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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Maleta Full of Treasures, A
Natalia Sylvester
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
When her abuela visits from Peru, a young girl creates memories with her, sharing food, stories, time, and love. Digital illustrations inspired by Andean art.
Natalia Sylvester
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
When her abuela visits from Peru, a young girl creates memories with her, sharing food, stories, time, and love. Digital illustrations inspired by Andean art.
Mama in the Moon
Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Brian Cronin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After tumbling to the ground at night, Baby Sloth is comforted by his mama, who encourages him to observe nature's wonders. Striking dark backgrounds with splashes of pastel colors.
Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Brian Cronin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After tumbling to the ground at night, Baby Sloth is comforted by his mama, who encourages him to observe nature's wonders. Striking dark backgrounds with splashes of pastel colors.
Mango Tree, The/La mata de mango
Edel Rodriguez
Illustrator: Edel Rodriguez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Two island-dwelling boys spend their days playing in their beloved tree until they are separated by a ferocious storm. Wordless. Woodblock printing and sumi ink with digital media.
Edel Rodriguez
Illustrator: Edel Rodriguez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Two island-dwelling boys spend their days playing in their beloved tree until they are separated by a ferocious storm. Wordless. Woodblock printing and sumi ink with digital media.
Mela
Maddalena Schiavo
Illustrator: Eleonora Pace
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
This story of patience, warmth, and gentleness celebrates the growth of love and trust between a girl and a rescue dog. Expressive, finely detailed art.
Maddalena Schiavo
Illustrator: Eleonora Pace
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
This story of patience, warmth, and gentleness celebrates the growth of love and trust between a girl and a rescue dog. Expressive, finely detailed art.
Midnight Panther, The (A Poonam Mistry Fable)
Poonam Mistry
Illustrator: Poonam Mistry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A panther tries to imitate other jungle cats before learning to appreciate its own unique beauty. Glittering, ornate ink and digital illustrations inspired by the folk art of India.
Poonam Mistry
Illustrator: Poonam Mistry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A panther tries to imitate other jungle cats before learning to appreciate its own unique beauty. Glittering, ornate ink and digital illustrations inspired by the folk art of India.
My Book and Me
Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Clear, joyful words and exuberant paintings celebrate the many ways to appreciate a favorite book.
Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Clear, joyful words and exuberant paintings celebrate the many ways to appreciate a favorite book.
My Daddy Is a Cowboy
Stephanie Seales
Illustrator: C. G. Esperanza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A Panamanian American girl expresses pride and joy during her early morning ride with her dad. Striking illustrations capture the colors of daybreak.
Stephanie Seales
Illustrator: C. G. Esperanza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A Panamanian American girl expresses pride and joy during her early morning ride with her dad. Striking illustrations capture the colors of daybreak.
My Thoughts Have Wings
Maggie Smith
Illustrator: Leanne Hatch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
While a young girl is falling asleep, her mother gently helps her acknowledge and release her worries. Imaginatively painted illustrations digitally assembled.
Maggie Smith
Illustrator: Leanne Hatch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
While a young girl is falling asleep, her mother gently helps her acknowledge and release her worries. Imaginatively painted illustrations digitally assembled.
Nature's Architects (Little Nature Expiorers series)
Amber Hendricks
Illustrator: Gavin Scott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Beavers, ants, and other creatures design different styles of homes that help protect their young. Poetic text. Clear supportive illustrations.
Amber Hendricks
Illustrator: Gavin Scott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Beavers, ants, and other creatures design different styles of homes that help protect their young. Poetic text. Clear supportive illustrations.
Night Song
Mk Smith Despres
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A frog who wishes to sing like the morning birds is reminded of his important vocal role at dusk. Lyrical text and idyllic art in pencil, ink, and watercolor.
Mk Smith Despres
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A frog who wishes to sing like the morning birds is reminded of his important vocal role at dusk. Lyrical text and idyllic art in pencil, ink, and watercolor.
Not Perfect
Maya Myers
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Frustrated by her errors, plucky young Dot tackles a school art project. Can she live up to her best friend Sam's "perfect" standard? Cheerful colored pencil artwork.
Maya Myers
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Frustrated by her errors, plucky young Dot tackles a school art project. Can she live up to her best friend Sam's "perfect" standard? Cheerful colored pencil artwork.
Oh! Look, a Boat!
Andrew J. Ross
Illustrator: Andrew J. Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After a folded paper boat drifts up to his front door, a mouse steps in and embarks on a grand voyage around the world. Bright collage-style art.
Andrew J. Ross
Illustrator: Andrew J. Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After a folded paper boat drifts up to his front door, a mouse steps in and embarks on a grand voyage around the world. Bright collage-style art.
On a Summer Night
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Who has awakened a child and a series of animals in the evening stillness? A gentle, cumulative refrain leads to the answer. Dark, purple-tinted digital art.
Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Who has awakened a child and a series of animals in the evening stillness? A gentle, cumulative refrain leads to the answer. Dark, purple-tinted digital art.
One Giant Leap
Thao Lam
Illustrator: Thao Lam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
With the zip of a snowsuit and the push of an elevator button, a child becomes an astronaut exploring the moon. Playful collage art conveys the wordless narrative.
Thao Lam
Illustrator: Thao Lam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
With the zip of a snowsuit and the push of an elevator button, a child becomes an astronaut exploring the moon. Playful collage art conveys the wordless narrative.
One Sweet Song
Jyoti Rajan Gopal
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
As diverse people create a communal melody with voices, instruments, and other things that make sound, music transforms a neighborhood into a celebration. Vibrant digital illustrations.
Jyoti Rajan Gopal
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
As diverse people create a communal melody with voices, instruments, and other things that make sound, music transforms a neighborhood into a celebration. Vibrant digital illustrations.
On Powwow Day
Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Madelyn Goodnight
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Count the activities and objects and identify the colors at a traditional Native American gathering and celebration Vibrant Illustrations
Traci Sorell
Illustrator: Madelyn Goodnight
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Count the activities and objects and identify the colors at a traditional Native American gathering and celebration Vibrant Illustrations
Our Spot
Lindsay Ward
Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A girl and her papa share special memories of Mama on their weekly evening fishing trips. Warm-hued mixed-media art.
Lindsay Ward
Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A girl and her papa share special memories of Mama on their weekly evening fishing trips. Warm-hued mixed-media art.
Out of the Blue
Rebecca Bach-Lauritsen
Illustrator: Anna Margrethe Kjærgaard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A boy's lonely existence is upended by the arrival of an energetic bear. Soft greyscale drawings with spots of blue and brown.
Rebecca Bach-Lauritsen
Illustrator: Anna Margrethe Kjærgaard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A boy's lonely existence is upended by the arrival of an energetic bear. Soft greyscale drawings with spots of blue and brown.
Peace on Earth
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: David Litchfield
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A trio of travelers explore an idyllic wilderness and, with love and harmony, settle a fierce dispute. Ink, paint, and digital art in glowing colors.
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: David Litchfield
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A trio of travelers explore an idyllic wilderness and, with love and harmony, settle a fierce dispute. Ink, paint, and digital art in glowing colors.
Pelican Can!, The
Toni Yuly
Illustrator: Toni Yuly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Soar, fly, spy, dive, splash and scoop along with a busy pod of pelicans at the shore. Torn paper collage art.
Toni Yuly
Illustrator: Toni Yuly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Soar, fly, spy, dive, splash and scoop along with a busy pod of pelicans at the shore. Torn paper collage art.
Pretty Ugly
David Sedaris
Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A young ogre turns herself adorable to scare her family, but the prank backfires when her face freezes. Can she fix her mistake? Hilariously grotesque cartoon drawings.
David Sedaris
Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A young ogre turns herself adorable to scare her family, but the prank backfires when her face freezes. Can she fix her mistake? Hilariously grotesque cartoon drawings.
Prunella
Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Claire Keane
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Born with a purple thumb, prickly Prunella grows up loving only the oddest, foulest plants. Will she ever allow friends into her wild garden? Lively digital illustrations.
Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Claire Keane
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Born with a purple thumb, prickly Prunella grows up loving only the oddest, foulest plants. Will she ever allow friends into her wild garden? Lively digital illustrations.
Ready to Soar
Cori Doerrfeld
Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After folding a paper airplane, Riley encounters a series of birds whose unwanted advice keeps getting in the way of a proper liftoff. Cheerful digital illustrations.
Cori Doerrfeld
Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After folding a paper airplane, Riley encounters a series of birds whose unwanted advice keeps getting in the way of a proper liftoff. Cheerful digital illustrations.
Roar-Choo!
Charlotte Cheng
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Dragon has a fiery cold but, wanting to look fierce, rejects Phoenix's healing tea and soup. Will Dragon slow down and rest? Humorous mixed-media illustrations; Author's Note.
Charlotte Cheng
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Dragon has a fiery cold but, wanting to look fierce, rejects Phoenix's healing tea and soup. Will Dragon slow down and rest? Humorous mixed-media illustrations; Author's Note.
Ruffles and the Red, Red Coat (Ruffles series)
David Melling
Illustrator: David Melling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A puppy realizes that the way to play outside in the cold with his friend Ruby is to wear a coat to stay warm. Humorous illustrations in primary colors.
David Melling
Illustrator: David Melling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A puppy realizes that the way to play outside in the cold with his friend Ruby is to wear a coat to stay warm. Humorous illustrations in primary colors.