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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What If One Day . . .
Bruce Handy
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
With playful call and response, the author asks us to consider what would happen if various attributes of our daily lives were to disappear. Splashy illustrations, double-page spreads.
Bruce Handy
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
With playful call and response, the author asks us to consider what would happen if various attributes of our daily lives were to disappear. Splashy illustrations, double-page spreads.
Who I Am: Words I Tell Myself
Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this collection of gentle positive affirmations, a diverse group of children are encouraged to welcome the full range of emotions and speak kindly to themselves. Delicate watercolor art.
Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this collection of gentle positive affirmations, a diverse group of children are encouraged to welcome the full range of emotions and speak kindly to themselves. Delicate watercolor art.
Whose Egg Is That?
Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Kelsey Oseid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Color, shape, and texture are clues for pairing seven eggs with their parents. Double-page spreads capture the animals in their natural habitats. Bright, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Darrin Lunde
Illustrator: Kelsey Oseid
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Color, shape, and texture are clues for pairing seven eggs with their parents. Double-page spreads capture the animals in their natural habitats. Bright, colorful illustrations. Back matter.
Whose Prints?
Kari Allen
Illustrator: Kim Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Join a father and daughter as they walk through the snow, exploring animal tracks. Die-cut footprints add to the journey. Bright digital art.
Kari Allen
Illustrator: Kim Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Join a father and daughter as they walk through the snow, exploring animal tracks. Die-cut footprints add to the journey. Bright digital art.
Who Will Win? (I Like to Read series)
Arihhonni David
Illustrator: Arihhonni David
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A Native American elder tells the tale of a clever poky turtle who, with the help of his family, outraces a bear. Crisp cartoon digital art.
Arihhonni David
Illustrator: Arihhonni David
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A Native American elder tells the tale of a clever poky turtle who, with the help of his family, outraces a bear. Crisp cartoon digital art.
Wilderness, The
Steve McCarthy
Illustrator: Steve McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Fearful young Oktober Vasylenko leaves the safety of home and finds his courage. Witty, fanciful text and vibrant, dynamic digital art.
Steve McCarthy
Illustrator: Steve McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Fearful young Oktober Vasylenko leaves the safety of home and finds his courage. Witty, fanciful text and vibrant, dynamic digital art.
Wintergarden
Janet Fox
Illustrator: Jasu Hu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young girl helps her mother plant and harvest a winter herb garden on their kitchen windowsill. Told in free verse. Mixed-media illustrations.
Janet Fox
Illustrator: Jasu Hu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young girl helps her mother plant and harvest a winter herb garden on their kitchen windowsill. Told in free verse. Mixed-media illustrations.
Wishing Machine, The
Jonathan Hillman
Illustrator: Nadia Alam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On his final visit to the laundromat with his mom, Sam imagines a washing machine is a wishing machine. Will his wish to stay in his neighborhood be granted? Colored-pencil illustrations.
Jonathan Hillman
Illustrator: Nadia Alam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
On his final visit to the laundromat with his mom, Sam imagines a washing machine is a wishing machine. Will his wish to stay in his neighborhood be granted? Colored-pencil illustrations.
Wombat
Philip Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Simple cartoon-style paper-cut illustrations and short humorous lyrical word play give these endearing marsupials center stage in this heartwarming rhyming picture book.
Philip Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Simple cartoon-style paper-cut illustrations and short humorous lyrical word play give these endearing marsupials center stage in this heartwarming rhyming picture book.
Woo Hoo! You're Doing Great!
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An exuberant chicken, assisted by a supportive mouse, brings joyous encouragement to all. Bright cartoon art.
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An exuberant chicken, assisted by a supportive mouse, brings joyous encouragement to all. Bright cartoon art.
World and Everything in It, The
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Young children discover how they connect to the small, big, and in-between things around them and in the wider world. Gentle watercolor and brown ink illustrations.
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Young children discover how they connect to the small, big, and in-between things around them and in the wider world. Gentle watercolor and brown ink illustrations.
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends (Ready-to-Read Graphics series)
Kaz Windness
Illustrator: Kaz Windness
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Can Worm and Caterpillar still be best friends in spite of their differences? Cheery digital cartoon art adds to the lively fun for beginning readers.
Kaz Windness
Illustrator: Kaz Windness
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Can Worm and Caterpillar still be best friends in spite of their differences? Cheery digital cartoon art adds to the lively fun for beginning readers.
Woven of the World
Katey Howes
Illustrator: Dinara Mirtalipova
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Follow the many strands of a global, multicultural, multigenerational history of weaving, told in gorgeous verse. Vibrant illustrations. Back matter.
Katey Howes
Illustrator: Dinara Mirtalipova
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Follow the many strands of a global, multicultural, multigenerational history of weaving, told in gorgeous verse. Vibrant illustrations. Back matter.
You Are a Story
Bob Raczka
Illustrator: Kristen Howdeshell and Kevin Howdeshell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Tell your story to others. Then listen to theirs. An empowering and moving exploration of identity from many perspectives. Animated print-like digital illustrations.
Bob Raczka
Illustrator: Kristen Howdeshell and Kevin Howdeshell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Tell your story to others. Then listen to theirs. An empowering and moving exploration of identity from many perspectives. Animated print-like digital illustrations.
You Go First
Ariel Bernstein
Illustrator: Marc Rosenthal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Duck and Cat are excited to try the new slide until they're at the front of the line. Understated, amusing story. Simple, uncluttered illustrations support the text.
Ariel Bernstein
Illustrator: Marc Rosenthal
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Duck and Cat are excited to try the new slide until they're at the front of the line. Understated, amusing story. Simple, uncluttered illustrations support the text.
10 Things I Love about You!
Danielle McLean
Illustrator: Grace Habib
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
In this counting book, a child expresses her warm feelings for her mother. Rhyming text. Mixed-media illustrations with touch-and-feel textural elements.
Danielle McLean
Illustrator: Grace Habib
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
In this counting book, a child expresses her warm feelings for her mother. Rhyming text. Mixed-media illustrations with touch-and-feel textural elements.
13 Stories about Ayana
Amy Schwartz
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Ayana and her family, along with her friend, Harris, have many event-filled days. Bright, coloful gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations.
Amy Schwartz
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Ayana and her family, along with her friend, Harris, have many event-filled days. Bright, coloful gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations.
Abuelita and Me
Leonarda Carranza
Illustrator: Rafael Mayani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Indoors, a girl treasures quality time with her abuelita. But outdoors, Abuelita sometimes faces unkindness and racism. Together, the two find strength in each other. Vibrant, animated illustrations.
Leonarda Carranza
Illustrator: Rafael Mayani
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Indoors, a girl treasures quality time with her abuelita. But outdoors, Abuelita sometimes faces unkindness and racism. Together, the two find strength in each other. Vibrant, animated illustrations.
After the Buzz Comes the Bee: Lift-the Flap Animal Sounds
Rachel Isadora & Robie Rogge
Illustrator: Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Each whimsical, colorful, glossy double-page spread invites children to discover an animal, under the sturdy flap, that matches that creature's sound.
Rachel Isadora & Robie Rogge
Illustrator: Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Each whimsical, colorful, glossy double-page spread invites children to discover an animal, under the sturdy flap, that matches that creature's sound.
All Are Neighbors
Alexandra Penfold
Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Clear, simple text and cheerful, colorful mixed-media illustrations depict the elements that make up a community.
Alexandra Penfold
Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Clear, simple text and cheerful, colorful mixed-media illustrations depict the elements that make up a community.
Armadillo Antics
Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
Illustrator: Nathalie Beauvois
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Rhyming couplets introduce this nocturnal mammal as it runs, digs, eats, and eventually returns to its burrow at sunrise. Visually arresting mixed media art. Armadillo facts.
Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
Illustrator: Nathalie Beauvois
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Rhyming couplets introduce this nocturnal mammal as it runs, digs, eats, and eventually returns to its burrow at sunrise. Visually arresting mixed media art. Armadillo facts.
Baby's Here!
Jessica Young
Illustrator: Geneviève Godbout
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This interactive and playful rhyming celebration of the arrival of a new sibling is told from the perspective of diverse toddlers. Soft pastel illustrations.
Jessica Young
Illustrator: Geneviève Godbout
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This interactive and playful rhyming celebration of the arrival of a new sibling is told from the perspective of diverse toddlers. Soft pastel illustrations.
Ballet Kids
Holly Sterling
Illustrator: Holly Sterling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
In Mr. Elliot's dance class, Thomas and his friends move freely and are encouraged to experience the magic from within. Bright illustrations evoke pure joy.
Holly Sterling
Illustrator: Holly Sterling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
In Mr. Elliot's dance class, Thomas and his friends move freely and are encouraged to experience the magic from within. Bright illustrations evoke pure joy.
Bathe the Cat
Alice B. McGinty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Grandma's coming over soon, so it's time to clean up the house. But why does that keep getting harder and harder? Humorous, detailed illustrations provide a clue.
Alice B. McGinty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Grandma's coming over soon, so it's time to clean up the house. But why does that keep getting harder and harder? Humorous, detailed illustrations provide a clue.
Bearplane!
Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Sam Wedelich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A cub taking a first plane ride learns what to expect on the journey. Rhyming text and playful illustrations will provide excellent preparation for the youngest travelers.
Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Sam Wedelich
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A cub taking a first plane ride learns what to expect on the journey. Rhyming text and playful illustrations will provide excellent preparation for the youngest travelers.