchi For Me!
written and illustrated by Aram Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Yoomi's older brothers make fun of her when she won't eat spicy kimchi, Korean pickled vegetables, but Grandma has a delicious solution. Humorous mixed-media illustrations and recipe.
written and illustrated by Aram Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Yoomi's older brothers make fun of her when she won't eat spicy kimchi, Korean pickled vegetables, but Grandma has a delicious solution. Humorous mixed-media illustrations and recipe.