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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Monty's Magnificent Mane
written and illustrated by Gemma O'Neill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Monty is obsessed with his magnificent mane until he is pushed to realize that other things may be more important. Innovative mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gemma O'Neill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Monty is obsessed with his magnificent mane until he is pushed to realize that other things may be more important. Innovative mixed-media illustrations.
Mr. Postmouse's Rounds
written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Following Mr. Postmouse on his route allows a unique peek into different animals' distinctive homes. Extraordinary, colorful detailed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Following Mr. Postmouse on his route allows a unique peek into different animals' distinctive homes. Extraordinary, colorful detailed illustrations.
Music Class Today!
by David Weinstone
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Preschoolers sing, dance, and play instruments in a rhyming, join-in-the-fun (or sit-on-the-side) adventure. Digitally colored children abound.
by David Weinstone
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Preschoolers sing, dance, and play instruments in a rhyming, join-in-the-fun (or sit-on-the-side) adventure. Digitally colored children abound.
My Bike
written and illustrated by Byron Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy on his bike rides past many objects, animals, and people. Bright digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Byron Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy on his bike rides past many objects, animals, and people. Bright digital illustrations.
My Village
collected by Danielle Wright
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Traditional poems from fifty countries are illustrated with colorful collages.
collected by Danielle Wright
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Traditional poems from fifty countries are illustrated with colorful collages.
Night Animals
written and illustrated by Gianna Marino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Possum, a nighttime animal. is so afraid of the dark that soon his other nocturnal friends also begin to fear it. Spooky gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gianna Marino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Possum, a nighttime animal. is so afraid of the dark that soon his other nocturnal friends also begin to fear it. Spooky gouache illustrations.
Nobody's Perfect
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Sam Zuppardi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The concept behind the statement “nobody's perfect” is explored from a young boy's point of view. Childlike mixed media illustrations add integrity.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Sam Zuppardi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The concept behind the statement “nobody's perfect” is explored from a young boy's point of view. Childlike mixed media illustrations add integrity.
No, Silly!
written and illustrated by Ken Krug
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Do we sleep on cookies, books, or read trucks? Or would that be silly? Helpful, bright, colorful oil paintings.
written and illustrated by Ken Krug
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Do we sleep on cookies, books, or read trucks? Or would that be silly? Helpful, bright, colorful oil paintings.
On the Ball
written and illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his soccer ball share spirited, imaginative adventures and then return to the game. Delightfully illustrated with energetic swirls of color.
written and illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his soccer ball share spirited, imaginative adventures and then return to the game. Delightfully illustrated with energetic swirls of color.
Owl Boy
written and illustrated by Brian Schatell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Al likes owls. He likes what they do and how they live, and he'd like to be one until . . . .Told with humor and exaggerated watercolor and marker illustrations.
written and illustrated by Brian Schatell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Al likes owls. He likes what they do and how they live, and he'd like to be one until . . . .Told with humor and exaggerated watercolor and marker illustrations.
Pig Is Big on Books
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When pink pig can't find something to read, he creates something. Appealing full-page acrylic art.
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When pink pig can't find something to read, he creates something. Appealing full-page acrylic art.
P. Zonka Lays an Egg
written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
All the other hens lay eggs, but not P. Zonka. What's wrong with her? Colorful, luminous watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
All the other hens lay eggs, but not P. Zonka. What's wrong with her? Colorful, luminous watercolor illustrations.
Rhymoceros
written and illustrated by Janik Coat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A blue rhinoceros demonstrates rhyming words and phrases. Minimalist art, some pages including sensory details, set against a white background.
written and illustrated by Janik Coat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A blue rhinoceros demonstrates rhyming words and phrases. Minimalist art, some pages including sensory details, set against a white background.
Say Hello!
written and illustrated by Linda Davick
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
From hand shakes to hugs, there are lots of ways to greet someone. Simple rhyming text and lively, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Linda Davick
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
From hand shakes to hugs, there are lots of ways to greet someone. Simple rhyming text and lively, colorful illustrations.
Seven Orange Pumpkins
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What becomes of the vanishing pumpkins? Gentle rhymes and full-page Halloween colors and silhouettes.
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What becomes of the vanishing pumpkins? Gentle rhymes and full-page Halloween colors and silhouettes.
Sidewalk Flowers
by JonArno Lawson
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
In this wordless picture book, a young child picks flowers and gifts them to others. Pen-and-ink illustrations gradually gain color.
by JonArno Lawson
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
In this wordless picture book, a young child picks flowers and gifts them to others. Pen-and-ink illustrations gradually gain color.
Smick!
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Smick fetches a stick and meets a chick. Will it become a sidekick? Boldly outlined expressions with flashes of color, digitally rendered.
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Juana Medina
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Smick fetches a stick and meets a chick. Will it become a sidekick? Boldly outlined expressions with flashes of color, digitally rendered.
Soon
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Elephants Raju and his mother experience the dangers and pleasures of an early morning walk. Expressive and atmospheric illustrations.
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Elephants Raju and his mother experience the dangers and pleasures of an early morning walk. Expressive and atmospheric illustrations.
Spare Parts
written and illustrated by Rebecca Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
ARC - Colorful collage and catchy rhymed text explore friendship between two rusty, trusty spare parts.
written and illustrated by Rebecca Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
ARC - Colorful collage and catchy rhymed text explore friendship between two rusty, trusty spare parts.
Squid Kid the Magnificent
by Lynne Berry
Illustrator: Luke LaMarca
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A burgeoing magician must deal with his cynical sister. Perfect magician patois accompanies bold illustrations.
by Lynne Berry
Illustrator: Luke LaMarca
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A burgeoing magician must deal with his cynical sister. Perfect magician patois accompanies bold illustrations.
Squirrel Round and Round
written and illustrated by Belle Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
While other animals favor specific seasons, squirrel is busy all year. In English and Mandarin Chinese. Gouache illustrations with bold outlines.
written and illustrated by Belle Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
While other animals favor specific seasons, squirrel is busy all year. In English and Mandarin Chinese. Gouache illustrations with bold outlines.
Stormy Night
by Saline Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Bear and his bunny can't get to sleep during a loud thunderstorm. Luckily, Mama and Papa Bear are there to protect them. Color photoshopped illustrations.
by Saline Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Bear and his bunny can't get to sleep during a loud thunderstorm. Luckily, Mama and Papa Bear are there to protect them. Color photoshopped illustrations.
Supertruck
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
By day an ordinary garbage truck, but at night, during a blizzard, he mysteriously turns into a superhero. Bold graphic art.
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
By day an ordinary garbage truck, but at night, during a blizzard, he mysteriously turns into a superhero. Bold graphic art.
Sweep Up the Sun
by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Beautiful photographs of birds in action are accompanied by a poetic text. Back matter offers additional information, including location, coloring, and feeding patterns.
by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Beautiful photographs of birds in action are accompanied by a poetic text. Back matter offers additional information, including location, coloring, and feeding patterns.
Tad and Dad
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A bullfrog-Dad enjoys taking care of his little son until the day that Tad starts to grow up. Big changes! Humorous crayola and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A bullfrog-Dad enjoys taking care of his little son until the day that Tad starts to grow up. Big changes! Humorous crayola and watercolor illustrations.