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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Cat Nap
written and illustrated by Toni Yuly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Cat wants a nap; kitten wants to play. Kitten is an expert at finding cat's retreats. Simple, repetitive text and colorful, outlined illustrations.
written and illustrated by Toni Yuly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Cat wants a nap; kitten wants to play. Kitten is an expert at finding cat's retreats. Simple, repetitive text and colorful, outlined illustrations.
Clive and His Art
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Clive loves art and his dolls and sharing his interests with his diverse set of friends. Full-page colorful expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Clive loves art and his dolls and sharing his interests with his diverse set of friends. Full-page colorful expressive illustrations.
Clive and His Babies
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
[list with Clive and his art]
written and illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
[list with Clive and his art]
Colors (Picture This series)
by Marie Vendittelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Children learn the colors and numbers, and a few animal names. Brilliant full-color photographs.
by Marie Vendittelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Children learn the colors and numbers, and a few animal names. Brilliant full-color photographs.
Duck, Duck, Porcupine!
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Three humorous adventures demonstrate silent Little Duck's common sense compared to a bossy older sibling. Bold, colorful, digital cartoon illustrations.
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Three humorous adventures demonstrate silent Little Duck's common sense compared to a bossy older sibling. Bold, colorful, digital cartoon illustrations.
Du Iz Tak?
written and illustrated by Carson Ellis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Backyard creatures, in invented language, marvel at a green shoot as life and changing seasons intervene. Vibrant gouache and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Carson Ellis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Backyard creatures, in invented language, marvel at a green shoot as life and changing seasons intervene. Vibrant gouache and ink illustrations.
Every Day Birds
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Illustrator: Dylan Metrano
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A rhyming text and stunning cut-paper illustrations present common birds of the northeastern United States.
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Illustrator: Dylan Metrano
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A rhyming text and stunning cut-paper illustrations present common birds of the northeastern United States.
Excellent Ed
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Julia Sarcone-Roach
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Feeling unworthy because he is not allowed to participate in many family activities, a spunky pup discovers his unique value. Mixed-media, humorous, vivid illustrations.
by Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Julia Sarcone-Roach
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Feeling unworthy because he is not allowed to participate in many family activities, a spunky pup discovers his unique value. Mixed-media, humorous, vivid illustrations.
Flora and the Peacocks
written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl with a fan wants to dance with two peacocks in a wordless tale. Flaps, folds, blues and greens on white pages.
written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl with a fan wants to dance with two peacocks in a wordless tale. Flaps, folds, blues and greens on white pages.
Fresh Delicious
by Irene Latham
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colorful collage and acrylic illustrations and blank verse take animal shoppers through a Framers' Market full of fruits and vegetables. Recipes included.
by Irene Latham
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colorful collage and acrylic illustrations and blank verse take animal shoppers through a Framers' Market full of fruits and vegetables. Recipes included.
Frida and Bear Play the Shape Game!
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An elephant and a bear challenge one another to turn odd shapes into drawings. The book challenges young readers to do the same. Mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An elephant and a bear challenge one another to turn odd shapes into drawings. The book challenges young readers to do the same. Mixed-media illustrations.
Gary
written and illustrated by Leila Rudge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Accidentally lost, a racing pigeon who can't fly uses details he gleaned from his peers' travels to return home. Multimedia double-spread illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leila Rudge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Accidentally lost, a racing pigeon who can't fly uses details he gleaned from his peers' travels to return home. Multimedia double-spread illustrations.
Go to Sleep, Monster!
written and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two siblings discover that monsters are also spooked in this hilarious bedtime adventure. Blue and purple colors with bursts of light individualize creatures.
written and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two siblings discover that monsters are also spooked in this hilarious bedtime adventure. Blue and purple colors with bursts of light individualize creatures.
Grow! Raise! Catch!
written and photographed by Shelley Rotner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Meet vegetable farmers, dairy farmers, fishermen, and the other people who produce, raise, and harvest all the things we eat. Mouth-watering photographs.
written and photographed by Shelley Rotner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Meet vegetable farmers, dairy farmers, fishermen, and the other people who produce, raise, and harvest all the things we eat. Mouth-watering photographs.
Henry & Leo
written and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Reality and imagination seamlessly fuse in both text and pictures as a boy's lost beloved stuffed toy lion is magically found. Dreamlike multimedia illustrations.
written and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Reality and imagination seamlessly fuse in both text and pictures as a boy's lost beloved stuffed toy lion is magically found. Dreamlike multimedia illustrations.
How Do You Say? ¿Cómo Se Dice?
written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC Spanish speaking and English speaking giraffes meet and become friends and amigos. Rich, mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC Spanish speaking and English speaking giraffes meet and become friends and amigos. Rich, mixed-media illustrations.
How To Build a Snow Bear
by Eric Pinder
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When he can't reach high enough to put a head on his snowman, Thomas gets his little sister to help. Colorful double-page illustrations.
by Eric Pinder
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When he can't reach high enough to put a head on his snowman, Thomas gets his little sister to help. Colorful double-page illustrations.
How to Find Gold
written and illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Cautious, methodical Crocodile and adventure-loving Anna create an effective, cooperative friendship to achieve their imaginative goal. Pencil, crayon, and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Cautious, methodical Crocodile and adventure-loving Anna create an effective, cooperative friendship to achieve their imaginative goal. Pencil, crayon, and watercolor illustrations.
If I Could Drive, Mama
by Cari Best
Illustrator: Simone Shin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Charlie, in his new cardboard box, drives his mother around town and making it an adventurous journey. Lively, colorful watercolors.
by Cari Best
Illustrator: Simone Shin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Charlie, in his new cardboard box, drives his mother around town and making it an adventurous journey. Lively, colorful watercolors.
I Hear a Pickle (and Smell, See, Touch, and Taste It, Too!)
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A diverse array of appealing children explore the five senses and experience food, flowers, rain, sneakers and stars. Delicate ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A diverse array of appealing children explore the five senses and experience food, flowers, rain, sneakers and stars. Delicate ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
In Plain Sight
by Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Poignant, detailed watercolor illustrations accompany a lyric repetitive text that captures the bond between a young girl and her grandfather in their daily hide and seek game.
by Richard Jackson
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Poignant, detailed watercolor illustrations accompany a lyric repetitive text that captures the bond between a young girl and her grandfather in their daily hide and seek game.
Into the Snow
by Yuki Kaneko
Illustrator: Masamitsu Saito
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A young child explores in the snow on his own for just the right amount of time. Gorgeous mixed media illustrations.
by Yuki Kaneko
Illustrator: Masamitsu Saito
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A young child explores in the snow on his own for just the right amount of time. Gorgeous mixed media illustrations.
Leaps and Bounce
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Sprightly rhyming text and lively mixed-media illustrations introduce us to the development of frogs, from egg to tadpole to four-legged adult.
by Susan Hood
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Sprightly rhyming text and lively mixed-media illustrations introduce us to the development of frogs, from egg to tadpole to four-legged adult.
Let's Play!
written and illustrated by Hervé Tullet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Little fingers can follow a yellow dot on a black line for an exciting adventure that is a little scary, and includes colorful concepts in spare illustrations.
written and illustrated by Hervé Tullet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Little fingers can follow a yellow dot on a black line for an exciting adventure that is a little scary, and includes colorful concepts in spare illustrations.
Listen to Our World
by Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A mother teaches her children to learn about different animals from around the world by using their senses to hear and see them. Watercolor, mixed-media illustrations
by Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A mother teaches her children to learn about different animals from around the world by using their senses to hear and see them. Watercolor, mixed-media illustrations