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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Stanley the Builder
written and illustrated by Williambee (William Bee)
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Watch as Stanley, the hamster, helps his driver friends and builds a house for Myrtle. Bold, colorful digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Williambee (William Bee)
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Watch as Stanley, the hamster, helps his driver friends and builds a house for Myrtle. Bold, colorful digital illustrations.
Swamp Chomp
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Vibrant, detailed double-page spread illustrations with simple action-verb text introduce young readers to the life and food chain of a swamp. Endnotes.
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Vibrant, detailed double-page spread illustrations with simple action-verb text introduce young readers to the life and food chain of a swamp. Endnotes.
Swim, Duck, Swim
by Susan Lurie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Little duckling is afraid to swim, but encouraged by his parents and others, he works up the courage to jump into the water. Bold, color photographs.
by Susan Lurie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Little duckling is afraid to swim, but encouraged by his parents and others, he works up the courage to jump into the water. Bold, color photographs.
Tap Tap Boom Boom
by Elizabeth Bluemle
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Words that evoke the sounds of rain and thunder capture the excitement of a rainstorm in the city. Evocative collage, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
by Elizabeth Bluemle
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Words that evoke the sounds of rain and thunder capture the excitement of a rainstorm in the city. Evocative collage, gouache, and pencil illustrations.
The Little Bear Book
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A little bear with a pencil distracts fierce looking predators by drawing what they need. Colorful watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A little bear with a pencil distracts fierce looking predators by drawing what they need. Colorful watercolor and ink illustrations.
The Midnight Library
written and illustrated by Kazuno Kohara
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
In this library, open only at night, a little librarian knows how to please all the animals who enter. Yellow and blue art outlined in black.
written and illustrated by Kazuno Kohara
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
In this library, open only at night, a little librarian knows how to please all the animals who enter. Yellow and blue art outlined in black.
The Orchestra Pit
written and illustrated by Johanna Wright
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
When snake wanders into the wrong pit by mistake, he encounters the instruments in an orchestra, to the consternation of the young musicians. Mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Johanna Wright
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
When snake wanders into the wrong pit by mistake, he encounters the instruments in an orchestra, to the consternation of the young musicians. Mixed-media illustrations.
The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Pigeon insists, “I don't really need a bath.... I took one last month!” Hilarity ensues, but Pigeon emerges squeaky-clean. Cartoonish, dynamic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Pigeon insists, “I don't really need a bath.... I took one last month!” Hilarity ensues, but Pigeon emerges squeaky-clean. Cartoonish, dynamic illustrations.
The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School
by Deborah Diesen
Illustrator: Dan Hanna
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A rhythmic tale of a little fish on his first day at school follows him as he finds a wonderful teacher and realizes he can learn. Humorous illustrations.
by Deborah Diesen
Illustrator: Dan Hanna
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A rhythmic tale of a little fish on his first day at school follows him as he finds a wonderful teacher and realizes he can learn. Humorous illustrations.
The Storm Whale
written and illustrated by Benji Davies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A lonely boy's rescue of a beached whale helps to strengthen the boy's relationship with his father. Comforting illustrations.
written and illustrated by Benji Davies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A lonely boy's rescue of a beached whale helps to strengthen the boy's relationship with his father. Comforting illustrations.
The Way to the Zoo
written and illustrated by John Burningham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
When Sylvie finds a door in her room leading to the zoo, animals come to spend the night with humorous results. Droll pen, pencil, pastel, and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Burningham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
When Sylvie finds a door in her room leading to the zoo, animals come to spend the night with humorous results. Droll pen, pencil, pastel, and watercolor illustrations.
Three Bears in a Boat
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
After breaking their mother's prize seashell, three bear cubs set out on the high seas to replace it, with resulting arguments and reconciliation. Detailed watercolors.
written and illustrated by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
After breaking their mother's prize seashell, three bear cubs set out on the high seas to replace it, with resulting arguments and reconciliation. Detailed watercolors.
Tugboat
written and illustrated by Michael Garland
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Graphite and digital illustrations and simple text tell the story of tugboats. A picture glossary helps to explain terms.
written and illustrated by Michael Garland
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Graphite and digital illustrations and simple text tell the story of tugboats. A picture glossary helps to explain terms.
Underpants Dance
by Marlena Zapf
Illustrator: Lynne Avril
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Lily loves to dance and show her frilly underpants, much to the chagrin of her older sister. Engaging gouache illustrations.
by Marlena Zapf
Illustrator: Lynne Avril
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Lily loves to dance and show her frilly underpants, much to the chagrin of her older sister. Engaging gouache illustrations.
Vanilla Ice Cream
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A sparrow's journey far from home allows Edie to get her first taste of vanilla ice cream. Expansive ink and watercolor illustrations show how.
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
A sparrow's journey far from home allows Edie to get her first taste of vanilla ice cream. Expansive ink and watercolor illustrations show how.
Who Can Jump? (Lift the Flaps)
by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
All types of animals can jump. Guess who they are and lift the sturdy flaps. Mixed media, colorful illustrations.
by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
All types of animals can jump. Guess who they are and lift the sturdy flaps. Mixed media, colorful illustrations.
Who Says That, Cat the Cat?
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Imitate the sounds and sleep habits of familiar animals and get ready for bed. . . except for the one who is different. Bold outlines of humorous animal figures.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Imitate the sounds and sleep habits of familiar animals and get ready for bed. . . except for the one who is different. Bold outlines of humorous animal figures.
Who Sleeps, Cat the Cat?
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
list with Who Says That, Cat the Cat?
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
list with Who Says That, Cat the Cat?
Wickle Woo Has a Halloween Party
illustrated by Jannie Ho
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Wickle Woo is having a Halloween party. Pull the tabs to help him find the costumed friends he invited. Illustrated in seasonal colors.
illustrated by Jannie Ho
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Wickle Woo is having a Halloween party. Pull the tabs to help him find the costumed friends he invited. Illustrated in seasonal colors.
Winston & George
by John Miller
Illustrator: Giuliano Cucco
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
The strong friendship between a crocodile and his crocodile bird is seriously tested when the bird plays one too many pranks. Vibrant illustrations. Information page included.
by John Miller
Illustrator: Giuliano Cucco
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
The strong friendship between a crocodile and his crocodile bird is seriously tested when the bird plays one too many pranks. Vibrant illustrations. Information page included.
Yoko Finds Her Way
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Leaving for Japan, Yoko proudly guids her mother throught the airport by following posted signs, but coming back from the restroom, she loses her way. Shimmering, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Leaving for Japan, Yoko proudly guids her mother throught the airport by following posted signs, but coming back from the restroom, she loses her way. Shimmering, colorful illustrations.
You Are My Baby
written and illustrated by Lorena Siminovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
see You Are My Baby: Garden
written and illustrated by Lorena Siminovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
see You Are My Baby: Garden
You Are My Baby
written and illustrated by Lorena Siminovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
see You Are My Baby: Garden
written and illustrated by Lorena Siminovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
see You Are My Baby: Garden
You Are My Baby: Garden
written and illustrated by Lorena Siminovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Maternal bonds between animal mothers and their babies grow close in the garden, woods, ocean, and home. Gouache collages.
written and illustrated by Lorena Siminovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2014
Maternal bonds between animal mothers and their babies grow close in the garden, woods, ocean, and home. Gouache collages.