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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Back to School Tortoise
by Lucy M. George
Illustrator: Merel Eyckerman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Tortoise shows us that all sorts of creatures can feel nervous on the first day of school. Whimsical watercolors add to the text.
by Lucy M. George
Illustrator: Merel Eyckerman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Tortoise shows us that all sorts of creatures can feel nervous on the first day of school. Whimsical watercolors add to the text.
Bedtime for Bear
written and illustrated by Brett Helquist
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bear and his raccoon friends enjoy a final romp in the snow before he settles in for the winter. Joyous color paintings.
written and illustrated by Brett Helquist
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bear and his raccoon friends enjoy a final romp in the snow before he settles in for the winter. Joyous color paintings.
Before You Came
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A mother shares her happy memories with her child. Poetic lan guage and bold, colorful images.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A mother shares her happy memories with her child. Poetic lan guage and bold, colorful images.
Big Brothers Don't Take Naps
by Louise Borden
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Will Nicholas be able to be a great big brother just like James? Digital illustrations show their adventures together as they prepare for a new family development.
by Louise Borden
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Will Nicholas be able to be a great big brother just like James? Digital illustrations show their adventures together as they prepare for a new family development.
Blue Chameleon
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Chameleon tries to find a friend by changing his color and shape. Intriguing, humorous crayon and pencil drawings.
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Chameleon tries to find a friend by changing his color and shape. Intriguing, humorous crayon and pencil drawings.
Bug and Bear:
written by Ann Bonwill
Illustrator: Layn Marlow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bug and Bear find out what friendship is all about.
written by Ann Bonwill
Illustrator: Layn Marlow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bug and Bear find out what friendship is all about.
Busy Elephants
by John Schindel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Rhymed couplets describe a broad range of elephant behavior. Illuminating photographs.
by John Schindel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Rhymed couplets describe a broad range of elephant behavior. Illuminating photographs.
Cat Secrets
written and illustrated by Jef Czekaj
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
This book is for cats only--and for YOU if you can pass the test. Bold colorful cartoon-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jef Czekaj
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
This book is for cats only--and for YOU if you can pass the test. Bold colorful cartoon-like illustrations.
Chicken, Chicken, Duck!
written and illustrated by Nadia Krilanovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
The names and sounds of the animals under the leadership of duck are portrayed with lively illustrations.
written and illustrated by Nadia Krilanovich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
The names and sounds of the animals under the leadership of duck are portrayed with lively illustrations.
Chicks Run Wild
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Ward Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When Mama tucks in her chicks, they are not ready to go to sleep. Fun, bright illustrations.
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Ward Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When Mama tucks in her chicks, they are not ready to go to sleep. Fun, bright illustrations.
Colores de la Vida
by Cynthia Weill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Vivid colors are presented on double pages with the name of the color in English and Spanish. Illustrations are folk art from Oaxaca.
by Cynthia Weill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Vivid colors are presented on double pages with the name of the color in English and Spanish. Illustrations are folk art from Oaxaca.
Cookiebot!
by Katie Van Camp
Illustrator: Lincoln Agnew
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When the cookies are out of reach, Harry and Horsie know what to do - build a robot! Bright, exciting digitally created illustrations.
by Katie Van Camp
Illustrator: Lincoln Agnew
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When the cookies are out of reach, Harry and Horsie know what to do - build a robot! Bright, exciting digitally created illustrations.
Cows to the Rescue
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
After they get the Greenstalk family to the fair, the cows must keep saving the day. Bright, amusing watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
After they get the Greenstalk family to the fair, the cows must keep saving the day. Bright, amusing watercolor illustrations.
Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters:
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Despite their busy day, these monsters are not quite ready for bed. Colorful, mixed media illustrations imbue each monster with personality.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Despite their busy day, these monsters are not quite ready for bed. Colorful, mixed media illustrations imbue each monster with personality.
Dot
written and illustrated by Patricia Intriago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A predominantly black and white rendering of dots in various positions teaches concepts with humor and wit.
written and illustrated by Patricia Intriago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A predominantly black and white rendering of dots in various positions teaches concepts with humor and wit.
Eddie Gets Ready For School
written and illustrated by David Milgrim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Eddie can get ready for school all by himself....well maybe with a little adult help. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by David Milgrim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Eddie can get ready for school all by himself....well maybe with a little adult help. Humorous, colorful illustrations.
Edwin Speaks Up
by April Stevens
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Baby Edwin has a way with words that his family doesn't appreciate. Delicate ink and watercolor illustrations add humor and quirky charm.
by April Stevens
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Baby Edwin has a way with words that his family doesn't appreciate. Delicate ink and watercolor illustrations add humor and quirky charm.
Everything Goes On Land
written and illustrated by Brian Biggs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
In this dizzy cartoonish adventure, a boy and his father journey through streets crowded with vehicles to pick up mom from the train station.
written and illustrated by Brian Biggs
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
In this dizzy cartoonish adventure, a boy and his father journey through streets crowded with vehicles to pick up mom from the train station.
Farmyard Beat
by Lindsey Craig
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When these farmyard animals can't sleep, their rhyming and rhythmic noise gets everyone dancing to the beat. Bright,textured collage artwork complements the text.
by Lindsey Craig
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When these farmyard animals can't sleep, their rhyming and rhythmic noise gets everyone dancing to the beat. Bright,textured collage artwork complements the text.
Follow Me
written and illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
An imaginative game is described in simple, playful language and pictures.
written and illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
An imaginative game is described in simple, playful language and pictures.
Fortune Cookies
by Albert Bitterman
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Pull the tabs to find out what each fortune cookie says. Whimsical, loose watercolors depict a little girl and her good luck story.
by Albert Bitterman
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Pull the tabs to find out what each fortune cookie says. Whimsical, loose watercolors depict a little girl and her good luck story.
George Flies South
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Baby bird George is afraid to leave the nest despite his mother's urgings that it is time to fly south, until a gust of wind sends the nest airborne and George discovers the pleasures of flight. Amusingly detailed ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Simon James
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Baby bird George is afraid to leave the nest despite his mother's urgings that it is time to fly south, until a gust of wind sends the nest airborne and George discovers the pleasures of flight. Amusingly detailed ink and watercolor illustrations.
Good Night, Chickie
written and illustrated by Émile Jadoul
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Chickie and his toy bunny need constant reassurance that mother is nearby at sleep time. Bold, evocative color illustrations.
written and illustrated by Émile Jadoul
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Chickie and his toy bunny need constant reassurance that mother is nearby at sleep time. Bold, evocative color illustrations.
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
In a soothing, rhyming text, a group of busy construction vehicles settle down for the night. Richly colored illustrations with just enough detail and character.
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
In a soothing, rhyming text, a group of busy construction vehicles settle down for the night. Richly colored illustrations with just enough detail and character.
Gracie the Lighthouse Cat
written and illustrated by Ruth Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Two stories, one in pictures and one in words, tell the tale of a shipwreck and the rescue of a kitten in this true story. Realistic watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ruth Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Two stories, one in pictures and one in words, tell the tale of a shipwreck and the rescue of a kitten in this true story. Realistic watercolor illustrations.