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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We All Play/Kimêtawânaw
Julie Flett
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A celebration of playtime and of the connection between children and the natural world. Warm-toned illustrations and creatures' direct gazes invite engagement. Cree pronunciation guide and glossary.
Julie Flett
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A celebration of playtime and of the connection between children and the natural world. Warm-toned illustrations and creatures' direct gazes invite engagement. Cree pronunciation guide and glossary.
What Can a Mess Make?
Bee Johnson
Illustrator: Bee Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Two sisters share a joyful day of art projects, pillow forts, and tea parties. Richly colored flat-style art.
Bee Johnson
Illustrator: Bee Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Two sisters share a joyful day of art projects, pillow forts, and tea parties. Richly colored flat-style art.
What's New, Daniel?
Micha Archer
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A question from his beloved grandpa sends thoughtful Daniel off through the park to discover the newness in the world around him. Acrylic ink and patterned-paper collage.
Micha Archer
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A question from his beloved grandpa sends thoughtful Daniel off through the park to discover the newness in the world around him. Acrylic ink and patterned-paper collage.
When I Became Your Grandpa
Susannah Shane
Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A grandfather lion describes his joy in sharing the world with his grandcub. Warm, colorful illustrations.
Susannah Shane
Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A grandfather lion describes his joy in sharing the world with his grandcub. Warm, colorful illustrations.
When You Find the Right Rock
Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Felicita Sala
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A poetic exploration of pebbles, stones, and boulders and their place in our world. Quietly philosophical text with richly colored mixed-media art.
Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Felicita Sala
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A poetic exploration of pebbles, stones, and boulders and their place in our world. Quietly philosophical text with richly colored mixed-media art.
When You Have to Wait
Melanie Conklin
Illustrator: Leah Hong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
An Asian American girl can hardly wait to get into the pool, see her mom after a business trip, and ride a bigger bike. Soft gouache and crayon illustrations.
Melanie Conklin
Illustrator: Leah Hong
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
An Asian American girl can hardly wait to get into the pool, see her mom after a business trip, and ride a bigger bike. Soft gouache and crayon illustrations.
Where to Hide a Star
Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After a game of hide-and-seek goes wrong, a boy, a penguin, and a Martian journey to the North Pole to find a missing star. Bright, playful illustrations.
Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
After a game of hide-and-seek goes wrong, a boy, a penguin, and a Martian journey to the North Pole to find a missing star. Bright, playful illustrations.
Winter Light
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Die-cut holes with translucent inserts surround pale watercolor images of snow-covered nature and the warm hearth. Lyrical text.
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Die-cut holes with translucent inserts surround pale watercolor images of snow-covered nature and the warm hearth. Lyrical text.
Wonderful Goodbyes
Kelly Wu
Illustrator: Kelly Wu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Soft, introspective illustrations move thoughtfully between past and present as a girl and her family spend time with their beloved dog in the final few hours of its life.
Kelly Wu
Illustrator: Kelly Wu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Soft, introspective illustrations move thoughtfully between past and present as a girl and her family spend time with their beloved dog in the final few hours of its life.
Wonderful Wisdom of Ants, The
Philip Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Humorous text and vibrant animated graphics depict the life cycle and social behavior of ants.
Philip Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
Humorous text and vibrant animated graphics depict the life cycle and social behavior of ants.
Wrong Book, The
Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Alex Willmore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A bookmark stumbles upon a topsy-turvy world of characters making unexpected wrong sounds. Animated and hysterically funny graphics make it a great read aloud.
Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Alex Willmore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A bookmark stumbles upon a topsy-turvy world of characters making unexpected wrong sounds. Animated and hysterically funny graphics make it a great read aloud.
Yaya and the Sea
Karen Good Marable
Illustrator: Tonya Engel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
On the first day of spring, a Black girl watches her mother and beloved aunties give ritual offerings to the ocean. Radiant acrylic and oil paintings. Author's note.
Karen Good Marable
Illustrator: Tonya Engel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
On the first day of spring, a Black girl watches her mother and beloved aunties give ritual offerings to the ocean. Radiant acrylic and oil paintings. Author's note.
You'll Always Be My Chickadee
Kate Hosford
Illustrator: Sarah Gonzales
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A mother expresses love for her daughter through metaphor as they explore the wonders of nature. Brilliant, glowing art combines gouache, watercolor, pencil crayon, and digital technique.
Kate Hosford
Illustrator: Sarah Gonzales
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
A mother expresses love for her daughter through metaphor as they explore the wonders of nature. Brilliant, glowing art combines gouache, watercolor, pencil crayon, and digital technique.
You're SO Amazing!
James Catchpole and Lucy Catchpole
Illustrator: Karen George
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
One-legged Joe wants to be "Just Joe" to everyone. His friends and perseverance help him see he's both amazing and ordinary, as we all are. Expressive gouache art. Back matter.
James Catchpole and Lucy Catchpole
Illustrator: Karen George
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2024
One-legged Joe wants to be "Just Joe" to everyone. His friends and perseverance help him see he's both amazing and ordinary, as we all are. Expressive gouache art. Back matter.
10 Cats
Emily Gravett
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Ten playful kittens romp with paint pots as their mother sleeps blissfully through their antics. Pencil and watercolor digital illustrations.
Emily Gravett
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Ten playful kittens romp with paint pots as their mother sleeps blissfully through their antics. Pencil and watercolor digital illustrations.
Abuela's Super Capa
Ana Siqueira
Illustrator: Elisa Chavarri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
When Luis's Saturday playmate, his grandmother, falls ill, he continues their superhero antics with his younger sister. Abuela, now in a wheelchair, joins in. Animated colorful illustrations. Spanish glossary. Also available in Spanish.
Ana Siqueira
Illustrator: Elisa Chavarri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
When Luis's Saturday playmate, his grandmother, falls ill, he continues their superhero antics with his younger sister. Abuela, now in a wheelchair, joins in. Animated colorful illustrations. Spanish glossary. Also available in Spanish.
Afikomen
Tziporah Cohen
Illustrator: Yaara Eshet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
When children playfully hide under the seder table, they are magically transported, witnessing Moses's inspiring life story. Wordless. Evocative watercolor and ink illustrations. Author's note.
Tziporah Cohen
Illustrator: Yaara Eshet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
When children playfully hide under the seder table, they are magically transported, witnessing Moses's inspiring life story. Wordless. Evocative watercolor and ink illustrations. Author's note.
All's Right with the World
Jennifer Adams
Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In a Black family, children spend many precious moments with their mother throughout the day. Upbeat, lyrical text. Animated, colorful digital illustrations. Inspired by a poem by Robert Browning.
Jennifer Adams
Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In a Black family, children spend many precious moments with their mother throughout the day. Upbeat, lyrical text. Animated, colorful digital illustrations. Inspired by a poem by Robert Browning.
All the Beating Hearts
Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Cátia Chien
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
This wise, soulful book celebrates our common humanity, evocatively capturing joy, sorrow, light, darkness, and the meaning of life itself. Illustrations evoke tenderness.
Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Cátia Chien
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
This wise, soulful book celebrates our common humanity, evocatively capturing joy, sorrow, light, darkness, and the meaning of life itself. Illustrations evoke tenderness.
Alphabuddies: G Is First!
Beth Bacon and Karen Kane
Illustrator: Eric Barclay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
G and Z suggest changing the order of the alphabet song. A protests strongly, claiming that would destroy reading. Will it? Humorous expressive character illustrations with dialogue bubbles.
Beth Bacon and Karen Kane
Illustrator: Eric Barclay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
G and Z suggest changing the order of the alphabet song. A protests strongly, claiming that would destroy reading. Will it? Humorous expressive character illustrations with dialogue bubbles.
Apart, Together: A Book about Transformation
Linda Booth Sweeney
Illustrator: Ariel Rutland
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
How can separate things come together to make something wholly new? Brightly colored, energetic full-page illustrations.
Linda Booth Sweeney
Illustrator: Ariel Rutland
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
How can separate things come together to make something wholly new? Brightly colored, energetic full-page illustrations.
Baby Be
Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Lots of hip dads, male caregivers, and a few moms cherish their babies. Lyrical, swinging text emphasizing music and dance. Active mixed-media illustrations.
Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Lots of hip dads, male caregivers, and a few moms cherish their babies. Lyrical, swinging text emphasizing music and dance. Active mixed-media illustrations.
Baby, Sleepy Baby
Atinuke
Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Celestial elements—wind, clouds, stars, black sky—are called to care for beloved babies in diverse families. A cozy, warm bedtime read. Soft, mixed-media illustrations.
Atinuke
Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Celestial elements—wind, clouds, stars, black sky—are called to care for beloved babies in diverse families. A cozy, warm bedtime read. Soft, mixed-media illustrations.
Baking with Mi Abuelita (Step into Reading series)
Julissa Mora
Illustrator: Julissa Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Making a surprise birthday cake for Papi is such fun, especially when Grandma lets you help. Some Spanish text. Cheerful, colorful watercolor illustrations.
Julissa Mora
Illustrator: Julissa Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Making a surprise birthday cake for Papi is such fun, especially when Grandma lets you help. Some Spanish text. Cheerful, colorful watercolor illustrations.
Banana
Zoey Abbott
Illustrator: Zoey Abbott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A girl's relationship with her father is disrupted by his growing obsession with a mysterious banana. Cartoon-style illustrations in pencil and Risograph printing.
Zoey Abbott
Illustrator: Zoey Abbott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A girl's relationship with her father is disrupted by his growing obsession with a mysterious banana. Cartoon-style illustrations in pencil and Risograph printing.