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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
The Lamb and the Butterfly
by Arnold Sundgaard
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A protected lamb and an independent butterfly discuss their different ways of living. Bold acrylic paintings and paper collages.
by Arnold Sundgaard
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A protected lamb and an independent butterfly discuss their different ways of living. Bold acrylic paintings and paper collages.
The Purim Superhero
by Elisabeth Kushner
Illustrator: Mike Byrne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Everyone in Hebrew School wants to be a superhero for Purim. Can Nate find a costume that expresses who he is? Colorful illustrations.
by Elisabeth Kushner
Illustrator: Mike Byrne
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Everyone in Hebrew School wants to be a superhero for Purim. Can Nate find a costume that expresses who he is? Colorful illustrations.
There, There
by Sam McBratney
Illustrator: Ivan Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Hansie Bear knows just what to do when his dad gets a thorn in his foot. Gentle mixed-medial illustrations.
by Sam McBratney
Illustrator: Ivan Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Hansie Bear knows just what to do when his dad gets a thorn in his foot. Gentle mixed-medial illustrations.
The Silver Moon
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Jui Ishida
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Lilting rhythmic poems for babies and toddlers at bedtime feature connections to the animal world as they sleep. Bright, colorful acrylics.
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Jui Ishida
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Lilting rhythmic poems for babies and toddlers at bedtime feature connections to the animal world as they sleep. Bright, colorful acrylics.
The Story of Fish & Snail
written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When Fish finds a new story, will Snail have the courage to follow him through it or is this the end of their friendship? Enchanting illustrations in soft pastel hues
written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When Fish finds a new story, will Snail have the courage to follow him through it or is this the end of their friendship? Enchanting illustrations in soft pastel hues
The Things I Can Do
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Child-like collages coupled with bravado accomplishments related in rhyme will engage readers and encourage independence.
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Child-like collages coupled with bravado accomplishments related in rhyme will engage readers and encourage independence.
The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf
written and illustrated by Mark Teague
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A refreshing take on a time honored tale. Humorous oil paintings.
written and illustrated by Mark Teague
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A refreshing take on a time honored tale. Humorous oil paintings.
The Very Big Carrot
written and illustrated by Satoe Tone
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Six imaginative rabbits consider what they might do with the carrot they have dug up. Colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Satoe Tone
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Six imaginative rabbits consider what they might do with the carrot they have dug up. Colorful illustrations.
This Little Hamster
written and illustrated by Kass Reich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
simple rhymes and engaging digitally colored drawings introduce colors.
written and illustrated by Kass Reich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
simple rhymes and engaging digitally colored drawings introduce colors.
This Monster Cannot Wait!
written and illustrated by Bethany Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Only a week more of school, and Stewart can't wait for the family camping trip. Can the monster speed up time? Colorful ink on paper illustrations.
written and illustrated by Bethany Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Only a week more of school, and Stewart can't wait for the family camping trip. Can the monster speed up time? Colorful ink on paper illustrations.
Thumpy Feet
written and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Chant along as frisky cat eats (“lucky lick”), plays and naps (”snoozy snooze”). Lively watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Chant along as frisky cat eats (“lucky lick”), plays and naps (”snoozy snooze”). Lively watercolor illustrations.
Time-Out For Sophie
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Sophie wants to be good and helpful, but Sophie's impulses lead to a time-out. Humorous text and illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Sophie wants to be good and helpful, but Sophie's impulses lead to a time-out. Humorous text and illustrations.
Trixie Ten
written and illustrated by Sarah Massini
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Trixie, the tenth sister in a noisy collection of siblings, craves silence. When she finds it, she is not so sure it's the perfection she expected. Colorful, inventive, mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Sarah Massini
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Trixie, the tenth sister in a noisy collection of siblings, craves silence. When she finds it, she is not so sure it's the perfection she expected. Colorful, inventive, mixed-media illustrations.
Truck Stop
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young boy helps welcome truck drivers to his family's diner before he goes off to school. Colorful and digitally-manipulated collage illustrations.
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young boy helps welcome truck drivers to his family's diner before he goes off to school. Colorful and digitally-manipulated collage illustrations.
Uh-Oh, Dodo!
written and illustrated by Jennifer Sattler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young bird goes for a long walk with hus mother, singing, collecting and meeting other animals. Colorful acrylic and pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jennifer Sattler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young bird goes for a long walk with hus mother, singing, collecting and meeting other animals. Colorful acrylic and pencil illustrations.
Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great
written and illustrated by Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Friction turns into friendship in this humorous tale of a goat and a unicorn. Cartoon-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Friction turns into friendship in this humorous tale of a goat and a unicorn. Cartoon-like illustrations.
Vampire Baby
by Kelly Bennett
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Big brother is certain that his baby sister, who chomps everything in sight, must be a vampire so he tries to find the right home for her. Humorous mixed-media color illustrations.
by Kelly Bennett
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Big brother is certain that his baby sister, who chomps everything in sight, must be a vampire so he tries to find the right home for her. Humorous mixed-media color illustrations.
Wait! Wait!
by Hatsue Nakawak
Illustrator: Komako Sakai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When a toddler's encounters with creatures in the outside world elude her reach, her father's presence provides reassuring constancy. Sparse repetitive text with delicate acrylic-and-oil pencil illustration.
by Hatsue Nakawak
Illustrator: Komako Sakai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
When a toddler's encounters with creatures in the outside world elude her reach, her father's presence provides reassuring constancy. Sparse repetitive text with delicate acrylic-and-oil pencil illustration.
Wee Rhymes
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Baby's days from play time to bedtime are celebrated in seventy-five new and classic rhymes. Gentle, appealing watercolor illustrations.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Baby's days from play time to bedtime are celebrated in seventy-five new and classic rhymes. Gentle, appealing watercolor illustrations.
Whale Shines
written and illustrated by Fiona Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A whale, with help from the plankton, manages to join the other sea animals in entering the annual art exhibition.
written and illustrated by Fiona Robinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A whale, with help from the plankton, manages to join the other sea animals in entering the annual art exhibition.
What's In There?
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Nadine Bernard Westcott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The facts of pregnancy and birth are presented clearly and simply. Humorous illustrations.
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Nadine Bernard Westcott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
The facts of pregnancy and birth are presented clearly and simply. Humorous illustrations.
What's the Time, Mr. Wolf?
written and illustrated by Debi Gliori
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
As the hours pass by, Mr. Wolf wonders whether any of his friends remember that it's his birthday. Humorous, detailed watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Debi Gliori
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
As the hours pass by, Mr. Wolf wonders whether any of his friends remember that it's his birthday. Humorous, detailed watercolor and ink illustrations.
What Will Hatch?
by Jennifer Ward
Illustrator: Susie Ghahremani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Guess what animal will hatch from eggs different in size, color and shape. Clear, informative illustrations.
by Jennifer Ward
Illustrator: Susie Ghahremani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Guess what animal will hatch from eggs different in size, color and shape. Clear, informative illustrations.
When Charley Met Grampa
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Henry wants Grandpa to meet and like his new puppy, Charley. Soft appealing illustrations.
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Henry wants Grandpa to meet and like his new puppy, Charley. Soft appealing illustrations.
When Lions Roar
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young child describes loud noises that scare him and tells what he does to make himself feel calmer. Crayon and watercolor illustrations.
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young child describes loud noises that scare him and tells what he does to make himself feel calmer. Crayon and watercolor illustrations.