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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The Monster Next Door
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a monster moves into the treehouse across the way, he becomes friends with a boy until . . . Digitally assembled watercolor, charcoal, and colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a monster moves into the treehouse across the way, he becomes friends with a boy until . . . Digitally assembled watercolor, charcoal, and colored pencil illustrations.
The Moon's Almost Here
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A father and child bid goodnight to the farm animals and wait for the moon to rise. Muted acrylic illustrations.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A father and child bid goodnight to the farm animals and wait for the moon to rise. Muted acrylic illustrations.
The Mouse and the Moon
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A little mouse discovers that he is not all alone as he follows the full moon to meet his new friend. Illustrations reflect the changing mood.
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A little mouse discovers that he is not all alone as he follows the full moon to meet his new friend. Illustrations reflect the changing mood.
The Not So Quiet Library
written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A monster romps through a library and learns books are tasty morsels for reading--not eating--and things quiet down again. Bold acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A monster romps through a library and learns books are tasty morsels for reading--not eating--and things quiet down again. Bold acrylic illustrations.
There's a Bear on My Chair
written and illustrated by Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Big bear is unaware of what mouse feels about his chair...until roles are reversed. Humorous text and oversized illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Big bear is unaware of what mouse feels about his chair...until roles are reversed. Humorous text and oversized illustrations.
The Two Tims
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two Tims do everything together until Tom comes along. Simple words and humorous watercolors guide readers through challenges and pleasures of new and old friends.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two Tims do everything together until Tom comes along. Simple words and humorous watercolors guide readers through challenges and pleasures of new and old friends.
The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon
written and illustrated by A. N. Kang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A cat is so light and airy that he needs a creative solution and a new friend to stop him from floating away. Understated, expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by A. N. Kang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A cat is so light and airy that he needs a creative solution and a new friend to stop him from floating away. Understated, expressive illustrations.
This Is Our Baby, Born Today
by Varsha Bajai
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
The world welcomes a baby - an elephant baby! All the creatures and nature rejoice. Illustrations are inviting, done with dip pens, India ink, and watercolors.
by Varsha Bajai
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
The world welcomes a baby - an elephant baby! All the creatures and nature rejoice. Illustrations are inviting, done with dip pens, India ink, and watercolors.
Thunder Boy Jr.
by Sherman Alexie
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Junior wants a name to celebrate something cool he has done, not just to be named after his dad. Rich mixed media illustrations.
by Sherman Alexie
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Junior wants a name to celebrate something cool he has done, not just to be named after his dad. Rich mixed media illustrations.
Toby
written and illustrated by Hazel Mitchell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A dog rescued from the shelter has trouble adjusting to his new home. Warm graphite and watercolor illustrations colored digitally.
written and illustrated by Hazel Mitchell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A dog rescued from the shelter has trouble adjusting to his new home. Warm graphite and watercolor illustrations colored digitally.
We Sang You Home
by Richard Van Camp
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Parents celebrate the arrival of their child into the world. Folk-art style gouache and digital collage illustrations.
by Richard Van Camp
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Parents celebrate the arrival of their child into the world. Folk-art style gouache and digital collage illustrations.
When Spring Comes
by Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How will we know when winter is finally over? Colorful acrylic illustrations and gentle rhythmic text explain what to look for.
by Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How will we know when winter is finally over? Colorful acrylic illustrations and gentle rhythmic text explain what to look for.
Where's the Elephant?
written and illustrated by Barroux
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An elephant, a parrot, and a snake blend with a full forest, but the city encroaches. An almost wordless book with colorful acrylic, collage, and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Barroux
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An elephant, a parrot, and a snake blend with a full forest, but the city encroaches. An almost wordless book with colorful acrylic, collage, and pencil illustrations.
Whoops!
by Suzi Moore
Illustrator: Russell Ayto
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
What happens when an old lady with magical powers casts a spell to help three animals make their appropriate noises? Mayhem! Hilarious mixed-media illustrations with rhymed text.
by Suzi Moore
Illustrator: Russell Ayto
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
What happens when an old lady with magical powers casts a spell to help three animals make their appropriate noises? Mayhem! Hilarious mixed-media illustrations with rhymed text.
Who Wants a Tortoise?
by Dave Keane
Illustrator: K. G. Campbell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A tortoise for a pet instead of a dog? Well maybe.... Colorful watercolor-and-pencil illustrations.
by Dave Keane
Illustrator: K. G. Campbell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A tortoise for a pet instead of a dog? Well maybe.... Colorful watercolor-and-pencil illustrations.
Who What Where?
written and illustrated by Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Searching for the smallest detail by studying the pencil and acrylic paint illustrations of comical characters is the core of this seek and find book.
written and illustrated by Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Searching for the smallest detail by studying the pencil and acrylic paint illustrations of comical characters is the core of this seek and find book.
Worm Loves Worm
by J. J. Austrian
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Worm and worm are in love and plan to get married. But does it matter which worm will be the bride and which will be the groom? Whimsical pencil and photoshopped illustrations.
by J. J. Austrian
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Worm and worm are in love and plan to get married. But does it matter which worm will be the bride and which will be the groom? Whimsical pencil and photoshopped illustrations.
Would You Rather Be a Princess or a Dragon?
written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Should you behave like a princess or a dragon? Snappy rhymes and bold illustrations can help you decide which to choose.
written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Should you behave like a princess or a dragon? Snappy rhymes and bold illustrations can help you decide which to choose.
Yellow Time
written and illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A diverse group of children notice changes in nature in this celebration of fall when the world turns yellow. Soft watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A diverse group of children notice changes in nature in this celebration of fall when the world turns yellow. Soft watercolor illustrations.
Yummy Yucky/¡Ñam! ¡Puaj!
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
From apple pie to mud pie, some things are delicious and some taste awful! Bilingual. Boldly outlined tempera illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
From apple pie to mud pie, some things are delicious and some taste awful! Bilingual. Boldly outlined tempera illustrations.
15 Things Not to Do with a Baby
by Margaret McAllister
Illustrator: Holly Sterling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A silly but helpful list of things an older sibling should not do with their new baby sibling. Colorful, joyful illustrations.
by Margaret McAllister
Illustrator: Holly Sterling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A silly but helpful list of things an older sibling should not do with their new baby sibling. Colorful, joyful illustrations.
A Bird Is a Bird
written and illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What makes a bird a bird? It takes special common attributes. Rendered in watercolor and colored pencil.
written and illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What makes a bird a bird? It takes special common attributes. Rendered in watercolor and colored pencil.
A Crow of His Own
by Megan Dowd Lambert
Illustrator: David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Will the motherly goose be able to help the scrawny new roster succeed in learning his job and save him from farmyard embarrassment? Expressive watercolors.
by Megan Dowd Lambert
Illustrator: David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Will the motherly goose be able to help the scrawny new roster succeed in learning his job and save him from farmyard embarrassment? Expressive watercolors.
All for a Dime!
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Mole, Bear, and Skunk each have a busy selling day at the market. Gently humorous mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Mole, Bear, and Skunk each have a busy selling day at the market. Gently humorous mixed-media illustrations.
Ally-Saurus & the First Day of School
written and illustrated by Richard Torrey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can a dinosaur-loving girl make friends at school? Playful multi-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Richard Torrey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can a dinosaur-loving girl make friends at school? Playful multi-media illustrations.