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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Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny!
written and ill. by Jan Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Can rhyming save the dust bunnies from a big bully? Find out and laugh along the way. Simple, colorful illustrations.
written and ill. by Jan Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Can rhyming save the dust bunnies from a big bully? Find out and laugh along the way. Simple, colorful illustrations.
Higher! Higher!
written and ill. by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Clever, minimal text and bold acrylic drawings turn a swing ride into an out-of-this-world adventure.
written and ill. by Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Clever, minimal text and bold acrylic drawings turn a swing ride into an out-of-this-world adventure.
Hugging Hour!
written and ill. by Aileen Leijten
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Drool has many anxious moments on her first sleepover at Grandma's. Playful watercolor illustrations add to the gentle voice.
written and ill. by Aileen Leijten
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Drool has many anxious moments on her first sleepover at Grandma's. Playful watercolor illustrations add to the gentle voice.
I Can Do it Myself!
by Diane Adams
Illustrator: Nancy Hayashi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Pen, pencil, and watercolor drawings and a rhyming text tell the “truth” about Emily, who can do many things herself, but doesn't mind some help at bedtime.
by Diane Adams
Illustrator: Nancy Hayashi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Pen, pencil, and watercolor drawings and a rhyming text tell the “truth” about Emily, who can do many things herself, but doesn't mind some help at bedtime.
I Love Chocolate
by Davide Cali
Illustrator: Evelyn Daviddi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The good smells, yummy taste, different colors, and shapes of chocolate are described as a means of comfort and celebration and sharing. Stylized cartoons.
by Davide Cali
Illustrator: Evelyn Daviddi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The good smells, yummy taste, different colors, and shapes of chocolate are described as a means of comfort and celebration and sharing. Stylized cartoons.
I'm Your Bus
by Marilyn Singer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Rollicking, rhyming read aloud follows a cartoony, cheerful school bus as it rolls through the day.
by Marilyn Singer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Rollicking, rhyming read aloud follows a cartoony, cheerful school bus as it rolls through the day.
It's Picture Day Today!
by Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A lively assortment of school art supplies gets ready for picture day. Colorful cut paper illustrations.
by Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A lively assortment of school art supplies gets ready for picture day. Colorful cut paper illustrations.
Itty Bitty
written and ill. by Cece Bell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A very tiny dog establishes himself in a great big world. Brightly colored acrylic and ink illustrations.
written and ill. by Cece Bell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A very tiny dog establishes himself in a great big world. Brightly colored acrylic and ink illustrations.
Jeremy Draws a Monster
written and ill. by Peter McCarty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Afraid to venture outside, Jeremy discovers that creating a companion in the safety of his bedroom can lead to havoc. Humorous pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Peter McCarty
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Afraid to venture outside, Jeremy discovers that creating a companion in the safety of his bedroom can lead to havoc. Humorous pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy
written and ill. by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
When two friends cannot agree on what they want to do on the playground, they discover the benefits of compromise. Expressive illustrations.
written and ill. by David Soman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
When two friends cannot agree on what they want to do on the playground, they discover the benefits of compromise. Expressive illustrations.
Leaf Trouble
by Jonathan Emmett
Illustrator: Caroline Jayne Church
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
At the first sign of fall, two squirrels have difficulty trying to attach leaves to save their tree, until their mother explains the change of seasons. Vibrant ink and collage illustrations.
by Jonathan Emmett
Illustrator: Caroline Jayne Church
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
At the first sign of fall, two squirrels have difficulty trying to attach leaves to save their tree, until their mother explains the change of seasons. Vibrant ink and collage illustrations.
Little Chick
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Anita Jeram
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Little Chick experiences simple lessons in patience, tenacity, courage, and acceptance. Soft pencil and watercolor illustrations.
by Amy Hest
Illustrator: Anita Jeram
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Little Chick experiences simple lessons in patience, tenacity, courage, and acceptance. Soft pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Llama Llama Misses Mama
written and ill. by Anna Dewdney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The first day of nursery school is hard for little Llama. Rhymed text and energetic illustrations convey reassurance.
written and ill. by Anna Dewdney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The first day of nursery school is hard for little Llama. Rhymed text and energetic illustrations convey reassurance.
Machines Go to Work
written and ill. by William Low
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A backhoe, fire truck, and other vehicles help a community in its daily tasks. A clever use of flaps solves the mystery in each spread. Computer-generated illustrations.
written and ill. by William Low
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A backhoe, fire truck, and other vehicles help a community in its daily tasks. A clever use of flaps solves the mystery in each spread. Computer-generated illustrations.
Maggie's Monkeys
by Lisa Sanders-Wells
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A brother learns to accept his younger sister's imaginary friends. Told with gentle humor and colorful ink and gouache drawings.
by Lisa Sanders-Wells
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A brother learns to accept his younger sister's imaginary friends. Told with gentle humor and colorful ink and gouache drawings.
Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!
by Samantha Berger
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Martha, depicted delightfully in watercolor illustrations, learns to apologize to Mom, Dad, and baby brother.
by Samantha Berger
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Martha, depicted delightfully in watercolor illustrations, learns to apologize to Mom, Dad, and baby brother.
Me with You
by Kristy Dempsey
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A little bear describes in rhyme the things she enjoys doing with her grandfather. Expressive computer-generated illustrations.
by Kristy Dempsey
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A little bear describes in rhyme the things she enjoys doing with her grandfather. Expressive computer-generated illustrations.
Millie's Marvelous Hat
written and ill. by Satoshi Kitamura
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Inspired by a creative hat shop salesman, Millie imagines fanciful hats as expressions of the people and places around her. Whimsical ink and gouache illustrations.
written and ill. by Satoshi Kitamura
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Inspired by a creative hat shop salesman, Millie imagines fanciful hats as expressions of the people and places around her. Whimsical ink and gouache illustrations.
Molly Who Flew Away
written and ill. by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
When Molly joins her friends at each one's favorite activity at the fair, she discovers the value of their friendship. Whimsical watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations.
written and ill. by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
When Molly joins her friends at each one's favorite activity at the fair, she discovers the value of their friendship. Whimsical watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations.
Mommy, Mama, and Me
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Carol Thompson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
See: Daddy, Papa, and Me
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Carol Thompson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
See: Daddy, Papa, and Me
Mommy, Where are You?
written and ill. by Leonid Gore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Clever acrylic illustrations add to the suspense when a little mouse searches the meadow for his Mommy.
written and ill. by Leonid Gore
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Clever acrylic illustrations add to the suspense when a little mouse searches the meadow for his Mommy.
Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem
written and ill. by Chris Monroe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Chico hears a noise in his house and sets out with his tool belt to fix it. Amusing watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and ill. by Chris Monroe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Chico hears a noise in his house and sets out with his tool belt to fix it. Amusing watercolor and ink illustrations.
Nanook & Pryce
by Ned Crowley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Braving sharks and giant squid is all in a day's work for Nanook and Pryce when they get caught in a cross-global fishing adventure. Humorous watercolors.
by Ned Crowley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Braving sharks and giant squid is all in a day's work for Nanook and Pryce when they get caught in a cross-global fishing adventure. Humorous watercolors.
Not Last Night but the Night Before
by Colin McNaughton
Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The calm of the night is interrupted when nursery rhyme visitors arrive in a rush for a birthday surprise. Rhyming text and colorful pencil and acrylic illustrations.
by Colin McNaughton
Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The calm of the night is interrupted when nursery rhyme visitors arrive in a rush for a birthday surprise. Rhyming text and colorful pencil and acrylic illustrations.
Ocean's Child
by Christine Ford
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Vibrant illustrations and a lyrical lullaby bring the natural world of the Arctic to life.
by Christine Ford
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Vibrant illustrations and a lyrical lullaby bring the natural world of the Arctic to life.