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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My Skeleton Family/Mi Familia Calaca
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Jesús Canseco Zárate
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple text in English and Spanish describes the skeletons of family members. Paper maché in Oaxacan folk art style.
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Jesús Canseco Zárate
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple text in English and Spanish describes the skeletons of family members. Paper maché in Oaxacan folk art style.
Night Light
written and illustrated by Nicholas Blechman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Where are all these lights coming from? Count them and then turn the page to find out what they are. Bold, color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Nicholas Blechman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Where are all these lights coming from? Count them and then turn the page to find out what they are. Bold, color illustrations.
Nightsong
by Ari Berk
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A small, brave bat taking his first solo flight will inspire any child trying something new for the first time. Acrylic and graphite illustrations.
by Ari Berk
Illustrator: Loren Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A small, brave bat taking his first solo flight will inspire any child trying something new for the first time. Acrylic and graphite illustrations.
Noisy Bug Sing-Along
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Every bug makes a distinct sound, and you can make those sounds too! Bright, bold colors.
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Every bug makes a distinct sound, and you can make those sounds too! Bright, bold colors.
Noisy Frog Sing Along
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
An introduction to a chorus of noisy frogs (and one silent salamander) is enhanced by activities and brightly colored illustrations. Website link included for audio samples of frogs' songs.
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
An introduction to a chorus of noisy frogs (and one silent salamander) is enhanced by activities and brightly colored illustrations. Website link included for audio samples of frogs' songs.
Now I'm Big!
written and illustrated by Karen Katz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple bright, bold watercolor and gouache illustrations show the contrast between being a baby and being a big kid.
written and illustrated by Karen Katz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple bright, bold watercolor and gouache illustrations show the contrast between being a baby and being a big kid.
Nurse Clementine
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Clementine Brown uses her new first-aid kit to bandage her parents and her dog, but her brother resists until he really needs her help. Amusing watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Clementine Brown uses her new first-aid kit to bandage her parents and her dog, but her brother resists until he really needs her help. Amusing watercolor and ink illustrations.
Oh! If Only
written and illustrated by Michael Foreman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A humorous chain of events ensues when a boy meets a dog and together they unleash havoc throughout London. Animated watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Michael Foreman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A humorous chain of events ensues when a boy meets a dog and together they unleash havoc throughout London. Animated watercolor illustrations.
Oliver and his Alligator
written and illustrated by Paul Schmid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Oliver is nervous but his “bravery” gets in the way of his first day of school. Humorous illustrations add to a touching tale.
written and illustrated by Paul Schmid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Oliver is nervous but his “bravery” gets in the way of his first day of school. Humorous illustrations add to a touching tale.
Ollie and Claire
by Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Ollie and Claire enjoy everything together. But will Claire's longing for adventure break their special bond? In up beat rhyming verse with humorous ink and watercolor drawings.
by Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Ollie and Claire enjoy everything together. But will Claire's longing for adventure break their special bond? In up beat rhyming verse with humorous ink and watercolor drawings.
Once Upon a Memory
by Nina Laden
Illustrator: Renata Liwska
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
In gentle verse, a curious child's questions connect objects to their origins using the concept of memory. Delicately colored pencil illustrations.
by Nina Laden
Illustrator: Renata Liwska
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
In gentle verse, a curious child's questions connect objects to their origins using the concept of memory. Delicately colored pencil illustrations.
Open Very Carefully
by Nick Bromley
Illustrator: Nicola OByrne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A hungry crocodile “invades” a copy of The Ugly Duckling and begins to gobble up the words. Getting rid of him is not easy. Colorful, humorous mixed-media illustrations.
by Nick Bromley
Illustrator: Nicola OByrne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A hungry crocodile “invades” a copy of The Ugly Duckling and begins to gobble up the words. Getting rid of him is not easy. Colorful, humorous mixed-media illustrations.
Over in a River, Flowing Out to the Sea
by Marianne Berkes
Illustrator: Jill Dubin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Ten United States rivers and the animals that inhabit them are described in the rhythm of the classic “Over the Meadow.” Soft collage illustrations.
by Marianne Berkes
Illustrator: Jill Dubin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Ten United States rivers and the animals that inhabit them are described in the rhythm of the classic “Over the Meadow.” Soft collage illustrations.
Patch
written and illustrated by David Slonim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young boy describes three amusing adventures with his beloved dog. Cheerful color illustrationms.
written and illustrated by David Slonim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young boy describes three amusing adventures with his beloved dog. Cheerful color illustrationms.
Peanut & Fifi Have a Ball
by Randall de Sève
Illustrator: Paul Schmid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Fifi cannot entice Peanut to share her special toy, but her imaginative ideas spark an extraordinary adventure for both siblings. Stylish retro illustrations in sherbet colors.
by Randall de Sève
Illustrator: Paul Schmid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Fifi cannot entice Peanut to share her special toy, but her imaginative ideas spark an extraordinary adventure for both siblings. Stylish retro illustrations in sherbet colors.
Peck, Peck, Peck
written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A woodpecker's daddy teaches him how to peck a tree. Humorous rhymes document this day along with cheerful gouache illustrations with cutouts.
written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A woodpecker's daddy teaches him how to peck a tree. Humorous rhymes document this day along with cheerful gouache illustrations with cutouts.
Peep and Ducky
by David Martin
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Two pre-schoolers have fun in the park, playing on the slide, in the sandbox, and enjoying snacks. A rollicking read aloud with energetic colorful art work.
by David Martin
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Two pre-schoolers have fun in the park, playing on the slide, in the sandbox, and enjoying snacks. A rollicking read aloud with energetic colorful art work.
Penguin on Vacation
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Colorful black-lined illustrations depict the joy of going somewhere new and making new friends.
written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Colorful black-lined illustrations depict the joy of going somewhere new and making new friends.
Please, Papa
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Little Alice learns the value of the word “please.” Detailed yet simple color illustrations.
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Little Alice learns the value of the word “please.” Detailed yet simple color illustrations.
Polar Bear Morning
by Lauren Thompson
Illustrator: Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Bold, energetic art help tell a simple tale of friendship between two polar bear cubs.
by Lauren Thompson
Illustrator: Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Bold, energetic art help tell a simple tale of friendship between two polar bear cubs.
Quick Duck!
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Duck waddles out, under, around, down, through, and over to catch up with mother and siblings. Bold, eye-catching ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Duck waddles out, under, around, down, through, and over to catch up with mother and siblings. Bold, eye-catching ink and watercolor illustrations.
Rabbit and the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf
by Michael Escoffier
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Humorous mixed media drawings capture this imaginative tale of a scared rabbit, which may inspire readers to draw their own creations.
by Michael Escoffier
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Humorous mixed media drawings capture this imaginative tale of a scared rabbit, which may inspire readers to draw their own creations.
Rain!
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A happy young boy changes a grumpy old man's mood on a rainy day. Gentle paint and collage illustrations.
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A happy young boy changes a grumpy old man's mood on a rainy day. Gentle paint and collage illustrations.
Rainbow Stew
written and illustrated by Cathryn Falwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The gray rainy day doesn't prevent the children from picking Grandpa's colorful vegetables--and cooking and eating them. Multimedia collage illustrations.
written and illustrated by Cathryn Falwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The gray rainy day doesn't prevent the children from picking Grandpa's colorful vegetables--and cooking and eating them. Multimedia collage illustrations.
Ready and Waiting for You
by Judi Moreillon
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Everyone in the school welcomes new students on the first day. Rhyming text and cheerful, brightly colored illustrations.
by Judi Moreillon
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Everyone in the school welcomes new students on the first day. Rhyming text and cheerful, brightly colored illustrations.