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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Little Excavator
written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can a machine so small help transform a vacant lot into a park? Finding the right size job helps. Oil on masonite illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can a machine so small help transform a vacant lot into a park? Finding the right size job helps. Oil on masonite illustrations.
Little Mice/Ratoncitos (Canticos series)
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
Little Pig Saves the Ship
written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Unable to attend sailing camp with his siblings, Little Pig's Poppy builds him a sailboat and Little Pig surprises everyone with his sailing acumen. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Unable to attend sailing camp with his siblings, Little Pig's Poppy builds him a sailboat and Little Pig surprises everyone with his sailing acumen. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
Littles and How They Grow
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A sprightly rhymed text presents a diverse group of babies engaged in their daily activities with those that love them. Animated, tender illustrations.
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: AG Ford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A sprightly rhymed text presents a diverse group of babies engaged in their daily activities with those that love them. Animated, tender illustrations.
Lovely
written and illustrated by Jess Hong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very modern and comprehensive celebration of the many ways people are different. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jess Hong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very modern and comprehensive celebration of the many ways people are different. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
Mighty, Mighty Construction Site
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Construction vehicles, tools, and tasks are the topic of this dawn-to-dusk rhyming tale that emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Clear, vivid illustrations.
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Construction vehicles, tools, and tasks are the topic of this dawn-to-dusk rhyming tale that emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Clear, vivid illustrations.
Mine!
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Action-packed mixed-media illustrations bring to life an escalating battle between two mice for possession of a coveted rock.
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Action-packed mixed-media illustrations bring to life an escalating battle between two mice for possession of a coveted rock.
Motor Mix: Flight
by Emily Snape
Illustrator: Rilla Alexander
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Young readers will discover vehicles that fly above the city, around the moon, and on the ocean. A cleverly constructed flip book with digital artwork.
by Emily Snape
Illustrator: Rilla Alexander
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Young readers will discover vehicles that fly above the city, around the moon, and on the ocean. A cleverly constructed flip book with digital artwork.
Mouse and Hippo
written and illustrated by Mike Twohy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Two animals differentiated by their physical attributes, text color, and typeface, share their perspectives, creativity, and ingenuity in their role as artists. Humorous cartoonlike illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Twohy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Two animals differentiated by their physical attributes, text color, and typeface, share their perspectives, creativity, and ingenuity in their role as artists. Humorous cartoonlike illustrations.
Mouse Is Small
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Some animals are little and some are large. Which one makes the biggest impact? Bold mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Some animals are little and some are large. Which one makes the biggest impact? Bold mixed-media illustrations.
My Grandpa's Chair
written and illustrated by Jiyeon Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Will Grandpa find a chair he likes? Full-page expressive, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jiyeon Pak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Will Grandpa find a chair he likes? Full-page expressive, colorful illustrations.
My Little Donkey/Mi Burrito (Canticos series)
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
written and translated by Susie Jaramillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
[List with The Birthday Book]
Noisy Night
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Neighbors in an apartment house hear many different sounds upstairs above them. Entertaining, full-page illustrations provide clues.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Neighbors in an apartment house hear many different sounds upstairs above them. Entertaining, full-page illustrations provide clues.
No Kimchi For Me!
written and illustrated by Aram Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Yoomi's older brothers make fun of her when she won't eat spicy kimchi, Korean pickled vegetables, but Grandma has a delicious solution. Humorous mixed-media illustrations and recipe.
written and illustrated by Aram Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Yoomi's older brothers make fun of her when she won't eat spicy kimchi, Korean pickled vegetables, but Grandma has a delicious solution. Humorous mixed-media illustrations and recipe.
North, South, East, West
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
It's time for a little bird to leave her home. Where will she go? Warm, expressive illustrations of simple shapes and colors.
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
It's time for a little bird to leave her home. Where will she go? Warm, expressive illustrations of simple shapes and colors.
Now
written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - A girl names her favorite things from a falling leaf to a missing tooth to her mother sharing a book with her. Expressive brush and bamboo stick illustrations.
written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
ARC - A girl names her favorite things from a falling leaf to a missing tooth to her mother sharing a book with her. Expressive brush and bamboo stick illustrations.
On the Night of the Shooting Star
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very independent bunny and a very independent dog find that friendship has its benefits. Soothing mixed-media illustrations.
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
A very independent bunny and a very independent dog find that friendship has its benefits. Soothing mixed-media illustrations.
Opposite Surprise
written and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Children learn concepts like “one or many?” and “closed or open?” in this interactive pull-the-flap board book. Colorful cartoonish illustrations with bold text.
written and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Children learn concepts like “one or many?” and “closed or open?” in this interactive pull-the-flap board book. Colorful cartoonish illustrations with bold text.
Opuestos (First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art in English and Spanish series)
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Quirino and Martin Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
list with ABeCedarios Illustrated with wooden and ceramic sculptures, these bilingual board books will delight English and Spanish readers alike.
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Quirino and Martin Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
list with ABeCedarios Illustrated with wooden and ceramic sculptures, these bilingual board books will delight English and Spanish readers alike.
Penguin Day
written and photographed by Nic Bishop
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Vivid full-color photographs capture a day in the life of a rockhopper penguin chick and its parents in Antarctica. Author's note.
written and photographed by Nic Bishop
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Vivid full-color photographs capture a day in the life of a rockhopper penguin chick and its parents in Antarctica. Author's note.
Priscilla Gorilla
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Priscilla acts like a gorilla in class, producing humorously negative, but ultimately positive, results. Animated pencil and watercolor illustrations.
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Priscilla acts like a gorilla in class, producing humorously negative, but ultimately positive, results. Animated pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Rain
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Impatient to play in inclement weather, a boy's pent-up energy and imagination are finally unleashed when his grandfather must venture outside. Appealing watercolor-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Impatient to play in inclement weather, a boy's pent-up energy and imagination are finally unleashed when his grandfather must venture outside. Appealing watercolor-and-ink illustrations.
Red & Lulu
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
After a frantic search, a cardinal miraculously unites with his mate at the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in this holiday ode. Detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
After a frantic search, a cardinal miraculously unites with his mate at the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in this holiday ode. Detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Round
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Poetic text explores why we love this form from the smallest details of everyday life to the vast and ancient forces that shape our world. Mixed-media illustrations.
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Poetic text explores why we love this form from the smallest details of everyday life to the vast and ancient forces that shape our world. Mixed-media illustrations.
Sam & Eva
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can Eva and Sam work together or will their creative differences cause chaos? Expressive color and black-and-white illustrations.
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2017
Can Eva and Sam work together or will their creative differences cause chaos? Expressive color and black-and-white illustrations.