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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You Hold Me Up
by `Monique Gray Smith
Illustrator: Danielle Daniel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A celebration of all the ways people help, affirm, and support each other. Simple but effective gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations.
by `Monique Gray Smith
Illustrator: Danielle Daniel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A celebration of all the ways people help, affirm, and support each other. Simple but effective gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations.
Zebra on the Go
by Jill Nogales
Illustrator: Lorraine Rocha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
The lion turns angry when the zebra steps on his toe, and a hilarious circus chase is on. Lively, rhythmic text with vibrant watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by Jill Nogales
Illustrator: Lorraine Rocha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
The lion turns angry when the zebra steps on his toe, and a hilarious circus chase is on. Lively, rhythmic text with vibrant watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Aberdeen
written and illustrated by Stacey Previn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Aberdeen is a young mouse who follows a wandering balloon leading to many unexpected adventures. Watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Stacey Previn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Aberdeen is a young mouse who follows a wandering balloon leading to many unexpected adventures. Watercolor illustrations.
All We Know
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A mother connects her love for her child to other instinctive behaviors in animals and the natural world. Gentle rhyming text. Glowing multimedia illustrations.
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A mother connects her love for her child to other instinctive behaviors in animals and the natural world. Gentle rhyming text. Glowing multimedia illustrations.
Animal Talk
by Cynthia Weill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
This colorful bilingual book presents animal sounds in two languages. Photographs of brilliantly colored wood carvings created by Mexican artisans.
by Cynthia Weill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
This colorful bilingual book presents animal sounds in two languages. Photographs of brilliantly colored wood carvings created by Mexican artisans.
Be a Friend
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Dennis communicates only in mime and other children ignore him, but one day someone catches his imaginary ball. Simple pencil and digitally colored art.
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Dennis communicates only in mime and other children ignore him, but one day someone catches his imaginary ball. Simple pencil and digitally colored art.
Bear & Hare, Where's Bear
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two good friends take turns playing hide-and-seek in a humorous story illustrated in crayon, pencil, and watercolor.
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two good friends take turns playing hide-and-seek in a humorous story illustrated in crayon, pencil, and watercolor.
Bella's Fall Coat
by Lynn Plourde
Illustrator: Susan Gal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Bella has such fun in her favorite coat enjoying the Fall season outside, but Gram sees a need for change. Fall colors are prominent in lively, cheerful illustrations.
by Lynn Plourde
Illustrator: Susan Gal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Bella has such fun in her favorite coat enjoying the Fall season outside, but Gram sees a need for change. Fall colors are prominent in lively, cheerful illustrations.
Blocks
written and illustrated by Irene Dickson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A boy and a girl learn to share their blue and red building blocks, but then a boy's arrival with green blocks creates complications. Simple, bold illustrations.
written and illustrated by Irene Dickson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A boy and a girl learn to share their blue and red building blocks, but then a boy's arrival with green blocks creates complications. Simple, bold illustrations.
Blue & Bertie
written and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A gentle story of friendship explores the world of Bertie the giraffe and his new friend, a blue giraffe. Simple appealing pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A gentle story of friendship explores the world of Bertie the giraffe and his new friend, a blue giraffe. Simple appealing pencil illustrations.
Bob and Flo Play Hide-and-Seek
written and illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Penguins Bob, Flo, and Sam figure out how to play together. Colorful pastels.
written and illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Penguins Bob, Flo, and Sam figure out how to play together. Colorful pastels.
Cat Nap
written and illustrated by Toni Yuly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Cat wants a nap; kitten wants to play. Kitten is an expert at finding cat's retreats. Simple, repetitive text and colorful, outlined illustrations.
written and illustrated by Toni Yuly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Cat wants a nap; kitten wants to play. Kitten is an expert at finding cat's retreats. Simple, repetitive text and colorful, outlined illustrations.
Clive and His Art
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Clive loves art and his dolls and sharing his interests with his diverse set of friends. Full-page colorful expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Clive loves art and his dolls and sharing his interests with his diverse set of friends. Full-page colorful expressive illustrations.
Clive and His Babies
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
[list with Clive and his art]
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
[list with Clive and his art]
Colors (Picture This series)
by Marie Vendittelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Children learn the colors and numbers, and a few animal names. Brilliant full-color photographs.
by Marie Vendittelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Children learn the colors and numbers, and a few animal names. Brilliant full-color photographs.
Duck, Duck, Porcupine!
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Three humorous adventures demonstrate silent Little Duck's common sense compared to a bossy older sibling. Bold, colorful, digital cartoon illustrations.
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Three humorous adventures demonstrate silent Little Duck's common sense compared to a bossy older sibling. Bold, colorful, digital cartoon illustrations.
Du Iz Tak?
written and illustrated by Carson Ellis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Backyard creatures, in invented language, marvel at a green shoot as life and changing seasons intervene. Vibrant gouache and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Carson Ellis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Backyard creatures, in invented language, marvel at a green shoot as life and changing seasons intervene. Vibrant gouache and ink illustrations.
Every Day Birds
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Illustrator: Dylan Metrano
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A rhyming text and stunning cut-paper illustrations present common birds of the northeastern United States.
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Illustrator: Dylan Metrano
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A rhyming text and stunning cut-paper illustrations present common birds of the northeastern United States.
Excellent Ed
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Julia Sarcone-Roach
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Feeling unworthy because he is not allowed to participate in many family activities, a spunky pup discovers his unique value. Mixed-media, humorous, vivid illustrations.
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Julia Sarcone-Roach
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Feeling unworthy because he is not allowed to participate in many family activities, a spunky pup discovers his unique value. Mixed-media, humorous, vivid illustrations.
Flora and the Peacocks
written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl with a fan wants to dance with two peacocks in a wordless tale. Flaps, folds, blues and greens on white pages.
written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl with a fan wants to dance with two peacocks in a wordless tale. Flaps, folds, blues and greens on white pages.
Fresh Delicious
by Irene Latham
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colorful collage and acrylic illustrations and blank verse take animal shoppers through a Framers' Market full of fruits and vegetables. Recipes included.
by Irene Latham
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colorful collage and acrylic illustrations and blank verse take animal shoppers through a Framers' Market full of fruits and vegetables. Recipes included.
Frida and Bear Play the Shape Game!
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An elephant and a bear challenge one another to turn odd shapes into drawings. The book challenges young readers to do the same. Mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An elephant and a bear challenge one another to turn odd shapes into drawings. The book challenges young readers to do the same. Mixed-media illustrations.
Gary
written and illustrated by Leila Rudge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Accidentally lost, a racing pigeon who can't fly uses details he gleaned from his peers' travels to return home. Multimedia double-spread illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leila Rudge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Accidentally lost, a racing pigeon who can't fly uses details he gleaned from his peers' travels to return home. Multimedia double-spread illustrations.
Go to Sleep, Monster!
written and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two siblings discover that monsters are also spooked in this hilarious bedtime adventure. Blue and purple colors with bursts of light individualize creatures.
written and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two siblings discover that monsters are also spooked in this hilarious bedtime adventure. Blue and purple colors with bursts of light individualize creatures.
Grow! Raise! Catch!
written and photographed by Shelley Rotner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Meet vegetable farmers, dairy farmers, fishermen, and the other people who produce, raise, and harvest all the things we eat. Mouth-watering photographs.
written and photographed by Shelley Rotner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Meet vegetable farmers, dairy farmers, fishermen, and the other people who produce, raise, and harvest all the things we eat. Mouth-watering photographs.