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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Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do
by Kathryn Heling
Illustrator: Andy Robert Davies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Who wears a uniform and cap? Who wears blue overalls? And more! Rhymed text and colorful animated illustrations.
by Kathryn Heling
Illustrator: Andy Robert Davies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Who wears a uniform and cap? Who wears blue overalls? And more! Rhymed text and colorful animated illustrations.
Cold Snap
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A week of very cold weather in a small town brings out the best in everyone. What a relief when it's over! Lively gouache on watercolor paper illustrations.
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A week of very cold weather in a small town brings out the best in everyone. What a relief when it's over! Lively gouache on watercolor paper illustrations.
Demolition
by Sally Sutton
Illustrator: Brian Lovelock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The sounds and movements of a building's demolition are told in poetic form. Dramatic pigmented-ink illustrations.
by Sally Sutton
Illustrator: Brian Lovelock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The sounds and movements of a building's demolition are told in poetic form. Dramatic pigmented-ink illustrations.
Dinosaur Thunder
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All his family's reassurances do not comfort frightened Brannon until big brother Chad comes up with the explanation of dinosaur thunder. Simple, but evocative full-color prints.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All his family's reassurances do not comfort frightened Brannon until big brother Chad comes up with the explanation of dinosaur thunder. Simple, but evocative full-color prints.
Dog Loves Drawing
written and illustrated by Louise Yates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Drawing in his new sketchbook, Dog enters a world of adventures and friends. Whimsical pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Louise Yates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Drawing in his new sketchbook, Dog enters a world of adventures and friends. Whimsical pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Dolphin Baby!
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Brita Granström
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Soft acrylic illustrations accompany the pppffff and shreeeep of a mother-baby dolphin pair. Includes advice about saving dolphins in the wild.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Brita Granström
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Soft acrylic illustrations accompany the pppffff and shreeeep of a mother-baby dolphin pair. Includes advice about saving dolphins in the wild.
Drummer Boy of John John
by Mark Greenwood
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Young Trinidadian Winston pings and poms and boom bams on metal containers of different sizes and shapes, creating tunes and developing the steel drum. Colorful gouache paintings.
by Mark Greenwood
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Young Trinidadian Winston pings and poms and boom bams on metal containers of different sizes and shapes, creating tunes and developing the steel drum. Colorful gouache paintings.
Duck Sock Hop
by Jane Kohuth
Illustrator: Jane Porter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
What could be more fun than dancing in cool, colorful socks? Rhymed text and bright mixed media illustrations.
by Jane Kohuth
Illustrator: Jane Porter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
What could be more fun than dancing in cool, colorful socks? Rhymed text and bright mixed media illustrations.
Five Little Monkeys Jump In the Bath
written and illustrated by Eileen Christelow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Lively illustrations and amusing word play make this board book an ideal read-aloud.
written and illustrated by Eileen Christelow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Lively illustrations and amusing word play make this board book an ideal read-aloud.
Fly, Chick, Fly!
by Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Father and mother owl raise three chicks. Soft pastel illustrations link the chicks' growth to their natural surroundings.
by Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Father and mother owl raise three chicks. Soft pastel illustrations link the chicks' growth to their natural surroundings.
Friends
written and illustrated by Michael Foreman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Knowing his goldfish friend is unhappy, a cat figures out how to show him the world. Vibrant watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Michael Foreman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Knowing his goldfish friend is unhappy, a cat figures out how to show him the world. Vibrant watercolor illustrations.
Frog and Fly
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Will the fly outwit the frog in this humorous, six-part story? Bold illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Will the fly outwit the frog in this humorous, six-part story? Bold illustrations.
Get Dressed!
written and illustrated by Seymour Chwast
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
How do you dress to sing, hide or make believe? Easy-to-read text with simple watercolors in a fold-out format.
written and illustrated by Seymour Chwast
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
How do you dress to sing, hide or make believe? Easy-to-read text with simple watercolors in a fold-out format.
Green
written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The many facets of a single color are explored with minimal text in this cleverly designed and nuanced book. Oil paintings and cut-outs.
written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The many facets of a single color are explored with minimal text in this cleverly designed and nuanced book. Oil paintings and cut-outs.
Hamsters Holding Hands
written and illustrated by Kass Reich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Hamsters from one to ten interact in playful rhyme. Delicate drawings.
written and illustrated by Kass Reich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Hamsters from one to ten interact in playful rhyme. Delicate drawings.
Hey Little Baby!
by Heather Leigh
Illustrator: Geneviève Côté
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A newborn baby discovers hands, feet and nose. What will the future bring? Mixed-media illustrations.
by Heather Leigh
Illustrator: Geneviève Côté
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A newborn baby discovers hands, feet and nose. What will the future bring? Mixed-media illustrations.
Hippospotamus
by Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Silly, nonsensical rhyming words advance this story of jungle animals trying to help their hippo friend. Lively, humorous pen, ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Silly, nonsensical rhyming words advance this story of jungle animals trying to help their hippo friend. Lively, humorous pen, ink and watercolor illustrations.
How to Be Friends with a Dragon
written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
As his sister teaches him how to treat a dragon, Simon gets involved in a series of adventures with a dragon. Fanciful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
As his sister teaches him how to treat a dragon, Simon gets involved in a series of adventures with a dragon. Fanciful illustrations.
Huff & Puff
written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Play the role of the Big Bad Wolf, but be ready for a surprise twist. Die cuts with black pen-and-watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Play the role of the Big Bad Wolf, but be ready for a surprise twist. Die cuts with black pen-and-watercolor illustrations.
I Don't Want to be a Pea!
by Ann Bonwill
Illustrator: Simon Rickerty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Hugo Hippo and Bella Bird argue over their costumes for the fairy tale fancy dress party. Colorful digital illustrations.
by Ann Bonwill
Illustrator: Simon Rickerty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Hugo Hippo and Bella Bird argue over their costumes for the fairy tale fancy dress party. Colorful digital illustrations.
I'm Fast!
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Jim McMullan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
“Chooka chooka chooka” --freight train goes so fast! Can the little red car win this race from Sacramento to Chicago? Engaging line drawings with watercolors.
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Jim McMullan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
“Chooka chooka chooka” --freight train goes so fast! Can the little red car win this race from Sacramento to Chicago? Engaging line drawings with watercolors.
Isabella's Garden
by Glenda Millard
Illustrator: Rebecca Cool
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Seeds, plants, hatchlings, and a mantis all participate in seasonal changes depicted in a cumulative poem. Mixed-media illustrations.
by Glenda Millard
Illustrator: Rebecca Cool
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Seeds, plants, hatchlings, and a mantis all participate in seasonal changes depicted in a cumulative poem. Mixed-media illustrations.
It's a Tiger!
by David LaRochelle
Illustrator: Jeremy Tankard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A young child narrates the jungle adventures of running away from a persistent tiger. Bold illustrations in ink and digital media.
by David LaRochelle
Illustrator: Jeremy Tankard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A young child narrates the jungle adventures of running away from a persistent tiger. Bold illustrations in ink and digital media.
Itsy Bitsy Baby Mouse
by Michelle Meadows
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Bouncy, playful rhyme matches the energy of Baby Mouse's adventure. Cheerful watercolor illustrations.
by Michelle Meadows
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Bouncy, playful rhyme matches the energy of Baby Mouse's adventure. Cheerful watercolor illustrations.
I Want to Win!
written and illustrated by Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Can a feisty princess, used to having her way at the castle, learn how to play by the rules in a school competition? Whimsical ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Can a feisty princess, used to having her way at the castle, learn how to play by the rules in a school competition? Whimsical ink-and-watercolor illustrations.