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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You Are My Baby: Ocean
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
1, 2, 3. . . By the Sea
by Dianne Moritz
Illustrator: Hazel Mitchell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A mother, young boy, and his dog spend a day at the ocean identifying different sights and counting them. Lively mixed-media illustrations.
by Dianne Moritz
Illustrator: Hazel Mitchell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A mother, young boy, and his dog spend a day at the ocean identifying different sights and counting them. Lively mixed-media illustrations.
Ah Ha!
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Two little letters tell a big tale in this lively read-aloud, full of drama, surprise, and loads of fun. Boldly colored watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Two little letters tell a big tale in this lively read-aloud, full of drama, surprise, and loads of fun. Boldly colored watercolor illustrations.
Alphabet Trucks
by Samantha R. Vamos
Illustrator: Ryan ORourke
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Twenty-six familiar and unusual truck names presented through simple rhymes and whimsical oil and acrylic illustrations.
by Samantha R. Vamos
Illustrator: Ryan ORourke
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Twenty-six familiar and unusual truck names presented through simple rhymes and whimsical oil and acrylic illustrations.
Animal ABC
written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Easy-to-read couplets on 26 amazing animals, most real, two imaginary. Bold color prints.
written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Easy-to-read couplets on 26 amazing animals, most real, two imaginary. Bold color prints.
Animal Opposites
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Behind each colorful flap, discover the dynamic pop-up animals that are in contrast to the visible ones. Mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Behind each colorful flap, discover the dynamic pop-up animals that are in contrast to the visible ones. Mixed-media illustrations.
A Single Pearl
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A grain of sand ingested by an oyster becomes a pearl and winds up in the necklace of a princess. Acrylic paint and colored pencil illustrations enhance the text.
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A grain of sand ingested by an oyster becomes a pearl and winds up in the necklace of a princess. Acrylic paint and colored pencil illustrations enhance the text.
A Vacation for Pooch
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Violet is unhappy that her dog cannot join her on vacation and imagines that Pooch is not having a good time without her. Expressive, action-based illustrations.
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Violet is unhappy that her dog cannot join her on vacation and imagines that Pooch is not having a good time without her. Expressive, action-based illustrations.
Baby and Me
written and illustrated by Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple daily routines of baby care provide a touch and feel interactive experience. Brightly colored bold digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Simple daily routines of baby care provide a touch and feel interactive experience. Brightly colored bold digital illustrations.
Baby Parade
by Rebecca O'Connell
Illustrator: Susie Poole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Babies ride, crawl, stand, and walk with their families in this happy parade. Cheerful mixed-media illustrations.
by Rebecca O'Connell
Illustrator: Susie Poole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Babies ride, crawl, stand, and walk with their families in this happy parade. Cheerful mixed-media illustrations.
Ball
written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Expressive, humorous illustrations and just one repeated word convey a dog's single-minded devotion and a young girl's adoration. Digitally colored pencil drawings.
written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Expressive, humorous illustrations and just one repeated word convey a dog's single-minded devotion and a young girl's adoration. Digitally colored pencil drawings.
Bella Loves Bunny
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Follow a little girl and her stuffed bunny from morning light to sleepy time. Expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Follow a little girl and her stuffed bunny from morning light to sleepy time. Expressive illustrations.
Big Snow
written and illustrated by Jonathan Bean
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
David “helps” his mother with indoor chores and regularly dashes out to check on the arrival of snow. Soft colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jonathan Bean
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
David “helps” his mother with indoor chores and regularly dashes out to check on the arrival of snow. Soft colorful illustrations.
Bluebird
written and illustrated by Bob Staake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Blue and gray images without words follow the unexpected friendship between a boy and a bird, and the gentle power of the relationship.
written and illustrated by Bob Staake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Blue and gray images without words follow the unexpected friendship between a boy and a bird, and the gentle power of the relationship.
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.