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 Rain Stomper
by Addie Boswell
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Jazmin stomps a rhythm, splashes through puddles and twirls her baton through the rain that threatens her parade. Dynamic oil paintings.
by Addie Boswell
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Jazmin stomps a rhythm, splashes through puddles and twirls her baton through the rain that threatens her parade. Dynamic oil paintings.
The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas
by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
We all need to know how to treat grandparents. Humorous text and colorful illustrations.
by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
We all need to know how to treat grandparents. Humorous text and colorful illustrations.
Too Many Toys
written and ill. by David Shannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A mother and child find a nicely handled solution to an age-old problem. Cheerful, brightly colored illustrations.
written and ill. by David Shannon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A mother and child find a nicely handled solution to an age-old problem. Cheerful, brightly colored illustrations.
Trout Are Made of Trees
by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Kate Endle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Lyrical text and vibrant collage illustrations present an informative science lesson on the food web.
by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Kate Endle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Lyrical text and vibrant collage illustrations present an informative science lesson on the food web.
Turtle's Penguin Day
written and ill. by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Little turtle becomes a penguin for a day after his father reads a bedtme story. Lighthearted watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Little turtle becomes a penguin for a day after his father reads a bedtme story. Lighthearted watercolor illustrations.
Uh-oh!
written and ill. by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Pastel drawings tell the story of many “uh-oh” moments in the home of an African-American family with a young baby boy.
written and ill. by Rachel Isadora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Pastel drawings tell the story of many “uh-oh” moments in the home of an African-American family with a young baby boy.
Wave
ill. by Suzy Lee
Illustrator: Suzy Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A wordless story depicts a little girl's experience at the beach. Charcoal and acrylic illustrations.
ill. by Suzy Lee
Illustrator: Suzy Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A wordless story depicts a little girl's experience at the beach. Charcoal and acrylic illustrations.
Welcome to the Zoo
written and ill. by Alison Jay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Parents and preschoolers explore a colorful zoo and witness amusing events. Wordless, with vivid illustrations, including a zoo map and details to search for.
written and ill. by Alison Jay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Parents and preschoolers explore a colorful zoo and witness amusing events. Wordless, with vivid illustrations, including a zoo map and details to search for.
What Pet to Get?
written and ill. by Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A small boy considers various unusual candidates, from an elephant to a polar bear. Colorful watercolors.
written and ill. by Emma Dodd
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A small boy considers various unusual candidates, from an elephant to a polar bear. Colorful watercolors.
What the Grizzly Knows
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Max Grafe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A teddy bear comes to life and takes a young boy on an adventure in the forest. Soft watercolors and rhyming text.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Max Grafe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A teddy bear comes to life and takes a young boy on an adventure in the forest. Soft watercolors and rhyming text.
Will Sheila Share?
written and ill. by Elivia Savadier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A little girl faces the common childhood struggle. Humorous watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and ill. by Elivia Savadier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A little girl faces the common childhood struggle. Humorous watercolor and ink illustrations.
Wonder Bear
ill. by Tao Nyeu
Illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Join two kids on their amazing adventure in this vibrantly colored, silk-screen wordless book.
ill. by Tao Nyeu
Illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Join two kids on their amazing adventure in this vibrantly colored, silk-screen wordless book.
Your Own Big Bed
by Rita M. Bergstein
Illustrator: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Learn how animals are just like children as they grow into having a special place to sleep.Warm, colorful illustrations.
by Rita M. Bergstein
Illustrator: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Learn how animals are just like children as they grow into having a special place to sleep.Warm, colorful illustrations.
You Were Loved Before You Were Born
by Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Karen Barbour
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Family and friends lovingly prepared for a child's birth. Folk art illustrations.
by Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Karen Barbour
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Family and friends lovingly prepared for a child's birth. Folk art illustrations.
ABeCedarios
by Cynthia Weill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Colorful photographs of painted carvings of animals by the Jiménez family in Oaxaca, Mexico, illustrate the alphabet.
by Cynthia Weill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Colorful photographs of painted carvings of animals by the Jiménez family in Oaxaca, Mexico, illustrate the alphabet.
A Closer Look
written and ill. by Mary McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
With bright collages and brief text, this book will stimulate a child's imagination.
written and ill. by Mary McCarthy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
With bright collages and brief text, this book will stimulate a child's imagination.
A Family for Old Mill Farm
by Shutta Crum
Illustrator: Niki Daly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Many possible houses are examined and claimed by some animals, but only one will do for a growing family. Lively verse and illustrations.
by Shutta Crum
Illustrator: Niki Daly
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Many possible houses are examined and claimed by some animals, but only one will do for a growing family. Lively verse and illustrations.
A Good Day
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Even with disappointment, there is always hope. Bright stylized watercolors.
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Even with disappointment, there is always hope. Bright stylized watercolors.
A Piece of Chalk
by Jennifer A. Ericsson
Illustrator: Michelle Shapiro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
As a young girl draws with her colorful chalk, her eyes open to the world around her. Stylized colorful pastels.
by Jennifer A. Ericsson
Illustrator: Michelle Shapiro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
As a young girl draws with her colorful chalk, her eyes open to the world around her. Stylized colorful pastels.
Big Bug Surprise
written and ill. by Julia Gran
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
As Prunella saves her classmates and does show and tell, she discusses insects and spiders. Humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Julia Gran
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
As Prunella saves her classmates and does show and tell, she discusses insects and spiders. Humorous illustrations.
Callie Cat, Ice Skater
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Anne Kennedy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Callie's experiences with peer pressure and competition lead to a welcome insight into her passion for skating. Lively watercolor illustrations.
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Anne Kennedy
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Callie's experiences with peer pressure and competition lead to a welcome insight into her passion for skating. Lively watercolor illustrations.
Can You Growl Like a Bear?
written and ill. by John Butler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Soft, delicate illustrations and easy natural rhyme use animal sounds to create a cozy bedtime atmosphere.
written and ill. by John Butler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Soft, delicate illustrations and easy natural rhyme use animal sounds to create a cozy bedtime atmosphere.
Cat Jumped In!
by Tess Weaver
Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Jumping through an open window, cat creates chaos as he progresses through the house. His eventual triumph is humorously illustrated.
by Tess Weaver
Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
Jumping through an open window, cat creates chaos as he progresses through the house. His eventual triumph is humorously illustrated.
Digby Takes Charge
by Caroline Jayne Church
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
A sheepdog gets advice from the farm's pigs and cows on how to handle unruly sheep. Humorous acrylic and collage illustrations.
by Caroline Jayne Church
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2007
A sheepdog gets advice from the farm's pigs and cows on how to handle unruly sheep. Humorous acrylic and collage illustrations.