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

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Lots of Dots
written and ill. by Craig Frazier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Dots are everywhere! Some are even in places you never expected. Bold, colorful illustrations.

Love, Mouserella
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
After Grandmouse's departure, Mouserella writes her a letter, sharing thoughts and adventures. Vibrant illustrations along with Mouserella's own drawings adorn every page.

Mary Had a Little Lamb
by Sarah Josepha Hale
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Enjoy this lively reworking of the familiar rhyme, capturing the lighthearted mood of the text. Illustrations combine gouache, acrylic and fabric collage.

Mitchell's License
by Hallie Durand
Illustrator: Tony Fucile
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
At almost four years old, Mitchell gets a license to drive his remote-control dad to bed. Digital illustrations enhance the humor.

My Kitten
by Margaret O'Hair
Illustrator: Tammie Lyon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A kittens busy day is described in a rhythmic text and bright, colorful gouache illustrations.

My Name is Elizabeth!
by Annika Dunklee
Illustrator: Matthew Forsythe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Elizabeth hates it when people call her by a nickname. Can she get them to stop? Expressive, bright multimedia illustrations.

Noodle & Lou
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Noodle, a small worm which is feeling blue, learns to see his good points thanks to his friend Lou, a bird. Entertaining watercolors.

No Sleep for the Sheep!
written by Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Jackie Urbanovic
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Sheep is trying to get a good night's sleep in the red barn. As each animal wakes him up, he lures it in to go to sleep. At rooster's call, everyone gets up--except Sheep. Amusing watercolor illustrations.

Not Inside This House
by Kevin Lewis
Illustrator: David Ercolini
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Livingstone cleverly devises a way to make his mother accept his interest in bugs. Humorously told in rhyme with bold, colorful art.

Ol' Mama Squirrel
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
“Chook! Chook! Chook!” Mama squirrel would say and danger would usually go away. But what will it take to make the threatening bear flee? Humorous ink and watercolor illustrations.

One Foot Two Feet
written and illustrated by Peter Maloney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Children are introduced to counting, prediction and the language of irregular plurals. Simple, clear illustrations.

One Moon, Two Cats
by Laura Godwin
Illustrator: Yoko Tanaka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Under the same moon, a city cat and a country cat sleep, creep, frolic, and play. Distinctive, atmospheric illustrations.

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
written and ill. by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A tiny mouse leads the fun through cut squares that peek into colorful circus scenes with plenty to count on every page.

Pig Pig Returns
written and ill. by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Will Mother and Fluffy miss Pig Pig if he goes on vacation with his aunt and uncle? Will they have forgotten him when he comes home? Watercolor illustrations.

Pirates Don't Take Baths
written and illustrated by John Segal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A piglet uses his most persuasive argument to avoid taking a bath, but his mother cleverly points out the errors in his logic. Fanciful pencil and watercolor illustrations.

Press Here`
written and illustrated by Hervé Tullet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Vivid energetic dots frolic across the page with a tap, a rub, or a shake. Fabulous interactive activities.

Pumpkin Trouble
written and illustrated by Jan Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Duck's attempt to carve a jack-o'-lantern leads to a humorous misunderstanding. Colorful illustrations.

Rah, Rah, Radishes!
written and illustrated by April Pulley Sayre
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Wonderful photographs of vegetables with rhyming text encourage readers to eat and enjoy all kinds of vegetables.

Raj the Bookstore Tiger
written by Kathleen T. Pelley
Illustrator: Paige Keiser
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A happy cat's life in a bookstore is interrupted by the arrival of Snowball, a second cat. Soft watercolor and pencil illustrations move the story along.

Red Sled
written and illustrated by Lita Judge
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
In this nearly wordless romp, a succession of forest animals join bear on a wild sled ride down a snowy slope. Joyous pencil and watercol,or illustrations.-

Red Wagon
written and illustrated by Renata Liwska
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Lucy wants to play with her new wagon, but her mother needs her to go to the market first. Playful pencil and digital illustrations tell a different story.

RRRalph
written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Vibrant collage illustrations depict an endearing black-and-white talking (wait--is that possible?) dog.

Samantha on a Roll
by Linda Ashman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Rollicking rhymes tell the story of Sammy's hilarious “roll” through town on her new skates as she disrupts a wedding and other activities. Simple but amusing visuals.

Say Hello to Zorro!
written and illustrated by Carter Goodrich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Everything is the way Mr. Bud likes it--until a stranger arrives and disturbs his schedule. Humorous watercolors.

Say What?
by Angela DiTerlizzi
Illustrator: Joey Chou
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
What do animals really mean when you hear them make sounds? Rhyming word play and bold whimsical illustrations.