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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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.
Where's Walrus?
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Walrus leaves the zoo in a search for adventure in this delightful, wordless book. Digital collage-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by Stephen Savage
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Walrus leaves the zoo in a search for adventure in this delightful, wordless book. Digital collage-like illustrations.
Who Has What?
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Nadine Bernard Westcott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Similarities and differences between genders are cleverly explored through dialog between a brother and sister. Colorful, explicit illustrations.
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Nadine Bernard Westcott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Similarities and differences between genders are cleverly explored through dialog between a brother and sister. Colorful, explicit illustrations.
Without You
written and illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Two animal friends argue and try doing things apart, but they discover that life is more fun together. Sweet, simple mixed-media illustrations.
written and illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Two animal friends argue and try doing things apart, but they discover that life is more fun together. Sweet, simple mixed-media illustrations.
Worms for Lunch?
written and illustrated by Leonid Gore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Simple text and bold, die-cut acrylic illustrations show what different animals enjoy for lunch.
written and illustrated by Leonid Gore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Simple text and bold, die-cut acrylic illustrations show what different animals enjoy for lunch.
Write On, Carlos!
written and illustrated by Stuart J. Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Young Carlos learns to write a very important word--his name! Cheerful cartoon-like illustrations.
written and illustrated by Stuart J. Murphy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Young Carlos learns to write a very important word--his name! Cheerful cartoon-like illustrations.
You Will Be My Friend
written and illustrated by Peter Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Lucy Bear tries very hard to make a new friend. Maybe too hard. Bold multimedia illustrations add to the humor.
written and illustrated by Peter Brown
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
Lucy Bear tries very hard to make a new friend. Maybe too hard. Bold multimedia illustrations add to the humor.
ZooZical
by Judy Sierra
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
To ward off the doldrums when the zoo is closed by a snow storm, the animals prepare a musical jamboree and display their talents. Rollicking rhyming text and colorful gouache illustrations.
by Judy Sierra
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2011
To ward off the doldrums when the zoo is closed by a snow storm, the animals prepare a musical jamboree and display their talents. Rollicking rhyming text and colorful gouache illustrations.
A Balloon for Isabel
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Laura Rankin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Porcupines plus balloons are not a good combination, but Isabel has a plan. Cheerful gouache illustrations.
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Laura Rankin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Porcupines plus balloons are not a good combination, but Isabel has a plan. Cheerful gouache illustrations.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
written and ill. by Ashley Bryan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Armed with his mother's scissors, Ashley Bryan creates a collage world that brings Cecil Alexander's hymn to life and takes the reader on a bright journey.
written and ill. by Ashley Bryan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Armed with his mother's scissors, Ashley Bryan creates a collage world that brings Cecil Alexander's hymn to life and takes the reader on a bright journey.
And I Love You
by Ruth Krauss
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
New illustrations enhance the simple, rhythmic text in this gentle, affirmative celebration of love.
by Ruth Krauss
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
New illustrations enhance the simple, rhythmic text in this gentle, affirmative celebration of love.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
by Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
When a zookeeper stays home with a cold, his bereft animal friends take care of him. Soft, muted illustrations.
by Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
When a zookeeper stays home with a cold, his bereft animal friends take care of him. Soft, muted illustrations.