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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When No One is Watching
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: David A. Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young girl dances, sings, and soars when she is alone, but she is shy with everyone except her best friend. digitally m,anipulated ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: David A. Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A young girl dances, sings, and soars when she is alone, but she is shy with everyone except her best friend. digitally m,anipulated ink and watercolor illustrations.
Which Is Round? Which Is Bigger?
written and illustrated by Mineko Mamada
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
This interesting twist on visual comparisons challenges very young readers to give objects a second look. Playful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mineko Mamada
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
This interesting twist on visual comparisons challenges very young readers to give objects a second look. Playful illustrations.
Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar?
by George Shannon
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
One person can take a cookie from the jar, but it takes a whole community to make the cookies in the jar. Colorful folk-art gouache illustrations.
by George Shannon
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
One person can take a cookie from the jar, but it takes a whole community to make the cookies in the jar. Colorful folk-art gouache illustrations.
Xander's Panda Party
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Xander Panda plans a party, and the guest list keeps expanding . . . and expanding . . . and expanding. Whimsical ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Xander Panda plans a party, and the guest list keeps expanding . . . and expanding . . . and expanding. Whimsical ink and watercolor illustrations.
Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug!
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Laura Ljungkvist
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
This seek and find book is presented in a very simple rhyming text coupled with colorful digital illustrations.
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Laura Ljungkvist
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
This seek and find book is presented in a very simple rhyming text coupled with colorful digital illustrations.
You Can Do It!
written and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A determined alligator wants to win a race but needs some help from a friend. Whimsical pen-and-ink and watercolors with very simple text.
written and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A determined alligator wants to win a race but needs some help from a friend. Whimsical pen-and-ink and watercolors with very simple text.
You Make Me Smile
written and illustrated by Layn Marlow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A little girl can't wait to go out in the first snowfall to build a smiling snowman friend. Illustrations in luminous, wintry-hued watercolors.
written and illustrated by Layn Marlow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A little girl can't wait to go out in the first snowfall to build a smiling snowman friend. Illustrations in luminous, wintry-hued watercolors.
Yummy!
by Shelley Rotner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A diverse collection of lively photographs focusing artistically on children and the foods that help them grow. Tips to parents are provided throughout the simple text.
by Shelley Rotner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
A diverse collection of lively photographs focusing artistically on children and the foods that help them grow. Tips to parents are provided throughout the simple text.
Zombelina
by Kristyn Crow
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Being inexperienced--or green--doesn't keep Zombelina from dance class. But will her stage fright turn her dance recital into a ghastly affair? Vivid prismacolor pencil illustrations.
by Kristyn Crow
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2013
Being inexperienced--or green--doesn't keep Zombelina from dance class. But will her stage fright turn her dance recital into a ghastly affair? Vivid prismacolor pencil illustrations.
A Home for Bird
written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Vernon the toad is determined to help his new friend, Bird, find his home, introducing him to his animal friends along the way. Humorous mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Vernon the toad is determined to help his new friend, Bird, find his home, introducing him to his animal friends along the way. Humorous mixed-media illustrations.
A Kiss Like This
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All the little ones kiss their grown-ups. Lyrical language and warm digital ink and watercolor illustrations on die-cut pages.
written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All the little ones kiss their grown-ups. Lyrical language and warm digital ink and watercolor illustrations on die-cut pages.
Alfie Is Not Afraid
written and illustrated by Patricia Carlin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little boy feels lucky that his dog will protect him when they camp out at night, but Alfie has other ideas. Clever ink and digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Patricia Carlin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little boy feels lucky that his dog will protect him when they camp out at night, but Alfie has other ideas. Clever ink and digital illustrations.
All About Grandmas
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Janice Nadeau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
An endearing, rhyming look at the reciprocal love between grandmas and their grandchildren is accompanied by soft, inviting watercolors.
by Roni Schotter
Illustrator: Janice Nadeau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
An endearing, rhyming look at the reciprocal love between grandmas and their grandchildren is accompanied by soft, inviting watercolors.
And Then It's Spring
by Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Accompanied by his dog, a rabbit, and a turtle, a boy patiently awaits Spring as he guards his planted seeds. Spare text and graceful, muted illustrations.
by Julie Fogliano
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Accompanied by his dog, a rabbit, and a turtle, a boy patiently awaits Spring as he guards his planted seeds. Spare text and graceful, muted illustrations.
Animal 1 2 3
written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Have fun counting animals of all sizes, shapes, and colors and lifting the number flap. Amusing, lively illustrations.
written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Have fun counting animals of all sizes, shapes, and colors and lifting the number flap. Amusing, lively illustrations.
Animal Spots and Stripes
written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Which animals are striped? Which are spotted? Discover the answers in the bold, playful illustrations of a menagerie of animals.
written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Which animals are striped? Which are spotted? Discover the answers in the bold, playful illustrations of a menagerie of animals.
Baby Be Kind
written and illustrated by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A vibrantly illustrated board book with gentle behavioral recommendations that can make the world a happy place for toddlers.
written and illustrated by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A vibrantly illustrated board book with gentle behavioral recommendations that can make the world a happy place for toddlers.
Bea at Ballet
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Bea and her friends love learning about ballet and dancing. Simple, clear multimedia illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Bea and her friends love learning about ballet and dancing. Simple, clear multimedia illustrations.
Bear in Love
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Who is leaving all those yummy gifts in front of his cave? Bear tries hard to find out. Gentle mixed-media drawings.
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Who is leaving all those yummy gifts in front of his cave? Bear tries hard to find out. Gentle mixed-media drawings.
Bears in Beds
by Shirley Parenteau
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Five sleepy bears fill cozy beds until a nighttime noise scares them. What can big brown bear do? Warm acrylic illustrations,
by Shirley Parenteau
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Five sleepy bears fill cozy beds until a nighttime noise scares them. What can big brown bear do? Warm acrylic illustrations,
Ben Loves Bear
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Follow their adventures as a boy and his bear share their day. Expressive, animated illustrations accompany easy-to-read text.
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Follow their adventures as a boy and his bear share their day. Expressive, animated illustrations accompany easy-to-read text.
Bow-Wow Wiggle Waggle
written and illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Sounds are the words as a boy's dog chases a cat instead of his ball. Simple watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Sounds are the words as a boy's dog chases a cat instead of his ball. Simple watercolor illustrations.
Charley's First Night
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The brand-new puppy doesn't want to sleep alone. Can Henry make him comfortable in his new home? Soft pencil and watercolor illustrations.
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The brand-new puppy doesn't want to sleep alone. Can Henry make him comfortable in his new home? Soft pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Christmastime
written and illustrated by Alison Jay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Learn about Christmas and enjoy a treasure hunt for songs of the season. Soft oil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Alison Jay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Learn about Christmas and enjoy a treasure hunt for songs of the season. Soft oil illustrations.
Christmas Wombat
by Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The wombat usually scratches, sleeps and cuts grass, but a windfall of carrots disturbs his usual routine. Humorous acrylic illustrations.
by Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The wombat usually scratches, sleeps and cuts grass, but a windfall of carrots disturbs his usual routine. Humorous acrylic illustrations.