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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Dream
written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A parent gorilla lovingly envisions what the future may hold for a newborn baby gorilla. Gentle watercolors.
written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A parent gorilla lovingly envisions what the future may hold for a newborn baby gorilla. Gentle watercolors.
Egg
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Of four eggs, three crack open and out come three baby birds. But what's in the fourth egg? Soft pastel, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Of four eggs, three crack open and out come three baby birds. But what's in the fourth egg? Soft pastel, ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Everybunny Dance
written and illustrated by Ellie Sandall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Lilting rhymes will inspire young listeners to join this lively dance of friendship. Energetic, humorous full-color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ellie Sandall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Lilting rhymes will inspire young listeners to join this lively dance of friendship. Energetic, humorous full-color illustrations.
Feathers and Hair
by Jennifer Ward
Illustrator: Jing Jing Tsong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Dynamic colors and richly textured illustrations of various animal body coverings are woven seamlessly with a simple rhyming text. End notes label each animal with accompanying facts.
by Jennifer Ward
Illustrator: Jing Jing Tsong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Dynamic colors and richly textured illustrations of various animal body coverings are woven seamlessly with a simple rhyming text. End notes label each animal with accompanying facts.
Frankie
written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Pencil and digitally colored illustrations capture the humorous “sibling rivalry” between two dogs.
written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Pencil and digitally colored illustrations capture the humorous “sibling rivalry” between two dogs.
Free the Lines
written and illustrated by Clayton Junior
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Captivating lines tell a wordless story of a cat who fishes and sails and cleverly saves the day.
written and illustrated by Clayton Junior
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Captivating lines tell a wordless story of a cat who fishes and sails and cleverly saves the day.
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Lori Nichols
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Repetitive refrains and playful verbs dramatize the chaos of farm animal bed-poaching in contrast to their mistress's cozy bed time. Twilight palette illustrations evoke night-time.
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Lori Nichols
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Repetitive refrains and playful verbs dramatize the chaos of farm animal bed-poaching in contrast to their mistress's cozy bed time. Twilight palette illustrations evoke night-time.
Grandma's Tiny House
by JaNay Brown-Wood
Illustrator: Priscilla Burris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Lively bold illustrations depict Grandma's tiny, tiny house that is big enough for dinner with numerous friends, family, and love!
by JaNay Brown-Wood
Illustrator: Priscilla Burris
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Lively bold illustrations depict Grandma's tiny, tiny house that is big enough for dinner with numerous friends, family, and love!
Green Pants
written and illustrated by Kenneth Kraegel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Jameson wants to be in the wedding, but he must dress formally, not in his green pants. What will he do? Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kenneth Kraegel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Jameson wants to be in the wedding, but he must dress formally, not in his green pants. What will he do? Watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Hand Over Hand
by Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Renneé Benoit
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
In a small Filipino village, Nina persuades her grandfather that she is as capable of fishing as the boys. Realistic watercolors.
by Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Renneé Benoit
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
In a small Filipino village, Nina persuades her grandfather that she is as capable of fishing as the boys. Realistic watercolors.
Have You Seen My Lunch Box?
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Search for things to get ready for school, cleverly hidden in ink drawings with collage paper. The colorful labeled list tells the things you need to find.
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Search for things to get ready for school, cleverly hidden in ink drawings with collage paper. The colorful labeled list tells the things you need to find.
Hector the Collector
by Emily Beeny
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
After teasing Hector about his acorn collection, his classmates learn about the many kinds of collections in the world. Pencil, watercolor and ink illustrations.
by Emily Beeny
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
After teasing Hector about his acorn collection, his classmates learn about the many kinds of collections in the world. Pencil, watercolor and ink illustrations.
Home in the Rain
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A long road trip home leaves Francie and her mom time to contemplate names for her new baby sister. Poetic text and light watercolors.
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A long road trip home leaves Francie and her mom time to contemplate names for her new baby sister. Poetic text and light watercolors.
How to Be a Bigger Bunny
by Florence Minor
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
When Tickles is left behind by her older siblings, she discovers that her devotion to reading leads her to their rescue. Warm, reassuring illustrations in watercolor and gouache.
by Florence Minor
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
When Tickles is left behind by her older siblings, she discovers that her devotion to reading leads her to their rescue. Warm, reassuring illustrations in watercolor and gouache.
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.