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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I Love Snow!
by Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Purple Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
New snow is fun to play in but sometimes too much or melting snow just isn't fun anymore. Colorful wintry illustrations.
by Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Purple Wong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
New snow is fun to play in but sometimes too much or melting snow just isn't fun anymore. Colorful wintry illustrations.
I'm Cool!
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Jim McMullan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The snow-eating, slush-slurping, triple-tank Zamboni machine refuses to rush its work to resurface the ice for the hockey game. Large-scale, brightly colored watercolor and gouache illustrations.
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Jim McMullan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The snow-eating, slush-slurping, triple-tank Zamboni machine refuses to rush its work to resurface the ice for the hockey game. Large-scale, brightly colored watercolor and gouache illustrations.
In, Over and On! (The Farm)
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Farm animals delightfully illustrate concepts such as in/out, over/under, and on/off. Humorous digitally-colored illustrations with flaps to lift.
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Farm animals delightfully illustrate concepts such as in/out, over/under, and on/off. Humorous digitally-colored illustrations with flaps to lift.
In the Canyon
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A girl and her family hike the long, hot, magnificent trail to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Rhymed text and linoleum block illustrations.
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A girl and her family hike the long, hot, magnificent trail to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Rhymed text and linoleum block illustrations.
Is Mommy?
by Victoria Chang
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Is Mommy mean or nice? Playful reactions to questions challenge her perfection. Will love win out? Humorous, colorful tempera on Manila paper.
by Victoria Chang
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Is Mommy mean or nice? Playful reactions to questions challenge her perfection. Will love win out? Humorous, colorful tempera on Manila paper.
It's Raining Bats & Frogs
by Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Steven Henry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can the Halloween Parade be saved despite young Delia's imperfect incantations? Humorous watercolors and catchy spells.
by Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Steven Henry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Can the Halloween Parade be saved despite young Delia's imperfect incantations? Humorous watercolors and catchy spells.
I Used to Be Afraid
written and illustrated by Laura Vacarro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What seems scary at first can become magical! Simple collage and bright acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Laura Vacarro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
What seems scary at first can become magical! Simple collage and bright acrylic illustrations.
Last Stop on Market Street
by Matt de la Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A grandmother gently guides her complaining grandson to see the beauty in his environment of urban poverty. Bright bold illustrations.
by Matt de la Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A grandmother gently guides her complaining grandson to see the beauty in his environment of urban poverty. Bright bold illustrations.
Leo, a ghost story
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Not every question is answered about what is real or imagined, but important things like friendship do not go unseen. Mood blue illustrations.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Not every question is answered about what is real or imagined, but important things like friendship do not go unseen. Mood blue illustrations.
Little Miss, Big Sis
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Engaging line drawings match the simple rhymed text of a sister's developing love for her newborn sibling.
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Engaging line drawings match the simple rhymed text of a sister's developing love for her newborn sibling.
Little Tree
written and illustrated by Loren Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
F&G A young tree struggles with the cycles of life. What would he be without his leaves? Sumptuous acrylic, ink, and pencil illustrations
written and illustrated by Loren Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
F&G A young tree struggles with the cycles of life. What would he be without his leaves? Sumptuous acrylic, ink, and pencil illustrations
Lost. Found.
by Marsha Diane Arnold
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When bear loses his red scarf, it is found, played with and lost by various forest animals, until it falls apart. Can they remake it? Humorous watercolors.
by Marsha Diane Arnold
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When bear loses his red scarf, it is found, played with and lost by various forest animals, until it falls apart. Can they remake it? Humorous watercolors.
Maple & Willow Apart
written and illustrated by Lori Nichols
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When big sister Maple goes to big-girl school, Willow is lonely and a bit jealous. Then she “makes” a new friend. Gentle, digitally colored pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lori Nichols
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When big sister Maple goes to big-girl school, Willow is lonely and a bit jealous. Then she “makes” a new friend. Gentle, digitally colored pencil illustrations.
Max and Marla
written and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his pet owl make true Olympian efforts to go sledding and finally succeed--sort of. Delicate watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his pet owl make true Olympian efforts to go sledding and finally succeed--sort of. Delicate watercolor illustrations.
Monty's Magnificent Mane
written and illustrated by Gemma O'Neill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Monty is obsessed with his magnificent mane until he is pushed to realize that other things may be more important. Innovative mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gemma O'Neill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Monty is obsessed with his magnificent mane until he is pushed to realize that other things may be more important. Innovative mixed-media illustrations.
Mr. Postmouse's Rounds
written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Following Mr. Postmouse on his route allows a unique peek into different animals' distinctive homes. Extraordinary, colorful detailed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Following Mr. Postmouse on his route allows a unique peek into different animals' distinctive homes. Extraordinary, colorful detailed illustrations.
Music Class Today!
by David Weinstone
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Preschoolers sing, dance, and play instruments in a rhyming, join-in-the-fun (or sit-on-the-side) adventure. Digitally colored children abound.
by David Weinstone
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Preschoolers sing, dance, and play instruments in a rhyming, join-in-the-fun (or sit-on-the-side) adventure. Digitally colored children abound.
My Bike
written and illustrated by Byron Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy on his bike rides past many objects, animals, and people. Bright digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Byron Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy on his bike rides past many objects, animals, and people. Bright digital illustrations.
My Village
collected by Danielle Wright
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Traditional poems from fifty countries are illustrated with colorful collages.
collected by Danielle Wright
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Traditional poems from fifty countries are illustrated with colorful collages.
Night Animals
written and illustrated by Gianna Marino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Possum, a nighttime animal. is so afraid of the dark that soon his other nocturnal friends also begin to fear it. Spooky gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Gianna Marino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Possum, a nighttime animal. is so afraid of the dark that soon his other nocturnal friends also begin to fear it. Spooky gouache illustrations.
Nobody's Perfect
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Sam Zuppardi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The concept behind the statement “nobody's perfect” is explored from a young boy's point of view. Childlike mixed media illustrations add integrity.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Sam Zuppardi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
The concept behind the statement “nobody's perfect” is explored from a young boy's point of view. Childlike mixed media illustrations add integrity.
No, Silly!
written and illustrated by Ken Krug
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Do we sleep on cookies, books, or read trucks? Or would that be silly? Helpful, bright, colorful oil paintings.
written and illustrated by Ken Krug
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Do we sleep on cookies, books, or read trucks? Or would that be silly? Helpful, bright, colorful oil paintings.
On the Ball
written and illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his soccer ball share spirited, imaginative adventures and then return to the game. Delightfully illustrated with energetic swirls of color.
written and illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
A boy and his soccer ball share spirited, imaginative adventures and then return to the game. Delightfully illustrated with energetic swirls of color.
Owl Boy
written and illustrated by Brian Schatell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Al likes owls. He likes what they do and how they live, and he'd like to be one until . . . .Told with humor and exaggerated watercolor and marker illustrations.
written and illustrated by Brian Schatell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
Al likes owls. He likes what they do and how they live, and he'd like to be one until . . . .Told with humor and exaggerated watercolor and marker illustrations.
Pig Is Big on Books
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When pink pig can't find something to read, he creates something. Appealing full-page acrylic art.
written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2015
When pink pig can't find something to read, he creates something. Appealing full-page acrylic art.