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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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.
Oh, What a Beautiful Day!
by Jeanne Modesitt
Illustrator: Robin Spowart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
On a beautiful morning, a girl walks through the countryside, her graceful movements attuned to the rhyming text. Soft colored pencil illustrations.
by Jeanne Modesitt
Illustrator: Robin Spowart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
On a beautiful morning, a girl walks through the countryside, her graceful movements attuned to the rhyming text. Soft colored pencil illustrations.
Only a Witch Can Fly
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Muted Halloween-colored prints evoke the mysterious night when a child flies, encouraged by those who love her.
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Muted Halloween-colored prints evoke the mysterious night when a child flies, encouraged by those who love her.
Opuestos
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Quirino and Mártin Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Unique, vividly colored hand-carved animals playfully teach opposites in English and Spanish.
by Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Quirino and Mártin Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Unique, vividly colored hand-carved animals playfully teach opposites in English and Spanish.
Otis
written and ill. by Loren Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Otis, the friendly little tractor, is replaced by a big modern tractor, but only Otis can save the calf stuck in the mud pond. Gouache and pencil illustrations.
written and ill. by Loren Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Otis, the friendly little tractor, is replaced by a big modern tractor, but only Otis can save the calf stuck in the mud pond. Gouache and pencil illustrations.
Peep
written and ill. by Maria Van Lieshout
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A reluctant chick steps out in the world. Simple, amusing watercolors.
written and ill. by Maria Van Lieshout
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A reluctant chick steps out in the world. Simple, amusing watercolors.
Piglet and Granny
by Margaret Wild
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Piglet's long wait for ingenious Granny is punctuated by energetic antics and humorous watercolor illustrations.
by Margaret Wild
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Piglet's long wait for ingenious Granny is punctuated by energetic antics and humorous watercolor illustrations.
Pouch!
written and ill. by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A joey takes his first hops from his mama's pouch, gaining confidence each time.
written and ill. by David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A joey takes his first hops from his mama's pouch, gaining confidence each time.
Puffling
by Margaret Wild
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Puffling, a baby puffin, depends on his parents until he is ready to leave the nest on his own. Simple, textured illustrations.
by Margaret Wild
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Puffling, a baby puffin, depends on his parents until he is ready to leave the nest on his own. Simple, textured illustrations.
Puppy Love
by Gillian Shields
Illustrator: Elizabeth Harbour
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Two dogs from opposite sides of the tracks find each other and fall in love. Rhymed couplets and soft watercolor illustrations.
by Gillian Shields
Illustrator: Elizabeth Harbour
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Two dogs from opposite sides of the tracks find each other and fall in love. Rhymed couplets and soft watercolor illustrations.
Put It On the List!
written and ill. by Kristen Darbyshire
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A family finds a way to meet the challenge of remembering what they need when they shop. Simple, expressive full-color illustrations add to the sly humor.
written and ill. by Kristen Darbyshire
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
A family finds a way to meet the challenge of remembering what they need when they shop. Simple, expressive full-color illustrations add to the sly humor.
Puzzlehead
written and ill. by James Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Five shapes set off to play, but cannot find one thing all can do together. Colorful, digitized illustrations.
written and ill. by James Yang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2009
Five shapes set off to play, but cannot find one thing all can do together. Colorful, digitized illustrations.