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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Pip & Pup
written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Expressive pastel color and graphite illustrations with unusual perspectives tell the story of a budding friendship between unlikely species.
written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Expressive pastel color and graphite illustrations with unusual perspectives tell the story of a budding friendship between unlikely species.
Poe Won't Go
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Zachariah OHora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
An elephant parks himself in the middle of a road and won't move, until a young girl asks him why. Acrylic and pencil illustrations.
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Zachariah OHora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
An elephant parks himself in the middle of a road and won't move, until a young girl asks him why. Acrylic and pencil illustrations.
Quiet Loud/Silencioso ruidoso
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
[List with Big Little/Grande Pequeno] Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
[List with Big Little/Grande Pequeno] Vibrant, colorful, and humorous creatures illustrate opposites in these bilingual board books.
Quiet Wyatt
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Quiet Wyatt learns, with the help of noisy Noreen, there are times when it is necessary to be loud. Very funny watercolor and pencil illustrations.
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Quiet Wyatt learns, with the help of noisy Noreen, there are times when it is necessary to be loud. Very funny watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Rainforest
written and illustrated by Julia Groves
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dramatic prints and collage illustrations and brief descriptions of rain forest animals capture their essential qualities. Scientific back matter.
written and illustrated by Julia Groves
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Dramatic prints and collage illustrations and brief descriptions of rain forest animals capture their essential qualities. Scientific back matter.
Ramadan
by Hannah Eliot
Illustrator: Rashin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
The why and how Muslims celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Colorful, whimsical illustrations.
by Hannah Eliot
Illustrator: Rashin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
The why and how Muslims celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Colorful, whimsical illustrations.
Roar a Dinosaur Tour
written and illustrated by Michael Paul
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Beautifully colored dinosaurs with simple text compares their size, features, defenses, etc. Pronunciation chart.
written and illustrated by Michael Paul
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Beautifully colored dinosaurs with simple text compares their size, features, defenses, etc. Pronunciation chart.
Run Wild
written and illustrated by David Covell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Simple rhyming text with action-packed watercolors celebrate the joys of exploring nature and the freedom of children.
written and illustrated by David Covell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Simple rhyming text with action-packed watercolors celebrate the joys of exploring nature and the freedom of children.
So Far Up
written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear is hungry and wants a piece of the cake he sees in a window. How will he reach it? Clean digitally rendered illustrations.
written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Bear is hungry and wants a piece of the cake he sees in a window. How will he reach it? Clean digitally rendered illustrations.
Step by Step
written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Who walks in the mud or stands up soon after birth? Gentle digital drawings in soft brown colors. Details in back matter.
written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Who walks in the mud or stands up soon after birth? Gentle digital drawings in soft brown colors. Details in back matter.
Storm
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandfather and grandson reflect on past adventures as they look for their kite and then they set out on a new adventure. Whimsical ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandfather and grandson reflect on past adventures as they look for their kite and then they set out on a new adventure. Whimsical ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
Sun
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A small boy and his granddad look for the perfect picnic spot. They find one beyond imagination. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A small boy and his granddad look for the perfect picnic spot. They find one beyond imagination. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
Teddy's Favorite Toy
by Christian Trimmer
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Teddy loves Bren-Da, a doll with endless outfits and accessories. When she disappears, he worries that he'll never get her back. Expressive gouache and pencil illustrations.
by Christian Trimmer
Illustrator: Madeline Valentine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Teddy loves Bren-Da, a doll with endless outfits and accessories. When she disappears, he worries that he'll never get her back. Expressive gouache and pencil illustrations.
Thank you, Omu!
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Omu makes a “scrumptious” stew that everyone in the neighborhood wants to taste. After sharing, will Omu have anything left to eat? Warm collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Omu makes a “scrumptious” stew that everyone in the neighborhood wants to taste. After sharing, will Omu have anything left to eat? Warm collage illustrations.
The Bagel King
by Andrew Larson
Illustrator: Sandy Nichols
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandfather has fallen! Now who will deliver the freshly baked bagels to neighbors and family eager for their Sunday treat? Soft palette heightens caricature-like cast. Yiddish glossary.
by Andrew Larson
Illustrator: Sandy Nichols
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Grandfather has fallen! Now who will deliver the freshly baked bagels to neighbors and family eager for their Sunday treat? Soft palette heightens caricature-like cast. Yiddish glossary.
The Big Umbrella
by Amy June Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A smiling, red umbrella grows bigger as it welcomes everyone who wants shelter and companionship. Watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
by Amy June Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A smiling, red umbrella grows bigger as it welcomes everyone who wants shelter and companionship. Watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
The Boy and the Blue Moon
by Sara O'Leary
Illustrator: Ashley Crowley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
As a boy and his cat set out to reach the blue moon, the night turns magical. Was it real or a dream? Blue ink applied to mixed media.
by Sara O'Leary
Illustrator: Ashley Crowley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
As a boy and his cat set out to reach the blue moon, the night turns magical. Was it real or a dream? Blue ink applied to mixed media.
The Boy Who Went to Mars
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Stanley goes to Mars in his space mobile and returns to earth as a Martian! Pen and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Stanley goes to Mars in his space mobile and returns to earth as a Martian! Pen and watercolor illustrations.
The Digger and the Flower
written and illustrated by Joseph Kuefler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A simple, yet evocative tale that celebrates friendship and devotion. Vibrant watercolors on canvas heighten this story's enjoyment.
written and illustrated by Joseph Kuefler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A simple, yet evocative tale that celebrates friendship and devotion. Vibrant watercolors on canvas heighten this story's enjoyment.
The Extraordinary Gardener
written and illustrated by Sam Boughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In a gray world, Joe, with a seed and his imagination, grows a garden for everyone to enjoy.Colorful chalk illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sam Boughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
In a gray world, Joe, with a seed and his imagination, grows a garden for everyone to enjoy.Colorful chalk illustrations.
The Other Ducks
by Ellen Yeomans
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Even though This Duck and That Duck are best friends, they sometimes yearn for Other companionship. Amusing illustrations add to the merriment.
by Ellen Yeomans
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
Even though This Duck and That Duck are best friends, they sometimes yearn for Other companionship. Amusing illustrations add to the merriment.
The Rabbit Listened
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Taylor's block structure collapses, all he needs is a good listener. Vibrant digital art captures varieties of emotions, including empathy.
written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
When Taylor's block structure collapses, all he needs is a good listener. Vibrant digital art captures varieties of emotions, including empathy.
There's a Tiger in the Garden
written and illustrated by Lizzy Stewart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
At Grandma's, Nora is a bit bored until she allows herself to follow her imagination into the garden. Bright, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lizzy Stewart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
At Grandma's, Nora is a bit bored until she allows herself to follow her imagination into the garden. Bright, colorful illustrations.
The Snowy Nap
written and illustrated by Jan Brett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A hedgehog who hears from all the farm animals about the glories of winter decides to stay awake and experience it for himself. Luxuriant watercolors and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jan Brett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
A hedgehog who hears from all the farm animals about the glories of winter decides to stay awake and experience it for himself. Luxuriant watercolors and gouache illustrations.
The Ugly Five
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
“Ugly” on the outside is only part of the story. Unusual birds and animals describe themselves in verse. Their offspring tell a different story. Warm, colorful illustrations.
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2018
“Ugly” on the outside is only part of the story. Unusual birds and animals describe themselves in verse. Their offspring tell a different story. Warm, colorful illustrations.