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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North, South, East, West
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
It's time for a little bird to leave her home. Where will she go? Warm, expressive illustrations of simple shapes and colors.
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
It's time for a little bird to leave her home. Where will she go? Warm, expressive illustrations of simple shapes and colors.
Now
written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - A girl names her favorite things from a falling leaf to a missing tooth to her mother sharing a book with her. Expressive brush and bamboo stick illustrations.
written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - A girl names her favorite things from a falling leaf to a missing tooth to her mother sharing a book with her. Expressive brush and bamboo stick illustrations.
On the Night of the Shooting Star
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very independent bunny and a very independent dog find that friendship has its benefits. Soothing mixed-media illustrations.
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very independent bunny and a very independent dog find that friendship has its benefits. Soothing mixed-media illustrations.
Opposite Surprise
written and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Children learn concepts like “one or many?” and “closed or open?” in this interactive pull-the-flap board book. Colorful cartoonish illustrations with bold text.
written and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Children learn concepts like “one or many?” and “closed or open?” in this interactive pull-the-flap board book. Colorful cartoonish illustrations with bold text.
Opuestos (First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art in English and Spanish series)
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Quirino and Martin Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
list with ABeCedarios Illustrated with wooden and ceramic sculptures, these bilingual board books will delight English and Spanish readers alike.
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Quirino and Martin Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
list with ABeCedarios Illustrated with wooden and ceramic sculptures, these bilingual board books will delight English and Spanish readers alike.
Penguin Day
written and photographed by Nic Bishop
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Vivid full-color photographs capture a day in the life of a rockhopper penguin chick and its parents in Antarctica. Author's note.
written and photographed by Nic Bishop
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Vivid full-color photographs capture a day in the life of a rockhopper penguin chick and its parents in Antarctica. Author's note.
Priscilla Gorilla
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Priscilla acts like a gorilla in class, producing humorously negative, but ultimately positive, results. Animated pencil and watercolor illustrations.
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Priscilla acts like a gorilla in class, producing humorously negative, but ultimately positive, results. Animated pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Rain
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Impatient to play in inclement weather, a boy's pent-up energy and imagination are finally unleashed when his grandfather must venture outside. Appealing watercolor-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Impatient to play in inclement weather, a boy's pent-up energy and imagination are finally unleashed when his grandfather must venture outside. Appealing watercolor-and-ink illustrations.
Red & Lulu
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
After a frantic search, a cardinal miraculously unites with his mate at the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in this holiday ode. Detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
After a frantic search, a cardinal miraculously unites with his mate at the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in this holiday ode. Detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Round
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Poetic text explores why we love this form from the smallest details of everyday life to the vast and ancient forces that shape our world. Mixed-media illustrations.
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Poetic text explores why we love this form from the smallest details of everyday life to the vast and ancient forces that shape our world. Mixed-media illustrations.
Sam & Eva
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can Eva and Sam work together or will their creative differences cause chaos? Expressive color and black-and-white illustrations.
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can Eva and Sam work together or will their creative differences cause chaos? Expressive color and black-and-white illustrations.
Say Zoop!
by Hervé Tullet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Get your fingers ready to touch the dots and make sounds, music, and much more. Brightly painted blue, red, and yellow dots fill every page.
by Hervé Tullet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Get your fingers ready to touch the dots and make sounds, music, and much more. Brightly painted blue, red, and yellow dots fill every page.
Shawn Loves Sharks
by Curtis Manley
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC ` Shawn knows just about everything there is to know about sharks, but friendship proves a little tricker to grasp. Colorful, imaginative illustrations [change description]
by Curtis Manley
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC ` Shawn knows just about everything there is to know about sharks, but friendship proves a little tricker to grasp. Colorful, imaginative illustrations [change description]
Sister Day!
by Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Lizzie's big sister is always busy with lessons and her own friends, but one day she finds a way to surprise her. Humorous digital illustrations.
by Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Lizzie's big sister is always busy with lessons and her own friends, but one day she finds a way to surprise her. Humorous digital illustrations.
Sleep Well, Siba & Saba
by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl
Illustrator: Sandra van Doorn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Two sisters are always losing things and finding them in their dreams. Set in Uganda, the story is told with alliteration and delicate watercolor drawings.
by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl
Illustrator: Sandra van Doorn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Two sisters are always losing things and finding them in their dreams. Set in Uganda, the story is told with alliteration and delicate watercolor drawings.
Sloppy Wants a Hug
written and illustrated by Sean Julian
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
The tree dragon only gets a hug from Dewdrop, the sprite, when he earns it. Too late, she remembers his yucky habit. Humorous, appealing illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sean Julian
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
The tree dragon only gets a hug from Dewdrop, the sprite, when he earns it. Too late, she remembers his yucky habit. Humorous, appealing illustrations.
Small
written and illustrated by Gina Perry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can a small girl conquer the city and begin to feel big? Expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gina Perry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can a small girl conquer the city and begin to feel big? Expressive illustrations.
Snowflake in My Pocket
by Rachel Bright
Illustrator: Yu Rong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A squirrel and a bear are best friends forever, even if the snow doesn't last. Bright, papercut artwork.
by Rachel Bright
Illustrator: Yu Rong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A squirrel and a bear are best friends forever, even if the snow doesn't last. Bright, papercut artwork.
Snow Scene
by Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - Beautiful, quiet winter and spring scenes of woods, birds, and children are portrayed in whimsical, expressive textured acrylics.
by Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - Beautiful, quiet winter and spring scenes of woods, birds, and children are portrayed in whimsical, expressive textured acrylics.
Spring for Sophie
by Yael Werber
Illustrator: Jen Hill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Guided by her parents, Sophie uses all five senses to tell her when spring has come. Warm, sensitive gouache illustrations.
by Yael Werber
Illustrator: Jen Hill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Guided by her parents, Sophie uses all five senses to tell her when spring has come. Warm, sensitive gouache illustrations.
Still Stuck
written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A young child gets stuck with his shirt over his head while undressing for bath time and imagines possible future scenarios. Humorous, cartoon-style illustrations.
written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A young child gets stuck with his shirt over his head while undressing for bath time and imagines possible future scenarios. Humorous, cartoon-style illustrations.
The Birthday Book/Las Mañanitas (Canticos series)
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Bilingual versions of beloved songs from the Spanish-speaking world, in accordian-book format. Bright, lift-the-flap tempura illustrations.
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Bilingual versions of beloved songs from the Spanish-speaking world, in accordian-book format. Bright, lift-the-flap tempura illustrations.
The Giant Jumperee
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A rabbit's friends help to rid his burrow of a menacing creature. Told through rhyme and repetition with vivid illustrations that capture the humor and suspense.
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A rabbit's friends help to rid his burrow of a menacing creature. Told through rhyme and repetition with vivid illustrations that capture the humor and suspense.
The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His A B C's (the Hard Way)
written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
An adventurous cat sets off on a zany chase in this guessing game and alphabet book. Retro-style cartoon pen-and-ink, pencil, and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
An adventurous cat sets off on a zany chase in this guessing game and alphabet book. Retro-style cartoon pen-and-ink, pencil, and watercolor illustrations.
The Quiet Crocodile
by Natacha Andriamirado
Illustrator: Delphine Renon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Fossil the tranquil reptile loves silence but a parade of friends invade his repose. Humorous pen, ink + colored pencil drawings and attractive end papers.
by Natacha Andriamirado
Illustrator: Delphine Renon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Fossil the tranquil reptile loves silence but a parade of friends invade his repose. Humorous pen, ink + colored pencil drawings and attractive end papers.