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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In the Meadow
by Yukiko Kato
Illustrator: Komako Sakai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A young girl in Japan explores the area around a river in this first book of a series. Soft acrylic and oil pencil illustrations.
by Yukiko Kato
Illustrator: Komako Sakai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A young girl in Japan explores the area around a river in this first book of a series. Soft acrylic and oil pencil illustrations.
Is Everyone Ready For Fun?
written and illustrated by Jan Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Three cows think chicken's sofa will be a good place to have fun. Bright digital art.
written and illustrated by Jan Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Three cows think chicken's sofa will be a good place to have fun. Bright digital art.
Itsy Mitsy Runs Away
written and illustrated by Elanna Allen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A little girl packs liberally, with suggestions from dad, so she can run away and avoid bedtime.
written and illustrated by Elanna Allen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
A little girl packs liberally, with suggestions from dad, so she can run away and avoid bedtime.
I Want a Party!
written and illustrated by Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
The Little Princess organizes the best party ever except for one important detail. Humorous details and illustrations.
written and illustrated by Tony Ross
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
The Little Princess organizes the best party ever except for one important detail. Humorous details and illustrations.
Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat
written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Jonathan captains a big blue ocean liner as he searches for his beloved teddy bear. The fascinating illustrations combine digitally manipulated collage, pen and ink, and watercolor.
written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Jonathan captains a big blue ocean liner as he searches for his beloved teddy bear. The fascinating illustrations combine digitally manipulated collage, pen and ink, and watercolor.
King Jack and the Dragon
by Peter Bentley
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Three boys bravely defend their castle, but others are taken by giants. Can Jack defend his kingdom alone? Detailed, expressive illustrations.
by Peter Bentley
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Three boys bravely defend their castle, but others are taken by giants. Can Jack defend his kingdom alone? Detailed, expressive illustrations.
Kitten's Winter
written and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bright and beautiful collages follow a kitten's journey in the natural world on a blizzardy day.
written and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bright and beautiful collages follow a kitten's journey in the natural world on a blizzardy day.
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep?
by Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
It's time for bed, but creative distractions delay the inevitable in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Soft watercolors.
by Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
It's time for bed, but creative distractions delay the inevitable in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Soft watercolors.
Lala Salama
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Following a day's activities, this gentle story details the loving world of a Tanzanian baby. Warm oil paintings.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Following a day's activities, this gentle story details the loving world of a Tanzanian baby. Warm oil paintings.
Let's Count Goats!
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Jan Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bright,hilarious cartoon illustrations accompany an original approach to numerical concepts written in Ms. Fox's inimitable style.
by Mem Fox
Illustrator: Jan Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Bright,hilarious cartoon illustrations accompany an original approach to numerical concepts written in Ms. Fox's inimitable style.
Little Chicken's Big Day
written by Jerry Davis
Illustrator: Katie Davis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When Little Chicken falls behind on a day out, he finds himself lost, but luckily his mama is just a cluck away. Bright, outlined characters.
written by Jerry Davis
Illustrator: Katie Davis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
When Little Chicken falls behind on a day out, he finds himself lost, but luckily his mama is just a cluck away. Bright, outlined characters.
Little Mist
by Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Sarah Fox-Davies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Little Mist, a snow leopard cub, is led from the den of his birth out into the mountain world in which he will spend his life. Soft watercolor and pencil illustrations.
by Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Sarah Fox-Davies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Little Mist, a snow leopard cub, is led from the den of his birth out into the mountain world in which he will spend his life. Soft watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Little Pig Joins the Band
written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Too small to play an instrument like his sisters and brothers, Little Pig finds a way to help them make music together. Cheerful ink and watercolor drawings.
written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Too small to play an instrument like his sisters and brothers, Little Pig finds a way to help them make music together. Cheerful ink and watercolor drawings.
Little White Rabbit
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
As his imagination takes over, a little white rabbit tries out being tall or green or hard as stone. Simple acrylic and colored pencil illustrations.
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
As his imagination takes over, a little white rabbit tries out being tall or green or hard as stone. Simple acrylic and colored pencil illustrations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.