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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Barn in Winter: Safe and Warm on the Farm
Chambrae Griffith
Illustrator: Taia Morley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
It's cold and snowy, but all the farm animals are happy and cozy in the barn. Sweet illustrations using warm and soothing colors.
Chambrae Griffith
Illustrator: Taia Morley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
It's cold and snowy, but all the farm animals are happy and cozy in the barn. Sweet illustrations using warm and soothing colors.
Bear Is Never Alone
Marc Veerkamp
Illustrator: Jeska Verstegen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Pianist Bear needs a break, but the forest creatures keep demanding more music. Can gentle Zebra help out? Stark black, white, and red illustrations.
Marc Veerkamp
Illustrator: Jeska Verstegen
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Pianist Bear needs a break, but the forest creatures keep demanding more music. Can gentle Zebra help out? Stark black, white, and red illustrations.
Bear with me
Kerascoët
Illustrator: Kerascoët
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A toddler copes when they have to leave a well-loved stuffed bear home on the first day of school. Ink and watercolor illustrations convey the nearly wordless story splendidly.
Kerascoët
Illustrator: Kerascoët
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A toddler copes when they have to leave a well-loved stuffed bear home on the first day of school. Ink and watercolor illustrations convey the nearly wordless story splendidly.
Bed of Stars, A
Jessica Love
Illustrator: Jessica Love
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
To alleviate his son's nighttime fears, a father takes him on a camping trip to connect him to a universe that he can trust. Scenic illustrations in soft colors.
Jessica Love
Illustrator: Jessica Love
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
To alleviate his son's nighttime fears, a father takes him on a camping trip to connect him to a universe that he can trust. Scenic illustrations in soft colors.
Beneath
Cori Doerrfeld
Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
To heal Finn's grief, Grandpa draws him outside for a walk. An ode to the magic of looking below the surface. Cozy digital artwork grounds the lofty themes.
Cori Doerrfeld
Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
To heal Finn's grief, Grandpa draws him outside for a walk. An ode to the magic of looking below the surface. Cozy digital artwork grounds the lofty themes.
Bibi
Jo Weaver
Illustrator: Jo Weaver
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Bibi (Swahili for “grandmother”), the oldest flamingo in the flock, must guide her chicks across drought-stricken land to water. Can she survive the arduous trek? Atmospheric charcoal and digital illustrations.
Jo Weaver
Illustrator: Jo Weaver
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Bibi (Swahili for “grandmother”), the oldest flamingo in the flock, must guide her chicks across drought-stricken land to water. Can she survive the arduous trek? Atmospheric charcoal and digital illustrations.
Biggest Mistake, The
Camilla Pintonato
Illustrator: Camilla Pintonato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young lion goes to hilarious lengths to catch a clever gazelle. Can he do it? And what will happen when he does? Zany cartoon-style digital art.
Camilla Pintonato
Illustrator: Camilla Pintonato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young lion goes to hilarious lengths to catch a clever gazelle. Can he do it? And what will happen when he does? Zany cartoon-style digital art.
Big Kids No Everything
Wednesday Kirwan
Illustrator: Wednesday Kirwan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Kids say "no" in different situations as they are growing up and learning to be independent. Children interact with adults and animals in the amusing digital illustrations.
Wednesday Kirwan
Illustrator: Wednesday Kirwan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Kids say "no" in different situations as they are growing up and learning to be independent. Children interact with adults and animals in the amusing digital illustrations.
Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep!
Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
Illustrator: Nathalie Beauvois
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Chime in and bounce along with a child and his toy car. Rhyming text can be sung to the tune of "This Old Man." Vibrant acrylic art.
Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
Illustrator: Nathalie Beauvois
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Chime in and bounce along with a child and his toy car. Rhyming text can be sung to the tune of "This Old Man." Vibrant acrylic art.
B Is for Bananas
Carrie Tillotson
Illustrator: Estrella Lourenço
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Guided by zany alphabet hijinks, wild banana flees bedtime. Engaging cartoon-style digital art.
Carrie Tillotson
Illustrator: Estrella Lourenço
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Guided by zany alphabet hijinks, wild banana flees bedtime. Engaging cartoon-style digital art.
Black Girls: A Celebration of You!
Dominique Furukawa
Illustrator: Erika Lynne Jones
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Lively and musical text honors Black girls of every shade, size, and culture while exploring the many asepcts of Black girlhood. Bright, whimsical, collage-like digital illustrations.
Dominique Furukawa
Illustrator: Erika Lynne Jones
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Lively and musical text honors Black girls of every shade, size, and culture while exploring the many asepcts of Black girlhood. Bright, whimsical, collage-like digital illustrations.
Book from Far Away, The
Bruce Handy
Illustrator: Julie Benbassat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A boy witnesses an alien landing, exchanges technology with a visitor, and forges a powerful connection. A wordless narrative with dynamic digital and mixed-media illustrations.
Bruce Handy
Illustrator: Julie Benbassat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A boy witnesses an alien landing, exchanges technology with a visitor, and forges a powerful connection. A wordless narrative with dynamic digital and mixed-media illustrations.
Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons, The
Leanne Hatch
Illustrator: Leanne Hatch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Violet is thrilled with her brand-new box of crayons. Then her younger sister draws a picture for her, ruining their perfect points. Digitally created color illustrations.
Leanne Hatch
Illustrator: Leanne Hatch
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Violet is thrilled with her brand-new box of crayons. Then her younger sister draws a picture for her, ruining their perfect points. Digitally created color illustrations.
Brave Little Bear
Steve Small
Illustrator: Steve Small
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Arlo finds it hard to be brave . . . until his sister gets lost on a snowy mountain trek. Expressive, painterly art.
Steve Small
Illustrator: Steve Small
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Arlo finds it hard to be brave . . . until his sister gets lost on a snowy mountain trek. Expressive, painterly art.
BrindleFox
John Sandford
Illustrator: John Sandford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An unlikely connection forms between a surly fox with a tree growing from his back and a cheeky heron playing in the branches. Bright, energetic oil paintings.
John Sandford
Illustrator: John Sandford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An unlikely connection forms between a surly fox with a tree growing from his back and a cheeky heron playing in the branches. Bright, energetic oil paintings.
Bunny & Tree
Balint Zsako
Illustrator: Balint Zsako
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Hand-painted scenes tell the heartwarming, wordless story of a rabbit separated from its friends, and the shape-shifting tree that becomes a loyal companion. The drama unfolds in nine acts.
Balint Zsako
Illustrator: Balint Zsako
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Hand-painted scenes tell the heartwarming, wordless story of a rabbit separated from its friends, and the shape-shifting tree that becomes a loyal companion. The drama unfolds in nine acts.
Cape
Kevin Johnson
Illustrator: Kitt Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Cloaked in a cape given to him by his dad, a young brown-skinned boy finds strength and resilience on the day of his father's funeral. Immersive digital art.
Kevin Johnson
Illustrator: Kitt Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Cloaked in a cape given to him by his dad, a young brown-skinned boy finds strength and resilience on the day of his father's funeral. Immersive digital art.
Catside Up, Catside Down: A Book of Prepositions
Anna Hrachovec
Illustrator: Anna Hrachovec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Quirky cat behaviors help introduce prepositions to young readers. Each photographed, colorful knitted kitty is positioned to express its relation to another object.
Anna Hrachovec
Illustrator: Anna Hrachovec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Quirky cat behaviors help introduce prepositions to young readers. Each photographed, colorful knitted kitty is positioned to express its relation to another object.
Chloe's Lunar New Year
Lily LaMotte
Illustrator: Kitt Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young girl can't wait to celebrate the holiday with her family, carrying out old traditions and helping to prepare a feast. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Lily LaMotte
Illustrator: Kitt Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young girl can't wait to celebrate the holiday with her family, carrying out old traditions and helping to prepare a feast. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
Cicada Symphony
Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Gareth Lucas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Lively rhyming text and fun facts invite readers to explore these raucous insects. Colorful digital art. Back matter.
Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Gareth Lucas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Lively rhyming text and fun facts invite readers to explore these raucous insects. Colorful digital art. Back matter.
Concrete Garden, The
Bob Graham
Illustrator: Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
To celebrate the arrival of spring, a diverse group of neighborhood kids get together and create a colorful chalk garden outside their building. Exuberant watercolor and ink illustrations.
Bob Graham
Illustrator: Bob Graham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
To celebrate the arrival of spring, a diverse group of neighborhood kids get together and create a colorful chalk garden outside their building. Exuberant watercolor and ink illustrations.
Daddy & Me, Side by Side
Pierce Freelon
Illustrator: Nadia Fisher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On a camping trip, a brown-skinned father and son's experiences hiking, fishing, and meditating in nature evoke memories of the boy's beloved grandfather. Lush, emotive illustrations.
Pierce Freelon
Illustrator: Nadia Fisher
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On a camping trip, a brown-skinned father and son's experiences hiking, fishing, and meditating in nature evoke memories of the boy's beloved grandfather. Lush, emotive illustrations.
Dear Stray
Kirsten Hubbard
Illustrator: Susan Gal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Diary entries reveal how a young girl and her adopted stray kitten learn to connect and trust each other. Animated, digitally assembled watercolor and ink illustrations.
Kirsten Hubbard
Illustrator: Susan Gal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Diary entries reveal how a young girl and her adopted stray kitten learn to connect and trust each other. Animated, digitally assembled watercolor and ink illustrations.
Delicious Story, A
Barney Saltzberg
Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Little Mouse wants a story, but Big Mouse has eaten it. Cartoon-style illustrations on white background follow sparse conversational text, leading to a surprise ending.
Barney Saltzberg
Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Little Mouse wants a story, but Big Mouse has eaten it. Cartoon-style illustrations on white background follow sparse conversational text, leading to a surprise ending.
Día de Muertos Números: A Day of the Dead Counting Book
Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Family members add items, on successive pages, to an altar to honor a departed loved one. Bold, stylized images evoke Mesoamerican art. Bilingual in Spanish and English.
Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Family members add items, on successive pages, to an altar to honor a departed loved one. Bold, stylized images evoke Mesoamerican art. Bilingual in Spanish and English.