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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A Penguin Story
written and ill. by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Edna, a bullet-shaped penguin, yearns to see a color other than white, the blue of the sky, and the black of the night. Simple, whimsical illustrations.
written and ill. by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Edna, a bullet-shaped penguin, yearns to see a color other than white, the blue of the sky, and the black of the night. Simple, whimsical illustrations.
A Very Curious Bear
by Tony Mitton
Illustrator: Paul Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Charming rhymed text and captivating illustrations explain the wonders of the world on a given day. Perfect for reading aloud.
by Tony Mitton
Illustrator: Paul Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Charming rhymed text and captivating illustrations explain the wonders of the world on a given day. Perfect for reading aloud.
A Walk With Grandpa
by Sharon K. Solomon
Illustrator: Pamela Barcita
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Daniela and her grandpa take a walk in the woods and show what they mean to one another with amusing word games. Realistic illustrations.
by Sharon K. Solomon
Illustrator: Pamela Barcita
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Daniela and her grandpa take a walk in the woods and show what they mean to one another with amusing word games. Realistic illustrations.
A World of Colors
written and photographed by Marie Houblon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Captivating photographs focus attention on the many hues that surround us.
written and photographed by Marie Houblon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Captivating photographs focus attention on the many hues that surround us.
Bears on Chairs
by Shirley Parenteau
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Not a chair to share...then one more bear! Friendly bears find that there is always room for more when we care for others. Delicate but expressive acrylic illustrations.
by Shirley Parenteau
Illustrator: David Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Not a chair to share...then one more bear! Friendly bears find that there is always room for more when we care for others. Delicate but expressive acrylic illustrations.
Betsy B. Little
by Anne McEvoy
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Mocked for being too tall, even for a giraffe, Betsy dreams of becoming a ballerina. Will her dream come true? Humorous, colorful illustrations
by Anne McEvoy
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Mocked for being too tall, even for a giraffe, Betsy dreams of becoming a ballerina. Will her dream come true? Humorous, colorful illustrations
Big Wolf and Little Wolf
by Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Big wolf doesn't think he wants Little Wolf to share his tree, then Little Wolf disappears. Enticing pastel illustrations.
by Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Big wolf doesn't think he wants Little Wolf to share his tree, then Little Wolf disappears. Enticing pastel illustrations.
Big Wolf & Little Wolf
by Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Little Wolf observes the world while Big Wolf teaches patience and a different kind of observation. Soft, impressionistic paintings.
by Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Little Wolf observes the world while Big Wolf teaches patience and a different kind of observation. Soft, impressionistic paintings.
Birds
by Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
When a young girl observes the shapes and sounds of a variety of birds, it sparks her imagination. Vivid, expressive acrylic illustrations.
by Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
When a young girl observes the shapes and sounds of a variety of birds, it sparks her imagination. Vivid, expressive acrylic illustrations.
Boats
by Patricia Hubbell
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A vibrant mix of paintings, drawings, clip-art, and verse depicts all types of boats and their uses. Informative and fun.
by Patricia Hubbell
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A vibrant mix of paintings, drawings, clip-art, and verse depicts all types of boats and their uses. Informative and fun.
Book Fiesta!
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Simple, bilingual text and fanciful colorful illustrations convey the joys of reading.
by Pat Mora
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Simple, bilingual text and fanciful colorful illustrations convey the joys of reading.
Budgie & Boo
written and ill. by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Budgie bear and Boo, a rabbit, work together in their garden, solve problems for each other and are the best of friends. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.
written and ill. by David McPhail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Budgie bear and Boo, a rabbit, work together in their garden, solve problems for each other and are the best of friends. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.
Busy Chickens
by John Schindel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Eye-catching photographs and simple, amusing rhymes illustrate this day of “busy, busy chickens.”
by John Schindel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Eye-catching photographs and simple, amusing rhymes illustrate this day of “busy, busy chickens.”
Bye-Bye, Baby!
by Richard Morris
Illustrator: Larry Day
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Felix thinks his baby sister should go back where she came from, but then she finds a way to prove her worth. Animated pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Richard Morris
Illustrator: Larry Day
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Felix thinks his baby sister should go back where she came from, but then she finds a way to prove her worth. Animated pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations.
Camping Day
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Four crocodile friends are back, ready for an adventure in the woods--or are they? Amusing black pencil and photoshop illustrations.
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Four crocodile friends are back, ready for an adventure in the woods--or are they? Amusing black pencil and photoshop illustrations.
Cat
by Matthew Van Fleet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A variety of cats and their antics are described through expressive photographs and rhyming text. Playful interactive components.
by Matthew Van Fleet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A variety of cats and their antics are described through expressive photographs and rhyming text. Playful interactive components.
Chicken Little
written and ill. by Rebecca Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Brightly colored illustrations and humorous text make this an exuberant retelling of a favorite tale.
written and ill. by Rebecca Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Brightly colored illustrations and humorous text make this an exuberant retelling of a favorite tale.
Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep!
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Beppe Giacobbe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The sights and sounds of the city are conveyed in simple rhymes and colorful computer-generated art.
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Beppe Giacobbe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The sights and sounds of the city are conveyed in simple rhymes and colorful computer-generated art.
Come to the Fairies' Ball
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Gary Lippincott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A joyful rhyming story tells of a fairies' ball. Amusing, imaginative illustrations.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Gary Lippincott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A joyful rhyming story tells of a fairies' ball. Amusing, imaginative illustrations.
Creature abc
written and photographed by Andrew Zuckerman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Breathtaking photographs offer an up-close, alphabetical look at the animal kingdom. Includes fascinating facts about each animal.
written and photographed by Andrew Zuckerman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Breathtaking photographs offer an up-close, alphabetical look at the animal kingdom. Includes fascinating facts about each animal.
Daddy, Papa, and Me
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Carol Thompson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Same sex parents enjoy the pleasures of everyday life with their toddler. Easy rhyming text and attractive mixed-media illustrations.
by Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Carol Thompson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Same sex parents enjoy the pleasures of everyday life with their toddler. Easy rhyming text and attractive mixed-media illustrations.
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime
written and ill. by Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A feisty dinosaur takes on a number of challenges, the most formidable of which is going to sleep. Bold, mixed-media illustrations
written and ill. by Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A feisty dinosaur takes on a number of challenges, the most formidable of which is going to sleep. Bold, mixed-media illustrations
Dinotrux
written and ill. by Chris Gall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Millions of years ago, dinotrux, the ancestors of our modern trucks, ruled the world! Illustrated with dynamic mechanical monsters.
written and ill. by Chris Gall
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Millions of years ago, dinotrux, the ancestors of our modern trucks, ruled the world! Illustrated with dynamic mechanical monsters.
Don't Lick the Dog
written and ill. by Wendy Wahman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Simple rhyming text and vibrant, playful drawings offer good advice to young children who encounter new dogs.
written and ill. by Wendy Wahman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Simple rhyming text and vibrant, playful drawings offer good advice to young children who encounter new dogs.
Doodle Bites
written and ill. by Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Everyday issues for the very young are handled with humor and simple, bright mixed-media illustrations.
written and ill. by Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Everyday issues for the very young are handled with humor and simple, bright mixed-media illustrations.