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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
A Surprise for Tiny Mouse
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Tiny mouse loves all kinds of weather except the rain. Then rain brings a wonderful surprise. Richly textures collage and die cut illustrations.
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Tiny mouse loves all kinds of weather except the rain. Then rain brings a wonderful surprise. Richly textures collage and die cut illustrations.
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
written and illustrated by Jane Cabrera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Black sheep shares his wool with a girl who knits for her nursery rhyme friends. Cumulative, brightly colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jane Cabrera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Black sheep shares his wool with a girl who knits for her nursery rhyme friends. Cumulative, brightly colored illustrations.
Bea in The Nutcracker
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An adorable toddler and her ballet class don their costumes and perform a famous ballet. Animated pencil, ink and oil paint illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An adorable toddler and her ballet class don their costumes and perform a famous ballet. Animated pencil, ink and oil paint illustrations.
Bear and Bunny
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
While wandering in the woods, two best friends find their perfect pet. Pastel mixed-media illustrations.
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
While wandering in the woods, two best friends find their perfect pet. Pastel mixed-media illustrations.
Bear and Duck
written and illustrated by Katy Hudson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Bear asks Duck to teach him how to be a duck but discovers that he's better at being a bear. Gently humorous ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Katy Hudson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Bear asks Duck to teach him how to be a duck but discovers that he's better at being a bear. Gently humorous ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
Bear & Hare Go Fishing
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The charming adventure of two friends told in sparse text and warm and clever drawings.
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The charming adventure of two friends told in sparse text and warm and clever drawings.
Beastly Babies
by Ellen Jackson
Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Baby animals can be mischievous, playing or imitating their moms. But no matter what, moms always love them. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
by Ellen Jackson
Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Baby animals can be mischievous, playing or imitating their moms. But no matter what, moms always love them. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep!
by Todd Tarpley
Illustrator: John Rocco
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy's robots are reluctant to go to sleep until the perfect solution is found. Clever rhymes; delightful pencil, watercolor and digital art.
by Todd Tarpley
Illustrator: John Rocco
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy's robots are reluctant to go to sleep until the perfect solution is found. Clever rhymes; delightful pencil, watercolor and digital art.
Bob and Flo
written and illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Flo finds a friend on the first day of pre-k, but loses her lunch pail. Or did she? Whimsical illustratioins.
written and illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Flo finds a friend on the first day of pre-k, but loses her lunch pail. Or did she? Whimsical illustratioins.
Bulldozer's Big Day
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Eric Rohmann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What will Bulldozer do when he thinks his friends are not responding to his special day? Striking block prints.
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Eric Rohmann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What will Bulldozer do when he thinks his friends are not responding to his special day? Striking block prints.
Click, Clack, Peep!
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Farmer Brown and his animals welcome Baby Duck--until nighttime when she won't go to sleep. Lovely watercolors and lots of “peeps.”
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Farmer Brown and his animals welcome Baby Duck--until nighttime when she won't go to sleep. Lovely watercolors and lots of “peeps.”
Dad's First Day
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A twist on the first day of school jitters as Oliver's dad has a hard time letting go. Humorous gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A twist on the first day of school jitters as Oliver's dad has a hard time letting go. Humorous gouache illustrations.
Eric Carle's How Things Grow
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What happened to the very hungry caterpillar? Lift the flap to learn how animals and plants change and grow. Brightly illustrated.
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What happened to the very hungry caterpillar? Lift the flap to learn how animals and plants change and grow. Brightly illustrated.
Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred)
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Wide-awake Fred annoys any number of creatures who want to sleep. Rhyming text and watercolor and pen-and-ink drawings.
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Wide-awake Fred annoys any number of creatures who want to sleep. Rhyming text and watercolor and pen-and-ink drawings.
Feet Go to Sleep
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Maggie Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
After an exciting day at the beach, Fiona slowly relaxes one body part at a time, recalling the day's activities. Colorful mixed media illustrations.
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Maggie Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
After an exciting day at the beach, Fiona slowly relaxes one body part at a time, recalling the day's activities. Colorful mixed media illustrations.
Fetch
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A dog, a beach, a red ball, and lots of water create the fun. One well chosen word tells the story in each soft color spread.
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A dog, a beach, a red ball, and lots of water create the fun. One well chosen word tells the story in each soft color spread.
Finders Keepers
written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A “found” hat, taking on different properties depending on the finder, makes its way back to its original owner. Large colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A “found” hat, taking on different properties depending on the finder, makes its way back to its original owner. Large colored pencil illustrations.
Finding Spring
written and illustrated by Carin Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What does spring mean to a little bear whose family sleeps through the winter? Photographed collages and mixed media in earthy colors.
written and illustrated by Carin Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What does spring mean to a little bear whose family sleeps through the winter? Photographed collages and mixed media in earthy colors.
Fire Engine No. 9
written and illustrated by Mike Austin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Readers experience fighting a fire with a fire engine crew. Sound and action words and graphic illustrations tell this dynamic story. Includes fire safety tips.
written and illustrated by Mike Austin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Readers experience fighting a fire with a fire engine crew. Sound and action words and graphic illustrations tell this dynamic story. Includes fire safety tips.
Fly!
written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A young bug (a fly) tries to find his talent with the support of his insect garden friends. Simple and action-oriented artwork.
written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A young bug (a fly) tries to find his talent with the support of his insect garden friends. Simple and action-oriented artwork.
Fright Club
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can the local “cute critters” be scary enough to join the regular monsters on Halloween? Graphite and digitally colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can the local “cute critters” be scary enough to join the regular monsters on Halloween? Graphite and digitally colored illustrations.
Gemma & Gus
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations.
Good Night, Firefly
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Nina wants the light of a trapped firefly to make her feel safe until she realizes what the firefly needs. Stunning black-and-white illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Nina wants the light of a trapped firefly to make her feel safe until she realizes what the firefly needs. Stunning black-and-white illustrations.
Goodnight, Good Dog
by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Rebecca Malone
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The house is asleep, the children are asleep, but little dog is wide awake. What's a dog to do? Illustrated with soft, childlike acrylic drawings.
by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Rebecca Malone
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The house is asleep, the children are asleep, but little dog is wide awake. What's a dog to do? Illustrated with soft, childlike acrylic drawings.
Gus Explores his World
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations. [List with Gemma and Gus - single blurb]
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations. [List with Gemma and Gus - single blurb]