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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Tell Me What to Dream About
written and illustrated by Giselle Potter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
At bedtime, two little sisters imagine a world of dreams. Fanciful watercolors.
written and illustrated by Giselle Potter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
At bedtime, two little sisters imagine a world of dreams. Fanciful watercolors.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Who can possibly doubt how a bear inadvertently traveled to the city, unknowingly explored unfamiliar places, ate someone's food, and miraculously returned home? Surprise! Colorful, impressionistic brushstrokes.
by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Who can possibly doubt how a bear inadvertently traveled to the city, unknowingly explored unfamiliar places, ate someone's food, and miraculously returned home? Surprise! Colorful, impressionistic brushstrokes.
The Bus is for Us!
by Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Gillian Tyler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
There are many ways to get around, but the bus is the big favorite. Soft watercolor illustrations.
by Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Gillian Tyler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
There are many ways to get around, but the bus is the big favorite. Soft watercolor illustrations.
The Full Moon at the Napping House
by Audrey Wood
Illustrator: Don Wood
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The restless inhabitants of a moon-drenched house are calmed by an unexpected visitor at bedtime. Warm, whimsical, detailed illustrations.
by Audrey Wood
Illustrator: Don Wood
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The restless inhabitants of a moon-drenched house are calmed by an unexpected visitor at bedtime. Warm, whimsical, detailed illustrations.
The Fun Book of Scary Stuff
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his two dogs confront life's scary stuff. Expressive watercolors.
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his two dogs confront life's scary stuff. Expressive watercolors.
The Goodbye Book
written and illustrated by Todd Parr
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A fish in a bowl goes through the stages of loss and grief and learns to remember special times and heal. Bold graphic art.
written and illustrated by Todd Parr
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A fish in a bowl goes through the stages of loss and grief and learns to remember special times and heal. Bold graphic art.
The Great and Mighty Nikko!
written and illustrated by Xavier Garza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
If Nikko isn't the one wrestling on his bed, then who is? Bold, vibrant illustrations.
written and illustrated by Xavier Garza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
If Nikko isn't the one wrestling on his bed, then who is? Bold, vibrant illustrations.
The Moon is Going to Addy's House
written and illustrated by Ida Pearle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
As a girl and her family drive home, the moon seems to follow and watch over them. Vibrant cut-paper collages.
written and illustrated by Ida Pearle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
As a girl and her family drive home, the moon seems to follow and watch over them. Vibrant cut-paper collages.
The New Small Person
written and illustrated by Lauren Child
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Bold color illustrations capture Elmore's frustration and alienation when his baby brother, Albert, arrives. Told with heartfelt humor.
written and illustrated by Lauren Child
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Bold color illustrations capture Elmore's frustration and alienation when his baby brother, Albert, arrives. Told with heartfelt humor.
The Nonsense Show
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Colorful tissue paper collage illustrations of engaging rhymes that capture preposterous situations.
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Colorful tissue paper collage illustrations of engaging rhymes that capture preposterous situations.
The Potato King
written and illustrated by Christoph Niemann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
In this amusing story of how the potato was introduced in Europe by a clever king, colorful potato prints add to the fun.
written and illustrated by Christoph Niemann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
In this amusing story of how the potato was introduced in Europe by a clever king, colorful potato prints add to the fun.
There, There
by Sam McBratney
Illustrator: Ivan Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Comforted by his dad after a series of mishaps, Hansie Bear knows just what to do when Dad has a sore foot. Dynamic full color illustrations.
by Sam McBratney
Illustrator: Ivan Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Comforted by his dad after a series of mishaps, Hansie Bear knows just what to do when Dad has a sore foot. Dynamic full color illustrations.
The Whale in my Swimming Pool
written and illustrated by Joyce Wan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A little boy wants to swim but his pool is already occupied. Simple drawings illustrate the challenge.
written and illustrated by Joyce Wan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A little boy wants to swim but his pool is already occupied. Simple drawings illustrate the challenge.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be
written and illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Rhymed text and gentle pastels convey the love and acceptance of a child's uniqueness and wonderful attributes as that child morphs into adulthood. Colorful watercolors.
written and illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Rhymed text and gentle pastels convey the love and acceptance of a child's uniqueness and wonderful attributes as that child morphs into adulthood. Colorful watercolors.
Toys Meet Snow
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
While the little girl is away, toy stuffed buffalo Lumphy, plush StingRay, and rubber ball Plastic explore the first winter snowfall outside. Painterly, digital illustrations.
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
While the little girl is away, toy stuffed buffalo Lumphy, plush StingRay, and rubber ball Plastic explore the first winter snowfall outside. Painterly, digital illustrations.
Two is Enough
by Janna Matthies
Illustrator: Tuesday Mourning
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When it's me plus you, two can do most everything--play, celebrate, eat, and comfort. Colorful, endearing illustrations.
by Janna Matthies
Illustrator: Tuesday Mourning
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When it's me plus you, two can do most everything--play, celebrate, eat, and comfort. Colorful, endearing illustrations.
Uh-Oh!
by Shutta Crum
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Playing at the seashore while their mothers look on, a toddler twosome exclaim “Uh-Oh!” with each discovery and disaster. Colorful, expressive pencil sketches.
by Shutta Crum
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Playing at the seashore while their mothers look on, a toddler twosome exclaim “Uh-Oh!” with each discovery and disaster. Colorful, expressive pencil sketches.
Virgil & Owen
written and illustrated by Paulette Bogan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Virgil, the penguin, seeks to own Owen, the polar bear, but he comes to understand what it means to be a friend.
written and illustrated by Paulette Bogan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Virgil, the penguin, seeks to own Owen, the polar bear, but he comes to understand what it means to be a friend.
Wait
written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Grown-ups are perpetually in a hurry, rushing to the next commitment. This little one tries to slow down and look around. Pencil, charcoal, and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Grown-ups are perpetually in a hurry, rushing to the next commitment. This little one tries to slow down and look around. Pencil, charcoal, and ink illustrations.
Waiting
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Through the seasons, five toys look out a window together, each waiting for something special to happen. Pastel brown ink, water, and color pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Through the seasons, five toys look out a window together, each waiting for something special to happen. Pastel brown ink, water, and color pencil illustrations.
Walk on the Wild Side
written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Three friends, a moose, a bear, and a beaver, decide that helping each other is more satisfying than winning a race. Expressive photoshopped artwork.
written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Three friends, a moose, a bear, and a beaver, decide that helping each other is more satisfying than winning a race. Expressive photoshopped artwork.
We All Count
written and illustrated by Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Aunties laugh, fireflies flicker, and owls burrow. Children have plenty to count in this gentle celebration of Cree language and culture. Smooth, soft illustrations.
written and illustrated by Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Aunties laugh, fireflies flicker, and owls burrow. Children have plenty to count in this gentle celebration of Cree language and culture. Smooth, soft illustrations.
Welcome Home, Bear
written and illustrated by Il Sung Na
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
After visiting his friends' homes around the world, Bear realizes that there is no place like home. Digitally enhanced textured paintings.
written and illustrated by Il Sung Na
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
After visiting his friends' homes around the world, Bear realizes that there is no place like home. Digitally enhanced textured paintings.
When the Wind Blows
by Linda Booth Sweeney
Illustrator: Jana Christy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Lyrical, rhymed text and digitalized pencil sketches describe a boy and his family's activities as a storm approaches.
by Linda Booth Sweeney
Illustrator: Jana Christy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Lyrical, rhymed text and digitalized pencil sketches describe a boy and his family's activities as a storm approaches.
When You Were Born
written and illustrated by Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A celebration of birth from elephants to humans explores the joy the event brings to parents. Digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A celebration of birth from elephants to humans explores the joy the event brings to parents. Digital illustrations.