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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Hey, Rabbit!
written and ill. by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Is there anything left in rabbit's magical suitcase after he gives his friends what they request when he opens the lid? Whimsical watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Sergio Ruzzier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Is there anything left in rabbit's magical suitcase after he gives his friends what they request when he opens the lid? Whimsical watercolor illustrations.
Hibernation Station
by Michelle Meadows
Illustrator: Kurt Cyrus
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
For the very young “reader”, this gentle introduction to the concept of hibernation has rhymed couplets with bold, engaging illustrations.
by Michelle Meadows
Illustrator: Kurt Cyrus
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
For the very young “reader”, this gentle introduction to the concept of hibernation has rhymed couplets with bold, engaging illustrations.
Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks
by Barbara Joosse
Illustrator: Rick Chrustowski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
When mama hen hatches seven energetic and curious chicks, it takes lots of help to keep them safe. Colorful collage and pencil illustrations.
by Barbara Joosse
Illustrator: Rick Chrustowski
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
When mama hen hatches seven energetic and curious chicks, it takes lots of help to keep them safe. Colorful collage and pencil illustrations.
Hop a Little, Jump a Little!
ill. by Annie Kubler
Illustrator: Annie Kubler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Four familiar nursery rhymes are accompanied by musical notes and boldly colored, humorous illustrations. Board book.
ill. by Annie Kubler
Illustrator: Annie Kubler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Four familiar nursery rhymes are accompanied by musical notes and boldly colored, humorous illustrations. Board book.
Hot Rod Hamster
by Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Derek Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A hamster wants to build a super-fast race car; can you help him? Cheerful, action-packed acrylics add to the fun.
by Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Derek Anderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A hamster wants to build a super-fast race car; can you help him? Cheerful, action-packed acrylics add to the fun.
How Does a Seed Grow?
by Sue Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Watch real seeds grow into big plants with fold-out photographs.
by Sue Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Watch real seeds grow into big plants with fold-out photographs.
How Rocket learned to Read
written and ill. by Tad Hills
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A playful dog and a bird who teaches the alphabet join forces to become readers. Soft, oil paint and colored pencil illustrations.
written and ill. by Tad Hills
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A playful dog and a bird who teaches the alphabet join forces to become readers. Soft, oil paint and colored pencil illustrations.
Humpty Dumpty
ill. by Annie Kubler
Illustrator: Annie Kubler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
See “Hop a Little, Jump a Little!”
ill. by Annie Kubler
Illustrator: Annie Kubler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
See “Hop a Little, Jump a Little!”
Hush, Little Horsie
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Ruth Sanderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Soothing repetitive rhymes with stunning full-color illustrations show a variety of horses.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Ruth Sanderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Soothing repetitive rhymes with stunning full-color illustrations show a variety of horses.
I Am a Backhoe
written and ill. by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Truck lovers will find their favorites here. Bold illustrations.
written and ill. by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Truck lovers will find their favorites here. Bold illustrations.
I Can Help
written and ill. by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A chain of helpfulness begins when monkey comes to the aid of lost little duck. Bright, colorful illustrations.
written and ill. by David Hyde Costello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A chain of helpfulness begins when monkey comes to the aid of lost little duck. Bright, colorful illustrations.
I'm Big!
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Jim McMullan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
An appealing sauropod, a big lizard, oversleeps and hastens to catch up with his pals before predators get him. Appropriately creepy pastels.
by Kate McMullan
Illustrator: Jim McMullan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
An appealing sauropod, a big lizard, oversleeps and hastens to catch up with his pals before predators get him. Appropriately creepy pastels.
I'm the Best
written and ill. by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Dog's friends try to teach him a gentle lesson about bragging. Will it be effective? Vibrant, humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Lucy Cousins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Dog's friends try to teach him a gentle lesson about bragging. Will it be effective? Vibrant, humorous illustrations.
Kindergarten Day: USA and China
by Tricia Marx
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Half the book shows a kindergarten in Beijing. When flipped, visit a classroom in Schenectady, New York and view the similarities and differences. Photographs enhance the tale.
by Tricia Marx
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Half the book shows a kindergarten in Beijing. When flipped, visit a classroom in Schenectady, New York and view the similarities and differences. Photographs enhance the tale.
Kindergarten Diary
written and ill. by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Annalina describes the first month of ‘big school', and her fears ultimately turn to self-confidence. Bright, digitally created drawings.
written and ill. by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Annalina describes the first month of ‘big school', and her fears ultimately turn to self-confidence. Bright, digitally created drawings.
Let's Say HI to Friends Who fly!
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
See: Cat the Cat: Who is That?
written and ill. by Mo Willems
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
See: Cat the Cat: Who is That?
Lion's Lunch?
by Fiona Tierney
Illustrator: Margaret Chamberlain
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Excellent vocabulary, humorous illustrations, and a truthful girl help lion see that he can be more than a bully.
by Fiona Tierney
Illustrator: Margaret Chamberlain
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Excellent vocabulary, humorous illustrations, and a truthful girl help lion see that he can be more than a bully.
Little Black Crow
written and ill. by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A simple, yet elegant rhyming text matches the marvelous watercolor illustrations and expresses a boy's wonderment at a crow's life.
written and ill. by Chris Raschka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A simple, yet elegant rhyming text matches the marvelous watercolor illustrations and expresses a boy's wonderment at a crow's life.
Lively Elizabeth!
by Mara Bergman
Illustrator: Cassia Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A chain of disasters is set off when Elizabeth pushes one of her friends at school. Detailed illustrations add to the mayhem.
by Mara Bergman
Illustrator: Cassia Thomas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A chain of disasters is set off when Elizabeth pushes one of her friends at school. Detailed illustrations add to the mayhem.
Maggie's Ball
written and ill. by Lindsay Barrett George
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A playful dog, Maggie, loses her ball and finds a friend. Simple, colorful, gouache illustrations.
written and ill. by Lindsay Barrett George
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A playful dog, Maggie, loses her ball and finds a friend. Simple, colorful, gouache illustrations.
Mama, Is It Summer Yet?
written and ill. by Nikki McClure
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A mother helps her son notice the signs that spring is turning into summer. Cut-paper illustrations.
written and ill. by Nikki McClure
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A mother helps her son notice the signs that spring is turning into summer. Cut-paper illustrations.
Miss Brooks Loves Books!(and I don't)
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
An enthusiastic librarian helps a stubbornly resistant youngster find her own passion for books. Humorous cartoon-like pencil and watercolor drawings.
by Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
An enthusiastic librarian helps a stubbornly resistant youngster find her own passion for books. Humorous cartoon-like pencil and watercolor drawings.
My Father is Taller than a Tree
by Joseph Bruchac
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Describes in rhyming text the many different ways fathers play,help, comfort, and teach their sons. Expressive, detailed pencil and crayon illustrations.
by Joseph Bruchac
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
Describes in rhyming text the many different ways fathers play,help, comfort, and teach their sons. Expressive, detailed pencil and crayon illustrations.
My Garden
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A young girl helps her mother weed the garden and imagines growing seashells, jelly bean bushes, and more. Bright, colorful illustrations.
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A young girl helps her mother weed the garden and imagines growing seashells, jelly bean bushes, and more. Bright, colorful illustrations.
Nini Lost and Found
written and ill. by Anita Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A door is left ajar, a house cat ventures out and discovers there is no place like home. Lush gouache and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Anita Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2010
A door is left ajar, a house cat ventures out and discovers there is no place like home. Lush gouache and watercolor illustrations.