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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Rooster/Gallo
by Jorge Luján
Illustrator: Manuel Monroy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An accessible nine-line poem and subtle, dreamy acrylic drawings follow day into night. In Spanish and English.
by Jorge Luján
Illustrator: Manuel Monroy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
An accessible nine-line poem and subtle, dreamy acrylic drawings follow day into night. In Spanish and English.
Rose and the Wish thing
written and illustrated by Caroline Magerl
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How do wishes come true? Pen-and-ink drawings capture the magic of being hopeful and finding friends.
written and illustrated by Caroline Magerl
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How do wishes come true? Pen-and-ink drawings capture the magic of being hopeful and finding friends.
RRRalph
written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Can pet dog Ralph really talk? Are a dog's sounds real words? Colorful, imaginative collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Can pet dog Ralph really talk? Are a dog's sounds real words? Colorful, imaginative collage illustrations.
Secret Tree Fort
written and illustrated by Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A younger sister whose sibling is engrossed in a book hopes to lure her to play by conjuring up an imaginative alternative. Charcoal pencil and ink, digitally colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Brianne Farley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A younger sister whose sibling is engrossed in a book hopes to lure her to play by conjuring up an imaginative alternative. Charcoal pencil and ink, digitally colored illustrations.
Shape Shift
by Joyce Hesselberth
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Name the shapes, combine them, and then use your imagination. Colorful mixed-media and digital illustrations.
by Joyce Hesselberth
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC - Name the shapes, combine them, and then use your imagination. Colorful mixed-media and digital illustrations.
Sharks and Dolphins (Compare and Contrast)
by Kevin Kurtz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How are dolphins and sharks the same and how do they differ? Simple text and glorious color photographs. Activities included.
by Kevin Kurtz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
How are dolphins and sharks the same and how do they differ? Simple text and glorious color photographs. Activities included.
Shy
written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a real bird trills by, a reticent book-loving giraffe struggles to make her acquaintance. Lyrical, colorful mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a real bird trills by, a reticent book-loving giraffe struggles to make her acquaintance. Lyrical, colorful mixed-media illustrations.
Spare Dog Parts
by Alison Hughes
Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl explains how her perfect pet was made from leftover, mismatched dog parts. A tribute to mixed-breed dogs with ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
by Alison Hughes
Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A girl explains how her perfect pet was made from leftover, mismatched dog parts. A tribute to mixed-breed dogs with ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
Steam Train, Dream Train
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colors and train car names celebrated in rhyme with pastels on dark paper make for dreamy but vibrant illustrations.
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Colors and train car names celebrated in rhyme with pastels on dark paper make for dreamy but vibrant illustrations.
Superhero Dad
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A young boy presents all the reasons why his dad is a superhero: his breakfasts, his strength, his laugh . . . Joyfully illustrated.
by Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Joe Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A young boy presents all the reasons why his dad is a superhero: his breakfasts, his strength, his laugh . . . Joyfully illustrated.
Super Jumbo
written and illustrated by Fred Koehler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Jumbo, a little elephant, wants to solve crimes. He's a super hero, isn't he? Humorous digital pen-and-ink drawings.
written and illustrated by Fred Koehler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Jumbo, a little elephant, wants to solve crimes. He's a super hero, isn't he? Humorous digital pen-and-ink drawings.
The Class
by Boni Ashburn
Illustrator: Kimberly Gee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Twenty children prepare for their first day of kindergarten, each in his or her own way. Whimsical pencil illustrations, digitally colored.
by Boni Ashburn
Illustrator: Kimberly Gee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Twenty children prepare for their first day of kindergarten, each in his or her own way. Whimsical pencil illustrations, digitally colored.
The Girl with the Parrot on Her Head
written and illustrated by Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
After Simon moves away, Isabel, who only has her parrot as a friend, is angry and scared, until she meets Chester. Colorful screen-printed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
After Simon moves away, Isabel, who only has her parrot as a friend, is angry and scared, until she meets Chester. Colorful screen-printed illustrations.
The Green Umbrella
by Jackie Azua Kramer
Illustrator: Maral Sassouni
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC During a walk in the rain, each animal that Elephant meets claims the umbrella is a different object. Full page, whimsicil illustrations.
by Jackie Azua Kramer
Illustrator: Maral Sassouni
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
ARC During a walk in the rain, each animal that Elephant meets claims the umbrella is a different object. Full page, whimsicil illustrations.
The Monster Next Door
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a monster moves into the treehouse across the way, he becomes friends with a boy until . . . Digitally assembled watercolor, charcoal, and colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
When a monster moves into the treehouse across the way, he becomes friends with a boy until . . . Digitally assembled watercolor, charcoal, and colored pencil illustrations.
The Moon's Almost Here
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A father and child bid goodnight to the farm animals and wait for the moon to rise. Muted acrylic illustrations.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A father and child bid goodnight to the farm animals and wait for the moon to rise. Muted acrylic illustrations.
The Mouse and the Moon
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A little mouse discovers that he is not all alone as he follows the full moon to meet his new friend. Illustrations reflect the changing mood.
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A little mouse discovers that he is not all alone as he follows the full moon to meet his new friend. Illustrations reflect the changing mood.
The Not So Quiet Library
written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A monster romps through a library and learns books are tasty morsels for reading--not eating--and things quiet down again. Bold acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A monster romps through a library and learns books are tasty morsels for reading--not eating--and things quiet down again. Bold acrylic illustrations.
There's a Bear on My Chair
written and illustrated by Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Big bear is unaware of what mouse feels about his chair...until roles are reversed. Humorous text and oversized illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ross Collins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Big bear is unaware of what mouse feels about his chair...until roles are reversed. Humorous text and oversized illustrations.
The Two Tims
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two Tims do everything together until Tom comes along. Simple words and humorous watercolors guide readers through challenges and pleasures of new and old friends.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Two Tims do everything together until Tom comes along. Simple words and humorous watercolors guide readers through challenges and pleasures of new and old friends.
The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon
written and illustrated by A. N. Kang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A cat is so light and airy that he needs a creative solution and a new friend to stop him from floating away. Understated, expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by A. N. Kang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A cat is so light and airy that he needs a creative solution and a new friend to stop him from floating away. Understated, expressive illustrations.
This Is Our Baby, Born Today
by Varsha Bajai
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
The world welcomes a baby - an elephant baby! All the creatures and nature rejoice. Illustrations are inviting, done with dip pens, India ink, and watercolors.
by Varsha Bajai
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
The world welcomes a baby - an elephant baby! All the creatures and nature rejoice. Illustrations are inviting, done with dip pens, India ink, and watercolors.
Thunder Boy Jr.
by Sherman Alexie
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Junior wants a name to celebrate something cool he has done, not just to be named after his dad. Rich mixed media illustrations.
by Sherman Alexie
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Junior wants a name to celebrate something cool he has done, not just to be named after his dad. Rich mixed media illustrations.
Toby
written and illustrated by Hazel Mitchell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A dog rescued from the shelter has trouble adjusting to his new home. Warm graphite and watercolor illustrations colored digitally.
written and illustrated by Hazel Mitchell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
A dog rescued from the shelter has trouble adjusting to his new home. Warm graphite and watercolor illustrations colored digitally.
We Sang You Home
by Richard Van Camp
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Parents celebrate the arrival of their child into the world. Folk-art style gouache and digital collage illustrations.
by Richard Van Camp
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2016
Parents celebrate the arrival of their child into the world. Folk-art style gouache and digital collage illustrations.