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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Bobbo Goes to School
written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Lily is having a “bad day.” She tosses her beloved stuffed toy up in the air and it lands on top of the school bus. Will she get it back? Colorful gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Lily is having a “bad day.” She tosses her beloved stuffed toy up in the air and it lands on top of the school bus. Will she get it back? Colorful gouache illustrations.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
by Jamie A. Swenson
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
During a thunderstorm, a brave boy tries to make room in his bed for all of his friends. Fun rhymes and gentle full-page paintings.
by Jamie A. Swenson
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
During a thunderstorm, a brave boy tries to make room in his bed for all of his friends. Fun rhymes and gentle full-page paintings.
Bully
written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A little bull, who has been bullied, finds out that he is also acting like a bully. Can he change? Bold, expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A little bull, who has been bullied, finds out that he is also acting like a bully. Can he change? Bold, expressive illustrations.
Busy-Busy Little Chick
by Janice N. Harrington
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Little Chick's work ethic rivals Little Red Hen's. While his family feasts, he makes them a new home. Dynamic brushwork.
by Janice N. Harrington
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Little Chick's work ethic rivals Little Red Hen's. While his family feasts, he makes them a new home. Dynamic brushwork.
Bye-Bye Baby Brother!
written and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Sometimes it's hard to wait for time with Mom, especially with a baby sibling. Gentle illustrations reveal the frustrations and the joy.
written and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Sometimes it's hard to wait for time with Mom, especially with a baby sibling. Gentle illustrations reveal the frustrations and the joy.
Catty Jane Who Loved to Dance
written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Although she is a wonderful ballet student, Catty isn't a good friend to Froggy when she rejects his vaults and somersaults. Large, expressive multimedia illustrations.
written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Although she is a wonderful ballet student, Catty isn't a good friend to Froggy when she rejects his vaults and somersaults. Large, expressive multimedia illustrations.
Cheer Up, Mouse!
written and illustrated by Jed Henry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Beautiful watercolors depict mouse's concerned friends who go to great lengths to make him smile.
written and illustrated by Jed Henry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Beautiful watercolors depict mouse's concerned friends who go to great lengths to make him smile.
Colors for Zena
written and illustrated by Monica Wellington
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Zena takes a walk and sees many colors. She loves them all and finds that mixing some of them creates more colors. Bright, simple illustrations match the text.
written and illustrated by Monica Wellington
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Zena takes a walk and sees many colors. She loves them all and finds that mixing some of them creates more colors. Bright, simple illustrations match the text.
Construction Kitties
by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges
Illustrator: Shari Halpern
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Construction kitties are hard at work with their loaders, excavators, dump trucks, and back hoes building a playground. Simple brightly colored gouache illustrations.
by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges
Illustrator: Shari Halpern
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Construction kitties are hard at work with their loaders, excavators, dump trucks, and back hoes building a playground. Simple brightly colored gouache illustrations.
Cub's Big World
by Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
There's an exciting world beyond the comfort of home -- but is it too big and is mom too far away to keep cub safe? Dynamic oil and acrylic illustrations.
by Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
There's an exciting world beyond the comfort of home -- but is it too big and is mom too far away to keep cub safe? Dynamic oil and acrylic illustrations.
Daisy Gets Lost
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When Daisy chases a squirrel deep into the woods, she doesn't know how to get home. Will the dog and her distraught owner reunite? Watercolor illustrations in this almost wordless book.
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When Daisy chases a squirrel deep into the woods, she doesn't know how to get home. Will the dog and her distraught owner reunite? Watercolor illustrations in this almost wordless book.
Dee Dee and Me
written and illustrated by Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Will Hannah be able to find herself or will she remain dominated by her big sister's bossy personality? Expression-filled gouache, pen and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Will Hannah be able to find herself or will she remain dominated by her big sister's bossy personality? Expression-filled gouache, pen and ink illustrations.
Digger, Dozer, Dumper
by Hope Vestergaard
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The character and use of construction vehicles are depicted in lively poetry. Energetic acrylic and charcoal illustrations illuminate their distinct personalities.
by Hope Vestergaard
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The character and use of construction vehicles are depicted in lively poetry. Energetic acrylic and charcoal illustrations illuminate their distinct personalities.
Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom!
by Joan Holub
Illustrator: David Gordon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Mighty trucks and sight words in rhyme capture the joy of building in a playground. Watercolors splashed with color.
by Joan Holub
Illustrator: David Gordon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Mighty trucks and sight words in rhyme capture the joy of building in a playground. Watercolors splashed with color.
Dinosaur Rescue!
written and illustrated by Penny Dale
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
What happens when dinosaurs are involved in a transportation emergency? Delightful, action-packed solution. Bold colorful watercolor and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Penny Dale
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
What happens when dinosaurs are involved in a transportation emergency? Delightful, action-packed solution. Bold colorful watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Dog Loves Counting
written and illustrated by Louise Yates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Dog could not fall asleep until he started counting with his creature friends. Soft watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Louise Yates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Dog could not fall asleep until he started counting with his creature friends. Soft watercolor illustrations.
Don't Eat the Baby
written and illustrated by Amy Young
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Tom's new baby brother is “cute enough to eat,” but that is exactly what he's afraid of. Colorful acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Amy Young
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Tom's new baby brother is “cute enough to eat,” but that is exactly what he's afraid of. Colorful acrylic illustrations.
Don't Sneeze at the Wedding
by Pamela Mayer
Illustrator: Martha Aviles
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Will the little flower girl spoil Aunt Rachel's wedding by sneezing At the wrong time? Appealing colorful illustrations. Rituals of a Jewish wedding are provided in an afterward.
by Pamela Mayer
Illustrator: Martha Aviles
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Will the little flower girl spoil Aunt Rachel's wedding by sneezing At the wrong time? Appealing colorful illustrations. Rituals of a Jewish wedding are provided in an afterward.
Don't Spill the Milk!
by Stephen Davies
Illustrator: Christopher Corr
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Can Penda get all the way from her African village to the grasslands and succeed on her important errand? Colorful, vibrant gouache illustrations.
by Stephen Davies
Illustrator: Christopher Corr
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Can Penda get all the way from her African village to the grasslands and succeed on her important errand? Colorful, vibrant gouache illustrations.
Doug Unplugged
written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Follow the explorations of a small robot who goes out to see the world. Brush and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Follow the explorations of a small robot who goes out to see the world. Brush and ink illustrations.
Eat Like a Bear
by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Poetic text and colorful cut- and torn-paper collages portray the activities of a brown bear from the time she emerges from hibernation until it is time to settle in again.
by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Poetic text and colorful cut- and torn-paper collages portray the activities of a brown bear from the time she emerges from hibernation until it is time to settle in again.
Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A father and daughter choose a bike, try training wheels, then risk a few spills. Ink and watercolor illustrations chart the process.
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A father and daughter choose a bike, try training wheels, then risk a few spills. Ink and watercolor illustrations chart the process.
Flora and the Flamingo
written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Chubby Flora and a tall flamaingo - unlikely dance partners - glide, sway, and splash together in this wordless book. Pencil and soft, spare watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Chubby Flora and a tall flamaingo - unlikely dance partners - glide, sway, and splash together in this wordless book. Pencil and soft, spare watercolor illustrations.
Gobble You Up!
by Gita Wolf
Illustrator: Suna
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A wily jackal gobbles up any animal that approaches him until he bursts. Does he learn his lesson? Silk-screen images on Kraft paper.
by Gita Wolf
Illustrator: Suna
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A wily jackal gobbles up any animal that approaches him until he bursts. Does he learn his lesson? Silk-screen images on Kraft paper.
Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?
by Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Duck looks everywhere for his new blue socks. Can his friends help him find them? Simple rhyming text with expressive pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Duck looks everywhere for his new blue socks. Can his friends help him find them? Simple rhyming text with expressive pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.