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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Hello, Mama Wallaroo
by Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Patricia J. Wynne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Interesting facts about a kind of kangaroo are revealed in a question-answer format. Detailed watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations.
by Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Patricia J. Wynne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Interesting facts about a kind of kangaroo are revealed in a question-answer format. Detailed watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations.
Hello, My Name Is Ruby
written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A small bird encounters many different kinds of birds on her search for friends. Colorful ink and watercolor illustrations enhance the spare text.
written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A small bird encounters many different kinds of birds on her search for friends. Colorful ink and watercolor illustrations enhance the spare text.
How Far Do You Love Me?
written and illustrated by Lulu Delacre
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Family, love, and the natural world are rendered in soft pastels.
written and illustrated by Lulu Delacre
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Family, love, and the natural world are rendered in soft pastels.
How to Bicycle to the Moon to Plant Sunflowers
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Can you really bicycle to the moon? Follow this whimsical step-by-step manual, complete with humorous ink and watercolor illustrations, for an imaginative ride into space.
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Can you really bicycle to the moon? Follow this whimsical step-by-step manual, complete with humorous ink and watercolor illustrations, for an imaginative ride into space.
How to Hide a Lion
written and illustrated by Helen Stephens
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Iris has trouble hiding her large new found friend, who frightens the townspeople. Colorful illustrations add humor and warmth.
written and illustrated by Helen Stephens
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Iris has trouble hiding her large new found friend, who frightens the townspeople. Colorful illustrations add humor and warmth.
If You Want to See a Whale
by Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
If you want to see a whale, you must wait patiently and try not to get distracted by other beautiful things. Elegant, linoleum print illustrations.
by Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
If you want to see a whale, you must wait patiently and try not to get distracted by other beautiful things. Elegant, linoleum print illustrations.
If you Were a Panda Bear
by Florence Minor
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple rhymes and bold gouache illustrations present eight different kinds of bears.
by Florence Minor
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple rhymes and bold gouache illustrations present eight different kinds of bears.
I Love You, Nose! I Love You, Toes!
written and illustrated by Linda Davick
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A rollicking, rhyming celebration of body parts brought to life with bright, multicultural illustrations.
written and illustrated by Linda Davick
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A rollicking, rhyming celebration of body parts brought to life with bright, multicultural illustrations.
I Spy on the Farm
written and illustrated by Edward Gibbs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Look through the spy holes to guess the identity of some noisy animals. Vivid digitally created illustrations.
written and illustrated by Edward Gibbs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Look through the spy holes to guess the identity of some noisy animals. Vivid digitally created illustrations.
Katie and the Puppy Next Door
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When a visitor plays with her toys and eats her food, Katie discovers that sharing is very hard. Energetic pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When a visitor plays with her toys and eats her food, Katie discovers that sharing is very hard. Energetic pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Little Dinos, Don't Push
by Michael Dahl
Illustrator: Adam Record
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Dino learns what to push and when not to push. Bright, bold, and simple illustrations.
by Michael Dahl
Illustrator: Adam Record
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Dino learns what to push and when not to push. Bright, bold, and simple illustrations.
Little Naomi, Little Chick
by Avirama Golan
Illustrator: Raaya Karas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Compare how a pre-schooler and a chick spend their action-packed day! Rhythmic repetitive text with humorous energetic crayon-pencil illustrations.
by Avirama Golan
Illustrator: Raaya Karas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Compare how a pre-schooler and a chick spend their action-packed day! Rhythmic repetitive text with humorous energetic crayon-pencil illustrations.
Lost Cat
written and illustrated by C. Roger Mader
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Slipper's long journey to find a new family after she is lost is an immensely satisfying story. Shimmering pastel on paper illustrations.
written and illustrated by C. Roger Mader
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Slipper's long journey to find a new family after she is lost is an immensely satisfying story. Shimmering pastel on paper illustrations.
Loula is Leaving for Africa
written and illustrated by Anne Villeneuve
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Loula decides to leave her super-annoying brothers behind and sets out on a surprising adventure. Expressive, gentle, ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anne Villeneuve
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Loula decides to leave her super-annoying brothers behind and sets out on a surprising adventure. Expressive, gentle, ink and watercolor illustrations.
Lucky Ducklings
by Eva Moore
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Out for a walk in town, Mama Duck takes her babies across a storm drain with wide openings. Large, multimedia illustrations chronicle the dramatic rescue.
by Eva Moore
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Out for a walk in town, Mama Duck takes her babies across a storm drain with wide openings. Large, multimedia illustrations chronicle the dramatic rescue.
Lullaby (For a Black Mother)
by Langston Hughes
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A mother enfolds her baby in a song of the night and the stars. Acrylic, pencil, and collage illustrations in gentle nighttime colors.
by Langston Hughes
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A mother enfolds her baby in a song of the night and the stars. Acrylic, pencil, and collage illustrations in gentle nighttime colors.
Maisy's First Numbers
written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Join Maisy as she counts to five with her friends. Playful language complements the colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Join Maisy as she counts to five with her friends. Playful language complements the colorful illustrations.
Max and the Tag-Along Moon
written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
After looking at the moon with his grandfather, Max worries when the moon disappears. Dreamlike, full page illustrations.
written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
After looking at the moon with his grandfather, Max worries when the moon disappears. Dreamlike, full page illustrations.
Me First!
by Michael Escoffier
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young duck always wants to be first...until he gets an unwelcome surprise. Translated from the French. Humorous illustrations in muted colors.
by Michael Escoffier
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young duck always wants to be first...until he gets an unwelcome surprise. Translated from the French. Humorous illustrations in muted colors.
Me Too!
written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Captivating watercolor and ink drawings accompany this gentle tale of Bear and Chipmunk's snowy day adventures.
written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Captivating watercolor and ink drawings accompany this gentle tale of Bear and Chipmunk's snowy day adventures.
Missing Mommy
written and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The barest of pastel drawings convey the emotional range of a young child processing his mother's death.
written and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The barest of pastel drawings convey the emotional range of a young child processing his mother's death.
Momo and Snap Are Not Friends
written and illustrated by Airlie Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Can a gentle monkey and a fierce alligator ever be friends? Playful action and imaginative sounds answer this question with surprising results. Colorful, comic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Airlie Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Can a gentle monkey and a fierce alligator ever be friends? Playful action and imaginative sounds answer this question with surprising results. Colorful, comic illustrations.
My Blue Is Happy
by Jessica Young
Illustrator: Catia Chien
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
This book tells what colors may mean to different people. Full page color acrylic illustrations.
by Jessica Young
Illustrator: Catia Chien
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
This book tells what colors may mean to different people. Full page color acrylic illustrations.
My First Day
by Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
From the Emperor Penguin to Darwin's Frog, each of the twenty-one species described here adapt differently on their birth day. Vivid cut paper illustrations.
by Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
From the Emperor Penguin to Darwin's Frog, each of the twenty-one species described here adapt differently on their birth day. Vivid cut paper illustrations.
My Mother Goose
edited and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Appealing classic nursery rhymes and songs organized into themes such as “going places, colors, and shapes.” Lush, detailed illustrations.
edited and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Appealing classic nursery rhymes and songs organized into themes such as “going places, colors, and shapes.” Lush, detailed illustrations.