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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Scrawny Cat
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Alison Friend
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Will a lost, lonely, hungry cat find someone to love her? Painterly background scenery accompanies the adventures.
by Phyllis Root
Illustrator: Alison Friend
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Will a lost, lonely, hungry cat find someone to love her? Painterly background scenery accompanies the adventures.
Sea of Dreams
written and illustrated by Dennis Nolan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A girl builds a sand castle which takes on a life of its own in this wordless, nautical fantasy. Peaceful watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Dennis Nolan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A girl builds a sand castle which takes on a life of its own in this wordless, nautical fantasy. Peaceful watercolor illustrations.
Shoe-la-la!
by Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Shopping for shoes is such a dilemma! But four friends manage to end up with the perfect pairs. Lively, colorful illustrations.
by Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Shopping for shoes is such a dilemma! But four friends manage to end up with the perfect pairs. Lively, colorful illustrations.
Shout! Shout it Out!
written and illustrated by Denise Fleming
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Shout letters, numbers, colors, animals, and more along with Fleming's exuberant kids. Pulp-painted collages.
written and illustrated by Denise Fleming
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Shout letters, numbers, colors, animals, and more along with Fleming's exuberant kids. Pulp-painted collages.
Snowy Valentine
written and illustrated by David Petersen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Jasper Bunny wants inspiration from his forest neighbors to find the perfect gift for his wife, but finds answers closer to home. Colorful, bright paintings.
written and illustrated by David Petersen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Jasper Bunny wants inspiration from his forest neighbors to find the perfect gift for his wife, but finds answers closer to home. Colorful, bright paintings.
Spring is Here
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Mole's impatience to share the arrival of springtime with bear is enlivened by colorful mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Mole's impatience to share the arrival of springtime with bear is enlivened by colorful mixed-media illustrations.
Stars
by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
“What if you could be a star?” Let your mind wander as you wonder about these marvelous shapes. Whimsical illustrations in graphite and gouache add joy.
by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
“What if you could be a star?” Let your mind wander as you wonder about these marvelous shapes. Whimsical illustrations in graphite and gouache add joy.
Stop Snoring, Bernard!
written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bernard loves nap time but those around him cannot stand his loud snoring. Will Bernard find a place to sleep? Bold acrylic illustrations add humor and help convey emotions.
written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bernard loves nap time but those around him cannot stand his loud snoring. Will Bernard find a place to sleep? Bold acrylic illustrations add humor and help convey emotions.
Super-Dragon
by Steven Kroll
Illustrator: Douglas Holgate
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A young dragon's persistence and determination in learning to fly pays off. Colorful cartoon drawings add to the fun.
by Steven Kroll
Illustrator: Douglas Holgate
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A young dragon's persistence and determination in learning to fly pays off. Colorful cartoon drawings add to the fun.
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
written by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A blue horse, a pink crocodile, a yellow cow--all imaginative paintings to inspire children to use their imaginations. By an artist himself inspired by Franz Marc.
written by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A blue horse, a pink crocodile, a yellow cow--all imaginative paintings to inspire children to use their imaginations. By an artist himself inspired by Franz Marc.
The Belly Book
by Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bright watercolors and clever rhyme celebrate all the different types of stomachs.
by Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bright watercolors and clever rhyme celebrate all the different types of stomachs.
The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories
written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Seven stories from magazines, published in 1950 and 1951 contain delightful, quirky. and imaginative characters, sounds, and plots.
written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Seven stories from magazines, published in 1950 and 1951 contain delightful, quirky. and imaginative characters, sounds, and plots.
The Neighborhood Sing-Along
written and illustrated by Nina Crews
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Classic songs across cultures are a must for new parents and early educators. Multicultural photographs.
written and illustrated by Nina Crews
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Classic songs across cultures are a must for new parents and early educators. Multicultural photographs.
The Pet Shop Revolution
written and illustrated by Ana Juan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Can a young girl free the caged animals in cruel Mr. Walnut's pet store and reclaim her missing rabbit? Fanciful, animated, detailed, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ana Juan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Can a young girl free the caged animals in cruel Mr. Walnut's pet store and reclaim her missing rabbit? Fanciful, animated, detailed, colorful illustrations.
The Queen of France
by Tim Wadham
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Rose imagines herself queen for the day and her parents play along. Realistic ink, watercolor, and gouache drawings enhance the humor.
by Tim Wadham
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Rose imagines herself queen for the day and her parents play along. Realistic ink, watercolor, and gouache drawings enhance the humor.
The Rain Train
by Elena de Roo
Illustrator: Brian Lovelock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A child's dream of sleeping through a rainy night aboard the Rain Train is told in rhythmic text. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
by Elena de Roo
Illustrator: Brian Lovelock
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A child's dream of sleeping through a rainy night aboard the Rain Train is told in rhythmic text. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
The Red Hen
by Rebecca Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Sparkling, bold-colored graphics enliven the classic tale about what happens when friends refuse to help a hen bake a cake. Recipe included.
by Rebecca Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Sparkling, bold-colored graphics enliven the classic tale about what happens when friends refuse to help a hen bake a cake. Recipe included.
The Sniffles for Bear
by Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When bear catches a cold, Mouse's cheerful efforts to make him feel better only make him grumpier.
by Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When bear catches a cold, Mouse's cheerful efforts to make him feel better only make him grumpier.
The Sunflower Sword
by Mark Sperring
Illustrator: Miriam Latimer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A young “knight” spends a day vanquishing imaginary dragons with his sunflower sword, but when a real dragon arrives, something surprising happens. Exuberant, colorful illustrations.
by Mark Sperring
Illustrator: Miriam Latimer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A young “knight” spends a day vanquishing imaginary dragons with his sunflower sword, but when a real dragon arrives, something surprising happens. Exuberant, colorful illustrations.
The Talent Show
written and illustrated by Jo Hodgkinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Four animals decide to enter a contest with their band, but something is missing--a singer. The auditions have a surprising result. Humorous illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jo Hodgkinson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Four animals decide to enter a contest with their band, but something is missing--a singer. The auditions have a surprising result. Humorous illustrations.
The Twins' Blanket
written and illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
What happens when the shared blanket became too small for five-year-old girls? Exquisitely designed with rich, colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
What happens when the shared blanket became too small for five-year-old girls? Exquisitely designed with rich, colorful illustrations.
The World Champion of Staying Awake
by Sean Taylor
Illustrator: Jimmy Liao
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Young Stella helps her three stuffed animals find their way to dreamland. Soft watercolors depict both the realistic and fantastic.
by Sean Taylor
Illustrator: Jimmy Liao
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Young Stella helps her three stuffed animals find their way to dreamland. Soft watercolors depict both the realistic and fantastic.
This Baby
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Gabe Swiatkowska
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Expressive, lyrical language captures a child's happy anticipation of her soon-to-be-born sibling. Imaginative paintings.
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Gabe Swiatkowska
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Expressive, lyrical language captures a child's happy anticipation of her soon-to-be-born sibling. Imaginative paintings.
What Is Your Dog Doing?
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Kathleen Habbley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A simply told look at various dog activities--including shedding--is illustrated with bright digital pictures.
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Kathleen Habbley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A simply told look at various dog activities--including shedding--is illustrated with bright digital pictures.
What's in the Witch's Kitchen?
written and illustrated by Nick Sharratt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Two-way opening flaps provide twice the fun in this simple Halloween celebration. Bright digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Nick Sharratt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Two-way opening flaps provide twice the fun in this simple Halloween celebration. Bright digital illustrations.