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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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.
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.