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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Numbers
written and illustrated by John J. Reiss
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Counting numbers is enlivened by simple boldly-colored drawings of familiar objects
written and illustrated by John J. Reiss
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Counting numbers is enlivened by simple boldly-colored drawings of familiar objects
Numbers (Picture This series)
by Judith Nouvion
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
list with Colors (Picture This)
by Judith Nouvion
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
list with Colors (Picture This)
One Minute
written and illustrated by Somin Ahn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
What can you do in one minute? A little girl discovers that time can make a difference. Simple yet expressive drawings.
written and illustrated by Somin Ahn
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
What can you do in one minute? A little girl discovers that time can make a difference. Simple yet expressive drawings.
Oops Pounce Quick Run!
written and illustrated by Mike Twohy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Follow the alphabet and the wild chase that ensues after a dog's ball bounces into a mouse's hole. Colorful, energetic, humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Twohy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Follow the alphabet and the wild chase that ensues after a dog's ball bounces into a mouse's hole. Colorful, energetic, humorous illustrations.
Over the Ocean
written and illustrated by Taro Gomi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A small child imagines skyscrapers and funny animals, and maybe someone like her, across the ocean. Simple colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Taro Gomi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A small child imagines skyscrapers and funny animals, and maybe someone like her, across the ocean. Simple colorful illustrations.
Plenty of Love to Go Around
written and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A dog named Plum is everyone's favorite, until a cat named Binky moves in next door, and follows Plum everywhere. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A dog named Plum is everyone's favorite, until a cat named Binky moves in next door, and follows Plum everywhere. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations.
Polka Dots for Poppy
written and illustrated by Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Three sisters hatch a plan to find the perfect back-to-school clothes for their youngest sibling. Endearing gouache, pen-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Three sisters hatch a plan to find the perfect back-to-school clothes for their youngest sibling. Endearing gouache, pen-and-ink illustrations.
Potty/Bacinica
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A toddler asks and answers the question “Should I go potty?” Bilingual, with boldly outlined, acrylic paint illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A toddler asks and answers the question “Should I go potty?” Bilingual, with boldly outlined, acrylic paint illustrations.
Presents Through the Window
illustrated by Taro Gomi
Illustrator: Taro Gomi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
On Christmas eve, Santa, in his haste, bases his gift choices on glimpses through windows, with some curious results. Interactive cut-paper illustrations.
illustrated by Taro Gomi
Illustrator: Taro Gomi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
On Christmas eve, Santa, in his haste, bases his gift choices on glimpses through windows, with some curious results. Interactive cut-paper illustrations.
Quackers
written and illustrated by Liz Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a cat who thinks he's a duck discovers the truth, he learns even more about himself. Full page, playful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Liz Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a cat who thinks he's a duck discovers the truth, he learns even more about himself. Full page, playful illustrations.
Rescue Squad No. 9
written and illustrated by Mike Austin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A thrilling rescue at sea with bright compelling paintings and simple graphic words, plus a happy ending, is accompanied by notes on water safety.
written and illustrated by Mike Austin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A thrilling rescue at sea with bright compelling paintings and simple graphic words, plus a happy ending, is accompanied by notes on water safety.
Rooster/Gallo
by Jorge Luján
Illustrator: Manuel Monroy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An accessible nine-line poem and subtle, dreamy acrylic drawings follow day into night. In Spanish and English.
by Jorge Luján
Illustrator: Manuel Monroy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An accessible nine-line poem and subtle, dreamy acrylic drawings follow day into night. In Spanish and English.
Rose and the Wish thing
written and illustrated by Caroline Magerl
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How do wishes come true? Pen-and-ink drawings capture the magic of being hopeful and finding friends.
written and illustrated by Caroline Magerl
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How do wishes come true? Pen-and-ink drawings capture the magic of being hopeful and finding friends.
RRRalph
written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Can pet dog Ralph really talk? Are a dog's sounds real words? Colorful, imaginative collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Can pet dog Ralph really talk? Are a dog's sounds real words? Colorful, imaginative collage illustrations.
Secret Tree Fort
written and illustrated by Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A younger sister whose sibling is engrossed in a book hopes to lure her to play by conjuring up an imaginative alternative. Charcoal pencil and ink, digitally colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A younger sister whose sibling is engrossed in a book hopes to lure her to play by conjuring up an imaginative alternative. Charcoal pencil and ink, digitally colored illustrations.
Shape Shift
by Joyce Hesselberth
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Name the shapes, combine them, and then use your imagination. Colorful mixed-media and digital illustrations.
by Joyce Hesselberth
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Name the shapes, combine them, and then use your imagination. Colorful mixed-media and digital illustrations.
Sharks and Dolphins (Compare and Contrast)
by Kevin Kurtz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How are dolphins and sharks the same and how do they differ? Simple text and glorious color photographs. Activities included.
by Kevin Kurtz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How are dolphins and sharks the same and how do they differ? Simple text and glorious color photographs. Activities included.
Shy
written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a real bird trills by, a reticent book-loving giraffe struggles to make her acquaintance. Lyrical, colorful mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a real bird trills by, a reticent book-loving giraffe struggles to make her acquaintance. Lyrical, colorful mixed-media illustrations.
Spare Dog Parts
by Alison Hughes
Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl explains how her perfect pet was made from leftover, mismatched dog parts. A tribute to mixed-breed dogs with ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
by Alison Hughes
Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl explains how her perfect pet was made from leftover, mismatched dog parts. A tribute to mixed-breed dogs with ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
Steam Train, Dream Train
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colors and train car names celebrated in rhyme with pastels on dark paper make for dreamy but vibrant illustrations.
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colors and train car names celebrated in rhyme with pastels on dark paper make for dreamy but vibrant illustrations.
Superhero Dad
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A young boy presents all the reasons why his dad is a superhero: his breakfasts, his strength, his laugh . . . Joyfully illustrated.
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A young boy presents all the reasons why his dad is a superhero: his breakfasts, his strength, his laugh . . . Joyfully illustrated.
Super Jumbo
written and illustrated by Fred Koehler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Jumbo, a little elephant, wants to solve crimes. He's a super hero, isn't he? Humorous digital pen-and-ink drawings.
written and illustrated by Fred Koehler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Jumbo, a little elephant, wants to solve crimes. He's a super hero, isn't he? Humorous digital pen-and-ink drawings.
The Class
by Boni Ashburn
Illustrator: Kimberly Gee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Twenty children prepare for their first day of kindergarten, each in his or her own way. Whimsical pencil illustrations, digitally colored.
by Boni Ashburn
Illustrator: Kimberly Gee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Twenty children prepare for their first day of kindergarten, each in his or her own way. Whimsical pencil illustrations, digitally colored.
The Girl with the Parrot on Her Head
written and illustrated by Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
After Simon moves away, Isabel, who only has her parrot as a friend, is angry and scared, until she meets Chester. Colorful screen-printed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
After Simon moves away, Isabel, who only has her parrot as a friend, is angry and scared, until she meets Chester. Colorful screen-printed illustrations.
The Green Umbrella
by Jackie Azua Kramer
Illustrator: Maral Sassouni
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC During a walk in the rain, each animal that Elephant meets claims the umbrella is a different object. Full page, whimsicil illustrations.
by Jackie Azua Kramer
Illustrator: Maral Sassouni
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC During a walk in the rain, each animal that Elephant meets claims the umbrella is a different object. Full page, whimsicil illustrations.