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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Sky Color
written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Marisol paints the sky on the class mural without blue in the paint box. Pen and ink, watercolor and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Marisol paints the sky on the class mural without blue in the paint box. Pen and ink, watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Sleep Like a Tiger
written by Mary Logue
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little girl asks her parents if every creature sleeps. Although she says she's not ready for bed, eventually she imitates the animals. Mixed-media paintings.
written by Mary Logue
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little girl asks her parents if every creature sleeps. Although she says she's not ready for bed, eventually she imitates the animals. Mixed-media paintings.
Speak Up, Tommy!
by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
Illustrator: Deborah Melmon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
After constantly teasing him about his Israeli accent, Tommy's classmates are surprised when his knowledge of Hebrew makes him a hero. Cartoonish illustrations.
by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
Illustrator: Deborah Melmon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
After constantly teasing him about his Israeli accent, Tommy's classmates are surprised when his knowledge of Hebrew makes him a hero. Cartoonish illustrations.
Step Gently Out
poem by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Close-up photographs accompany a lovely, gentle poem about many of nature's small but interesting insects. Brief scientific information included.
poem by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Close-up photographs accompany a lovely, gentle poem about many of nature's small but interesting insects. Brief scientific information included.
Summer Days and Nights
written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In gentle rhyme, a child experiences a summer day with a joy that lasts until bedtime. Prismacolor illustrations describe her world with rich, glowing color.
written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In gentle rhyme, a child experiences a summer day with a joy that lasts until bedtime. Prismacolor illustrations describe her world with rich, glowing color.
Tabby McTat
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In this sweet, rhyming story, a street musician and his cat are separated. Will they find each other again? Bright, mixed-media illustrations.
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In this sweet, rhyming story, a street musician and his cat are separated. Will they find each other again? Bright, mixed-media illustrations.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
by Rebecca Emberley
Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Grasshopper and his bug band provide what ant needs to bring her “sticky burden” back to her colony. Bold, colorful illustrations.
by Rebecca Emberley
Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Grasshopper and his bug band provide what ant needs to bring her “sticky burden” back to her colony. Bold, colorful illustrations.
The Day Louis Got Eaten
written and illustrated by John Fardell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Through speed and wit, Sarah attempts to rescue her brother who was eaten by a Gulp, encountering unexpected perils. Dynamic, cartoonish illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Fardell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Through speed and wit, Sarah attempts to rescue her brother who was eaten by a Gulp, encountering unexpected perils. Dynamic, cartoonish illustrations.
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When duckling receives a requested cookie, Pigeon rants that he never gets what he asks for. So? Signature speech-balloon text and illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When duckling receives a requested cookie, Pigeon rants that he never gets what he asks for. So? Signature speech-balloon text and illustrations.
The Family Tree
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A boy needs help to save a tree that for generations has provided shade for the house and a swing for children. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A boy needs help to save a tree that for generations has provided shade for the house and a swing for children. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
The Great Sheep Shenanigans
by Peter Bently
Illustrator: Mei Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Trying one disguise after another, a wily wolf is determined to capture a lamb for his supper. Colored pencil, paint, and collage illustrations.
by Peter Bently
Illustrator: Mei Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Trying one disguise after another, a wily wolf is determined to capture a lamb for his supper. Colored pencil, paint, and collage illustrations.
The Lonely Book
by Kate Bernheimer
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When the book became old and worn, it was no longer taken from the shelf until.... Soft watercolor and graphite illustrations of a warm library setting.
by Kate Bernheimer
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When the book became old and worn, it was no longer taken from the shelf until.... Soft watercolor and graphite illustrations of a warm library setting.
The Man From the Land of Fandango
by Margaret Mahy
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A fun-loving man breaks out of a drawing and bounces along with two children to encounter a set of whimsical animals. Exuberant watercolor collage illustrations.
by Margaret Mahy
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A fun-loving man breaks out of a drawing and bounces along with two children to encounter a set of whimsical animals. Exuberant watercolor collage illustrations.
The Monster Returns
written and illustrated by Peter McCarty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Jeremy figures out a way to welcome Monster back by involving all the neighborhood kids. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Peter McCarty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Jeremy figures out a way to welcome Monster back by involving all the neighborhood kids. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
There Was a Tree
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Bright collages depict the African setting of the song “Green Grass Grows All Around.” Music included.
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Bright collages depict the African setting of the song “Green Grass Grows All Around.” Music included.
The Three Ninja Pigs
by Corey Rosen Schwartz
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Through diligent mastery of self defense techniques, the third pig succeeds where her brothers failed and outrivals the wolf. Clever rhymed text and colorful engaging illustrations. Glossary.
by Corey Rosen Schwartz
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Through diligent mastery of self defense techniques, the third pig succeeds where her brothers failed and outrivals the wolf. Clever rhymed text and colorful engaging illustrations. Glossary.
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
retold and illustrated by Helen Ward
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
This timeless fable is retold with sumptuous, expressive illustrations.
retold and illustrated by Helen Ward
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
This timeless fable is retold with sumptuous, expressive illustrations.
The Umbrella
conceived and illustrated by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
I this wordless book, the wind carries a small, black dog and a red umbrella to many places where they encounter all sorts of animals. Full page oil paintings.
conceived and illustrated by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
I this wordless book, the wind carries a small, black dog and a red umbrella to many places where they encounter all sorts of animals. Full page oil paintings.
This Is Not My Hat
written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little fish steals a hat but is sure his plan to hide in the weeds will succeed. But will it? Digitally created illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little fish steals a hat but is sure his plan to hide in the weeds will succeed. But will it? Digitally created illustrations.
This Monster Needs a Haircut
written and illustrated by Bathany Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Will Stewart still be scary if he gets a haircut? Will he lose his identity? Monster-like watercolors.
written and illustrated by Bathany Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Will Stewart still be scary if he gets a haircut? Will he lose his identity? Monster-like watercolors.
Toads on Toast
by Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Fox is tired of eating the same thing every day. A new cookbook offers fresh challenges. Humorous, colorful digital artwork.
by Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Fox is tired of eating the same thing every day. A new cookbook offers fresh challenges. Humorous, colorful digital artwork.
Together at Christmas
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Bin Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Ten little mice seek shelter from the falling snow. The natural scene is set with luminous paintings.
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Bin Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Ten little mice seek shelter from the falling snow. The natural scene is set with luminous paintings.
Too Shy for Show and Tell
by Beth Bracken
Illustrator: Jennifer A. Bell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Young Sam is scared to share before the class and tries to avoid it. How will he do when it is his turn? Humorous illustrations.
by Beth Bracken
Illustrator: Jennifer A. Bell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Young Sam is scared to share before the class and tries to avoid it. How will he do when it is his turn? Humorous illustrations.
Train Man
by Andrea Zimmerman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All aboard--including little brother. There are bridges to cross, tunnels to go through and mountains to climb. Vivid acrylic illustrations.
by Andrea Zimmerman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All aboard--including little brother. There are bridges to cross, tunnels to go through and mountains to climb. Vivid acrylic illustrations.
Trains Go
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Trains are always fun to see and hear, but who knew there were so many different kinds, each with its own sound? Energetic watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Trains are always fun to see and hear, but who knew there were so many different kinds, each with its own sound? Energetic watercolor illustrations.