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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Where's Walrus? and Penguin?
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Disguised, Walrus and Penguin escape and stay ahead of the zookeeper until an accident leads to a happy surprise. Wordless, with digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Disguised, Walrus and Penguin escape and stay ahead of the zookeeper until an accident leads to a happy surprise. Wordless, with digital illustrations.
Wild About Us!
by Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Lively, dramatic watercolor and colored pencil drawings celebrate the differences among animals and (by implication) humans.
by Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Lively, dramatic watercolor and colored pencil drawings celebrate the differences among animals and (by implication) humans.
Wish
written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An elephant couple's wish for a baby eventually comes true. Bamboo pen, India ink, and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An elephant couple's wish for a baby eventually comes true. Bamboo pen, India ink, and watercolor illustrations.
Wolfie the Bunny
by Ame Dyckman
Illustrator: Zachariah OHora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When bunny family takes in a baby wolf, sister Dot fears the worst. Acrylics on Stonehenge paper.
by Ame Dyckman
Illustrator: Zachariah OHora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When bunny family takes in a baby wolf, sister Dot fears the worst. Acrylics on Stonehenge paper.
Written and Drawn by Henrietta
written and illustrated by Liniers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Henrietta uses her colored pencils to create a story and expand her imagination. Graphic layout and child-like drawings.
written and illustrated by Liniers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Henrietta uses her colored pencils to create a story and expand her imagination. Graphic layout and child-like drawings.
Yard Sale
by Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Callie's parents must sell everything before they move to a smaller house. Will they sell Callie along with her favorite things? Ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Callie's parents must sell everything before they move to a smaller house. Will they sell Callie along with her favorite things? Ink and watercolor illustrations.
You Nest Here With Me
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Owls, wrens, and other birds as well as children nest every night with family. A bedtime story in verse with accurate watercolor, ink, and gouache illustrations.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Owls, wrens, and other birds as well as children nest every night with family. A bedtime story in verse with accurate watercolor, ink, and gouache illustrations.
A Letter for Leo
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
As Leo, a weasel, delivers the mail, he finds a new friend. Will the little bird fulfill Leo's hope for a letter of his own? Pen-and-ink and gentle watercolors.
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
As Leo, a weasel, delivers the mail, he finds a new friend. Will the little bird fulfill Leo's hope for a letter of his own? Pen-and-ink and gentle watercolors.
A Library Book For Bear
by Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Bear is sure that he has all the books he needs until Mouse insists on a trip to the library. Expressive watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Bear is sure that he has all the books he needs until Mouse insists on a trip to the library. Expressive watercolor and gouache illustrations.
All Fall Down
by Mary Brigid Barrett
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Diverse groups of joyful children have fun exploring textures of everyday objects and building smashable structures. Lively gouache, watercolor and ink pictures.
by Mary Brigid Barrett
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Diverse groups of joyful children have fun exploring textures of everyday objects and building smashable structures. Lively gouache, watercolor and ink pictures.
Alone Together
written and illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Bear wants some time alone. Goose and Fox approve. Will Bear get what he wants? Spare text and glorious pastels.
written and illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Bear wants some time alone. Goose and Fox approve. Will Bear get what he wants? Spare text and glorious pastels.
A Pet for Fly Guy
written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Can Fly Guy and Buzz find the perfect pet for Fly Guy? Bold, colorful, digitally created illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Can Fly Guy and Buzz find the perfect pet for Fly Guy? Bold, colorful, digitally created illustrations.
Baby Animal Farm
written and illustrated by Karen Blair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Five very cute toddlers follow animals and hear their sounds. Simple watercolors.
written and illustrated by Karen Blair
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Five very cute toddlers follow animals and hear their sounds. Simple watercolors.
Backseat A-B-See
written and illustrated by Maria van Lieshout
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
An alphabet book for children who travel the highways and biways. Digital renderings of common road signs.
written and illustrated by Maria van Lieshout
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
An alphabet book for children who travel the highways and biways. Digital renderings of common road signs.
Bears in the Bath
by Shirley Parenteau
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Will Big Brown Bear outsmart four resistant grimy bears when luring them into the bathtub? Rhyming text with vivid action verbs. Soft, animated, acrylic illustrations.
by Shirley Parenteau
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Will Big Brown Bear outsmart four resistant grimy bears when luring them into the bathtub? Rhyming text with vivid action verbs. Soft, animated, acrylic illustrations.
Big Rig
by Jamie A. Swenson
Illustrator: Ned Young
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Frankie, the semitruck, invites the reader to come with him and learn how he works. Bright, colorful illustrations.
by Jamie A. Swenson
Illustrator: Ned Young
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Frankie, the semitruck, invites the reader to come with him and learn how he works. Bright, colorful illustrations.
Build, Dogs, Build
written and illustrated by James Horvath
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Lively and humorous text and pictures detail the work of construction dogs as they demolish an old building and raise a skyscraper.
written and illustrated by James Horvath
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Lively and humorous text and pictures detail the work of construction dogs as they demolish an old building and raise a skyscraper.
By Day, By Night
by Amy Gibson
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Wander through the day with the world's children as they perform every day routines. Lively pencil and watercolor vignettes. Benefit for the Global Orphan Project.
by Amy Gibson
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Wander through the day with the world's children as they perform every day routines. Lively pencil and watercolor vignettes. Benefit for the Global Orphan Project.
Can You See Me?
written and illustrated by Ted Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Animals are hard to spot in the Costa Rican rain forest, but one creature stands out--a red poison dart frog. Beautifully illustrated in shimmering pencil and watercolor.
written and illustrated by Ted Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Animals are hard to spot in the Costa Rican rain forest, but one creature stands out--a red poison dart frog. Beautifully illustrated in shimmering pencil and watercolor.
Cat & Dog
written and illustrated by Michael Foreman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
When a stray cat gets separated from her kittens, a stray dog cares for them until she returns. Nuanced with lyrical illustrations.
written and illustrated by Michael Foreman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
When a stray cat gets separated from her kittens, a stray dog cares for them until she returns. Nuanced with lyrical illustrations.
Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep
written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A young panda has difficulty sleeping. Simple rhythmic text with charcoal illustrations. An engaging read-aloud.
written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A young panda has difficulty sleeping. Simple rhythmic text with charcoal illustrations. An engaging read-aloud.
Chu's First Day of School
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A nervous panda faces the first day of school hoping to be liked. Oil and mixed-media illustrations.
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A nervous panda faces the first day of school hoping to be liked. Oil and mixed-media illustrations.
Colors
written and illustrated by Sophie Pelham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Counting, tracing, and other activities make identifying colors and shapes interesting. Bold, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sophie Pelham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Counting, tracing, and other activities make identifying colors and shapes interesting. Bold, colorful illustrations.
Colors versus Shapes
written and illustrated by Mike Boldt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
At a contest to determine which is better, a surprising thing happens. Bold, colorful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Boldt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
At a contest to determine which is better, a surprising thing happens. Bold, colorful digital illustrations.
Construction
by Sally Sutton
Illustrator: Brian Lovelock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A rhythmic text and colorful ink illustrations depict the construction of a new library.
by Sally Sutton
Illustrator: Brian Lovelock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A rhythmic text and colorful ink illustrations depict the construction of a new library.