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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Dad's First Day
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A twist on the first day of school jitters as Oliver's dad has a hard time letting go. Humorous gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A twist on the first day of school jitters as Oliver's dad has a hard time letting go. Humorous gouache illustrations.
Eric Carle's How Things Grow
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What happened to the very hungry caterpillar? Lift the flap to learn how animals and plants change and grow. Brightly illustrated.
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What happened to the very hungry caterpillar? Lift the flap to learn how animals and plants change and grow. Brightly illustrated.
Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred)
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Wide-awake Fred annoys any number of creatures who want to sleep. Rhyming text and watercolor and pen-and-ink drawings.
written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Wide-awake Fred annoys any number of creatures who want to sleep. Rhyming text and watercolor and pen-and-ink drawings.
Feet Go to Sleep
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Maggie Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
After an exciting day at the beach, Fiona slowly relaxes one body part at a time, recalling the day's activities. Colorful mixed media illustrations.
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Maggie Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
After an exciting day at the beach, Fiona slowly relaxes one body part at a time, recalling the day's activities. Colorful mixed media illustrations.
Fetch
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A dog, a beach, a red ball, and lots of water create the fun. One well chosen word tells the story in each soft color spread.
written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A dog, a beach, a red ball, and lots of water create the fun. One well chosen word tells the story in each soft color spread.
Finders Keepers
written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A “found” hat, taking on different properties depending on the finder, makes its way back to its original owner. Large colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A “found” hat, taking on different properties depending on the finder, makes its way back to its original owner. Large colored pencil illustrations.
Finding Spring
written and illustrated by Carin Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What does spring mean to a little bear whose family sleeps through the winter? Photographed collages and mixed media in earthy colors.
written and illustrated by Carin Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What does spring mean to a little bear whose family sleeps through the winter? Photographed collages and mixed media in earthy colors.
Fire Engine No. 9
written and illustrated by Mike Austin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Readers experience fighting a fire with a fire engine crew. Sound and action words and graphic illustrations tell this dynamic story. Includes fire safety tips.
written and illustrated by Mike Austin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Readers experience fighting a fire with a fire engine crew. Sound and action words and graphic illustrations tell this dynamic story. Includes fire safety tips.
Fly!
written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A young bug (a fly) tries to find his talent with the support of his insect garden friends. Simple and action-oriented artwork.
written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A young bug (a fly) tries to find his talent with the support of his insect garden friends. Simple and action-oriented artwork.
Fright Club
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can the local “cute critters” be scary enough to join the regular monsters on Halloween? Graphite and digitally colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can the local “cute critters” be scary enough to join the regular monsters on Halloween? Graphite and digitally colored illustrations.
Gemma & Gus
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations.
Good Night, Firefly
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Nina wants the light of a trapped firefly to make her feel safe until she realizes what the firefly needs. Stunning black-and-white illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Nina wants the light of a trapped firefly to make her feel safe until she realizes what the firefly needs. Stunning black-and-white illustrations.
Goodnight, Good Dog
by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Rebecca Malone
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The house is asleep, the children are asleep, but little dog is wide awake. What's a dog to do? Illustrated with soft, childlike acrylic drawings.
by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Rebecca Malone
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The house is asleep, the children are asleep, but little dog is wide awake. What's a dog to do? Illustrated with soft, childlike acrylic drawings.
Gus Explores his World
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations. [List with Gemma and Gus - single blurb]
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The curiosity of friendly goslings leads them to explore and enjoy their environment. Simple pen-and-ink illustrations. [List with Gemma and Gus - single blurb]
Happy in Our Skin
by Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Rhymes celebrate the uniqueness of our skin color and how perfect it is. Detailed pen-and-ink digitally assembled illustrations depict diverse families.
by Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Rhymes celebrate the uniqueness of our skin color and how perfect it is. Detailed pen-and-ink digitally assembled illustrations depict diverse families.
Have You Seen My Monster?
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can you spot a girl's furry monster as she searches for him at a county fair? Black pen-and-ink illustrations with splashes of color.
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can you spot a girl's furry monster as she searches for him at a county fair? Black pen-and-ink illustrations with splashes of color.
Here in the Garden
written and illustrated by Briony Stewart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A child misses his friend and remembers all the things they did together and how much fun it was. Gentle, soft illustrations.
written and illustrated by Briony Stewart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A child misses his friend and remembers all the things they did together and how much fun it was. Gentle, soft illustrations.
Hi!
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A variety of animals greet each other, concluding with a child saying “Hi!” and his mother saying “Good-bye” to the reader. Bright, simple digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A variety of animals greet each other, concluding with a child saying “Hi!” and his mother saying “Good-bye” to the reader. Bright, simple digital illustrations.
Hide and Seek Harry
written and illustrated by Kenny Harrison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Harry the hippo loves to play hide and seek, but he's too big. Still, there's fun to be had! Bright, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kenny Harrison
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Harry the hippo loves to play hide and seek, but he's too big. Still, there's fun to be had! Bright, colorful illustrations.
Hoot! Hoot!
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Behind the sturdy flaps are a host of night time animals to spot, name, and mimic. Rich tempura illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Behind the sturdy flaps are a host of night time animals to spot, name, and mimic. Rich tempura illustrations.
Hoot Owl
by Sean Taylor
Illustrator: Jean Jullien
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A hungry owl is on the prowl and his wide eyes feign innocence, show determination, and register surprise. Inventive disguises are humorously illustrated.
by Sean Taylor
Illustrator: Jean Jullien
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A hungry owl is on the prowl and his wide eyes feign innocence, show determination, and register surprise. Inventive disguises are humorously illustrated.
Hop! Hop!
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An excited toddler prepares for Easter by painting eggs, making bunny ears, and generally enjoying the holiday. Boldy outlined and colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An excited toddler prepares for Easter by painting eggs, making bunny ears, and generally enjoying the holiday. Boldy outlined and colorful illustrations.
How the Sun Got to Coco's House
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A girl sleeps while the sun follows the dawns throughout the world traveling to spend the day with her. Lyrical text and soft watercolors.
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A girl sleeps while the sun follows the dawns throughout the world traveling to spend the day with her. Lyrical text and soft watercolors.
How to Catch a Mouse
written and illustrated by Philippa Leathers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An overly confident cat soon realizes how best to catch a mouse. Humorous watercolors add details.
written and illustrated by Philippa Leathers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
An overly confident cat soon realizes how best to catch a mouse. Humorous watercolors add details.
Hurry Home, Hedgehog!
written and illustrated by Belle Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Hedgehog races to get home before a storm which provides many opportunities for onomatopoeia: Crack! Barroom! Chinese characters appear alongside English translation. Simple gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Belle Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Hedgehog races to get home before a storm which provides many opportunities for onomatopoeia: Crack! Barroom! Chinese characters appear alongside English translation. Simple gouache illustrations.