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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Do You Love Me?
written and ill. by Joost Elffers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Appealing, simple, colorful, and friendly faces look for and get reassurances on a very big question.
written and ill. by Joost Elffers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Appealing, simple, colorful, and friendly faces look for and get reassurances on a very big question.
Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin
written and ill. by Tad Hills
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Two friends search for a pumpkin in unlikely places. Evocative oil paintings.
written and ill. by Tad Hills
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Two friends search for a pumpkin in unlikely places. Evocative oil paintings.
Duck! Rabbit!
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Two unseen voices try to discover what a curious animal is. Bold ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Two unseen voices try to discover what a curious animal is. Bold ink and watercolor illustrations.
Duck Tents
by Lynne Berry
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
In rhythmic, rhyming text, five ducks enjoy the outdoors and snuggle up tight before they drift off to sleep. Lively watercolors.
by Lynne Berry
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
In rhythmic, rhyming text, five ducks enjoy the outdoors and snuggle up tight before they drift off to sleep. Lively watercolors.
Find My Feet
written and ill. by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Help! Little critters have their feet mixed up. Unscrambling the silly combinations turns out to be as much fun as scrambling them again.
written and ill. by Salina Yoon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Help! Little critters have their feet mixed up. Unscrambling the silly combinations turns out to be as much fun as scrambling them again.
Finn Throws a Fit!
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The impact of a child's tantrums on the household is described through a short, powerful text. Dynamic charcoal, oil paint, and pencil illustrations.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The impact of a child's tantrums on the household is described through a short, powerful text. Dynamic charcoal, oil paint, and pencil illustrations.
Flying Eagle
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Deborah Kogan Ray
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Vivid watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the African savannah at night as seen by a hungry eagle.
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Deborah Kogan Ray
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Vivid watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the African savannah at night as seen by a hungry eagle.
Gilbert the Surfer Dude
written and ill. by Diane deGroat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Gilbert's humorous adventures at the beach are presented in an easy-to-read format. Captivating watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Diane deGroat
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Gilbert's humorous adventures at the beach are presented in an easy-to-read format. Captivating watercolor illustrations.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
written and ill. by Gennady Spirin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Sumptuous watercolors illuminate simple retelling of this classic story set in the Renaissance era.
written and ill. by Gennady Spirin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Sumptuous watercolors illuminate simple retelling of this classic story set in the Renaissance era.
Good Night, Tiptoe
written and ill. by Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
See: Doodle Bites
written and ill. by Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
See: Doodle Bites
Hanukkah Lights
by David Martin
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The many features of Hanukkah, from eating latkes to lighting the menorah candles, are presented with simple text and colorful illustrations.
by David Martin
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
The many features of Hanukkah, from eating latkes to lighting the menorah candles, are presented with simple text and colorful illustrations.
Harriet's Had Enough!
by Elissa Haden Guest
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A raccoon's determination to leave home after a fight with her mother results in a surprise. Animated mixed-media illustrations.
by Elissa Haden Guest
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A raccoon's determination to leave home after a fight with her mother results in a surprise. Animated mixed-media illustrations.
Have You Seen My Cat?
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Wondrous collage illustrations and a simple repetitive describe a boy's worldwide search for his lost cat.
written and illustrated by Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Wondrous collage illustrations and a simple repetitive describe a boy's worldwide search for his lost cat.
Here Comes Gosling!
by Sandy Asher
Illustrator: Keith Graves
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Froggie cannot wait to meet Gosling, but when the baby cries, Froggie thinks Gosling doesn't like him. Humorous, exaggerated, ink, pencil, and watercolor illustrations.
by Sandy Asher
Illustrator: Keith Graves
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Froggie cannot wait to meet Gosling, but when the baby cries, Froggie thinks Gosling doesn't like him. Humorous, exaggerated, ink, pencil, and watercolor illustrations.
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.