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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In the Night Garden
by Barbara Joosse
Illustrator: Elizabeth Sayles
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Three girls play in a garden before bedtime, each imagining herself a different animal. Poetic text, acrylic and pastel illustrations.
by Barbara Joosse
Illustrator: Elizabeth Sayles
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Three girls play in a garden before bedtime, each imagining herself a different animal. Poetic text, acrylic and pastel illustrations.
It's Time to Sleep, My Love
by Eric Metaxas
Illustrator: Nancy Tillman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Lyrical rhymed text describes animal babies settling down for the night. Beautifully detailed digital and mixed-media illustrations.
by Eric Metaxas
Illustrator: Nancy Tillman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Lyrical rhymed text describes animal babies settling down for the night. Beautifully detailed digital and mixed-media illustrations.
Jackson's Blanket
written and ill. by Nancy Cote
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A young boy, unwilling to give up his beloved blanket, shares it with a newly found pet. Gouache and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Nancy Cote
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A young boy, unwilling to give up his beloved blanket, shares it with a newly found pet. Gouache and watercolor illustrations.
Jack Wants a Snack
ill. by Pat Schories
Illustrator: Pat Schories
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A puppy's quest to join a tea party will give readers of this wordless book a giggle.
ill. by Pat Schories
Illustrator: Pat Schories
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A puppy's quest to join a tea party will give readers of this wordless book a giggle.
Katie Loves the Kittens
written and ill. by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
When Sara Ann brings home three kittens, her dog Katie must learn the virtues of gentleness and patience. Expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by John Himmelman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
When Sara Ann brings home three kittens, her dog Katie must learn the virtues of gentleness and patience. Expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: Jill McElmurry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A little truck moves a big dump truck with a lot of help from friends. Rollicking, rhythmic rhyming text and bright, gouache illustrations.
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: Jill McElmurry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A little truck moves a big dump truck with a lot of help from friends. Rollicking, rhythmic rhyming text and bright, gouache illustrations.
Little Boy
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
The simple things that bring joy to a child's daily life are rendered in ink and watercolors.
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
The simple things that bring joy to a child's daily life are rendered in ink and watercolors.
Little Rabbit's New Baby
written and ill. by Harry Horse
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Brother rabbit is in for a surprise when he tries to interact with his new baby triplet siblings. Delicate pen and ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Harry Horse
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Brother rabbit is in for a surprise when he tries to interact with his new baby triplet siblings. Delicate pen and ink and watercolor illustrations.
Mail Harry to the Moon!
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Baby Harry's older brother wants his life back the way it used to be. Humorous illustrations.
by Robie H. Harris
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Baby Harry's older brother wants his life back the way it used to be. Humorous illustrations.
Marshmallow
written and ill. by Clare Turlay Newberry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Can a baby rabbit and a cat used to ruling the household coexist peacefully? Warm, expressive charcoal and pastel illustrations.
written and ill. by Clare Turlay Newberry
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Can a baby rabbit and a cat used to ruling the household coexist peacefully? Warm, expressive charcoal and pastel illustrations.
Martha in the Middle
written and ill. by Jan Fearnley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A mouse discovers the advantages of being the middle sibling. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and ill. by Jan Fearnley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A mouse discovers the advantages of being the middle sibling. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
Melrose and Croc
written and ill. by Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A plan to surprise a friend for his birthday results in a glorious escapade. Vibrant, expressive illustrations.
written and ill. by Emma Chichester Clark
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A plan to surprise a friend for his birthday results in a glorious escapade. Vibrant, expressive illustrations.
Mimi
written and ill. by Carol Baicker-McKee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Unique soft-sculpture illustrations and simple text show the emotional ups and downs of a little pig's day.
written and ill. by Carol Baicker-McKee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Unique soft-sculpture illustrations and simple text show the emotional ups and downs of a little pig's day.
Minji's Salon
written and ill. by Eun-hee Choung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Minji mirrors her mother's visit to a hair salon by setting up her own beauty shop at home. Vivid, animated illustrations.
written and ill. by Eun-hee Choung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Minji mirrors her mother's visit to a hair salon by setting up her own beauty shop at home. Vivid, animated illustrations.
Mommy Do You Love Me?
by Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Jan Fearnley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Mother hen reassures little chick that no matter what he does, she still loves him. Energetic watercolor and ink drawings.
by Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Jan Fearnley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Mother hen reassures little chick that no matter what he does, she still loves him. Energetic watercolor and ink drawings.
Monkey and Me
written and ill. by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Imitating different animals, a girl and her toy monkey play until they are tired. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Emily Gravett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Imitating different animals, a girl and her toy monkey play until they are tired. Pencil and watercolor illustrations.
My Pup
by Margaret O'Hair
Illustrator: Tammie Lyon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
With exuberant illustrations and very simple rhyme, a young girl describes her pet.
by Margaret O'Hair
Illustrator: Tammie Lyon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
With exuberant illustrations and very simple rhyme, a young girl describes her pet.
Nanuk Flies Home
by Christa Holtei
Illustrator: Astrid Vohwinkel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A mother polar bear and her cub wander into a northern Canadian town in search of food. Based on a true story.
by Christa Holtei
Illustrator: Astrid Vohwinkel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A mother polar bear and her cub wander into a northern Canadian town in search of food. Based on a true story.
No Mush Today
by Sally Derby
Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Tired of cornmeal porridge for breakfast and her bawling baby brother, Nonie decides to live with her grandma. Warm watercolors.
by Sally Derby
Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Tired of cornmeal porridge for breakfast and her bawling baby brother, Nonie decides to live with her grandma. Warm watercolors.
Not a Stick
written and ill. by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A young pig creates adventures with a stick in this clever sequel to Not a Box. Imaginative blue and black line drawings.
written and ill. by Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A young pig creates adventures with a stick in this clever sequel to Not a Box. Imaginative blue and black line drawings.
Old Bear
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Old Bear falls asleep for the winter and dreams of being a cub frolicking in each of the four seasons. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
written and ill. by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Old Bear falls asleep for the winter and dreams of being a cub frolicking in each of the four seasons. Watercolor and ink illustrations.
One Watermelon Seed
by Celia Barker Lottridge
Illustrator: Karen Patkau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Help children count from one to ten and then by tens to one hundred. Brightly colored, simple illustrations.
by Celia Barker Lottridge
Illustrator: Karen Patkau
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Help children count from one to ten and then by tens to one hundred. Brightly colored, simple illustrations.
On the Farm
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Holly Meade
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Amusing, pithy poems and brilliant woodblock prints and watercolors convey warm farm scenes.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Holly Meade
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Amusing, pithy poems and brilliant woodblock prints and watercolors convey warm farm scenes.
Oodles of Animals
written and ill. by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Striking collages and clever short poems introduce some of the identifying characteristics of many creatures.
written and ill. by Lois Ehlert
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
Striking collages and clever short poems introduce some of the identifying characteristics of many creatures.
Princess Baby
written and ill. by Karen Katz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A little girl is angry because her parents call her lots of different pet names rather than her preferred “real” name. Bold, bright illustrations.
written and ill. by Karen Katz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2008
A little girl is angry because her parents call her lots of different pet names rather than her preferred “real” name. Bold, bright illustrations.