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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No Jumping on the Bed!
written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When Walter jumps on his bed, his bed crashes through the floor with hilarious consequences. Colorful graphite and photoshop, cartoon-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When Walter jumps on his bed, his bed crashes through the floor with hilarious consequences. Colorful graphite and photoshop, cartoon-like illustrations.
Oh No, George!
written and illustrated by Chris Haughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
George is a dog who really wants to be good, but having so many temptations makes that very hard! Quirky, vivid illustrations.
written and illustrated by Chris Haughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
George is a dog who really wants to be good, but having so many temptations makes that very hard! Quirky, vivid illustrations.
Oh! What a Surprise!
written and illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Goose and Bear are busy making surprises, and Fox is eager to participate. Colorful pastel-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Goose and Bear are busy making surprises, and Fox is eager to participate. Colorful pastel-like illustrations.
Ollie's School Day
by Stephanie Calmenson
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Is this story about exploring a jungle? No! Is it a whimsical view of a day in an early childhood classroom? Yes! Watercolor illustrations add to the fun.
by Stephanie Calmenson
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Is this story about exploring a jungle? No! Is it a whimsical view of a day in an early childhood classroom? Yes! Watercolor illustrations add to the fun.
One Special Day
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Jessica Meserve
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
An energetic and imaginative boy becomes a big brother. Digital oil pastel illustrations.
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Jessica Meserve
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
An energetic and imaginative boy becomes a big brother. Digital oil pastel illustrations.
One Spotted Giraffe
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Colorful animals teach counting numbers from one to ten through simple pop-ups. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Colorful animals teach counting numbers from one to ten through simple pop-ups. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations.
One Two That's My Shoe!
written and illustrated by Alison Murray
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In this sprightly variation on a familiar rhyme, readers count along as a girl pursues the puppy who has taken her shoe. Colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Alison Murray
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In this sprightly variation on a familiar rhyme, readers count along as a girl pursues the puppy who has taken her shoe. Colorful illustrations.
On My Way to the Bath
by Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Michael Paraskevas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Livi's creative procrastination slows her trip to the tub. Will she ever get wet? Playful, digital art.
by Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Michael Paraskevas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Livi's creative procrastination slows her trip to the tub. Will she ever get wet? Playful, digital art.
Peekaboo Baby
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All of babies' favorite things are part of this playful look at one baby's day. Digital illustrations with patterns and color support this lift-the-flap book.
written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
All of babies' favorite things are part of this playful look at one baby's day. Digital illustrations with patterns and color support this lift-the-flap book.
Petunia Goes Wild
written and illustrated by Paul Schmid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Petunia longs to be a wild animal, to her parent's dismay. Simple line drawings add to the humor.
written and illustrated by Paul Schmid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Petunia longs to be a wild animal, to her parent's dismay. Simple line drawings add to the humor.
Pig Pig Meets the Lion
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The friendly lion who escaped from the zoo plays with Pig Pig in his new-found home. Prepositions abound. Warm watercolors.
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
The friendly lion who escaped from the zoo plays with Pig Pig in his new-found home. Prepositions abound. Warm watercolors.
Plant a Kiss
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
What happens when you plant a kiss in the ground? Spare prose is encircled by expressive illustrations.
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
What happens when you plant a kiss in the ground? Spare prose is encircled by expressive illustrations.
Rocket Writes a Story
written and illustrated by Tad Hills
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
With encouragement from his teacher, the little yellow bird, Rocket uses his new-found words to tell about his new friend. Simple, bold, oil and colored-pencil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tad Hills
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
With encouragement from his teacher, the little yellow bird, Rocket uses his new-found words to tell about his new friend. Simple, bold, oil and colored-pencil illustrations.
Silly Doggy!
written and illustrated by Adam Stower
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Lily returns her newfound pet. Now will she find another one? Hilarious, realistic illustrations capture the innocence of mistaken identity.
written and illustrated by Adam Stower
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Lily returns her newfound pet. Now will she find another one? Hilarious, realistic illustrations capture the innocence of mistaken identity.
Sky Color
written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Marisol paints the sky on the class mural without blue in the paint box. Pen and ink, watercolor and gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Marisol paints the sky on the class mural without blue in the paint box. Pen and ink, watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Sleep Like a Tiger
written by Mary Logue
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little girl asks her parents if every creature sleeps. Although she says she's not ready for bed, eventually she imitates the animals. Mixed-media paintings.
written by Mary Logue
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A little girl asks her parents if every creature sleeps. Although she says she's not ready for bed, eventually she imitates the animals. Mixed-media paintings.
Speak Up, Tommy!
by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
Illustrator: Deborah Melmon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
After constantly teasing him about his Israeli accent, Tommy's classmates are surprised when his knowledge of Hebrew makes him a hero. Cartoonish illustrations.
by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
Illustrator: Deborah Melmon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
After constantly teasing him about his Israeli accent, Tommy's classmates are surprised when his knowledge of Hebrew makes him a hero. Cartoonish illustrations.
Step Gently Out
poem by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Close-up photographs accompany a lovely, gentle poem about many of nature's small but interesting insects. Brief scientific information included.
poem by Helen Frost
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Close-up photographs accompany a lovely, gentle poem about many of nature's small but interesting insects. Brief scientific information included.
Summer Days and Nights
written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In gentle rhyme, a child experiences a summer day with a joy that lasts until bedtime. Prismacolor illustrations describe her world with rich, glowing color.
written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In gentle rhyme, a child experiences a summer day with a joy that lasts until bedtime. Prismacolor illustrations describe her world with rich, glowing color.
Tabby McTat
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In this sweet, rhyming story, a street musician and his cat are separated. Will they find each other again? Bright, mixed-media illustrations.
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
In this sweet, rhyming story, a street musician and his cat are separated. Will they find each other again? Bright, mixed-media illustrations.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
by Rebecca Emberley
Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Grasshopper and his bug band provide what ant needs to bring her “sticky burden” back to her colony. Bold, colorful illustrations.
by Rebecca Emberley
Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Grasshopper and his bug band provide what ant needs to bring her “sticky burden” back to her colony. Bold, colorful illustrations.
The Day Louis Got Eaten
written and illustrated by John Fardell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Through speed and wit, Sarah attempts to rescue her brother who was eaten by a Gulp, encountering unexpected perils. Dynamic, cartoonish illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Fardell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Through speed and wit, Sarah attempts to rescue her brother who was eaten by a Gulp, encountering unexpected perils. Dynamic, cartoonish illustrations.
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When duckling receives a requested cookie, Pigeon rants that he never gets what he asks for. So? Signature speech-balloon text and illustrations.
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
When duckling receives a requested cookie, Pigeon rants that he never gets what he asks for. So? Signature speech-balloon text and illustrations.
The Family Tree
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A boy needs help to save a tree that for generations has provided shade for the house and a swing for children. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
A boy needs help to save a tree that for generations has provided shade for the house and a swing for children. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
The Great Sheep Shenanigans
by Peter Bently
Illustrator: Mei Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Trying one disguise after another, a wily wolf is determined to capture a lamb for his supper. Colored pencil, paint, and collage illustrations.
by Peter Bently
Illustrator: Mei Matsuoka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2012
Trying one disguise after another, a wily wolf is determined to capture a lamb for his supper. Colored pencil, paint, and collage illustrations.