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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You Can Do It Too!
written by Karen Baicker
Illustrator: Ken Wilson-Max
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
In rhyming text and vibrant, energetic paintings, a sister and toddler brother learn from each other in the playground and at home.
written by Karen Baicker
Illustrator: Ken Wilson-Max
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
In rhyming text and vibrant, energetic paintings, a sister and toddler brother learn from each other in the playground and at home.
You See a Circus. I See...
by Mike Downs
Illustrator: Anik McGrory
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A look at the wonders of a circus from an insider's perspective.
by Mike Downs
Illustrator: Anik McGrory
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A look at the wonders of a circus from an insider's perspective.
Yum! Yuck!
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Sue Ramá
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
The varied way the same feelings are expressed around the world.
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Sue Ramá
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
The varied way the same feelings are expressed around the world.
Abby's Chairs
by Barbara Santucci
Illustrator: Debrah Santini
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Abby tries to make her chairs fit into her new home, and then finds the essential missing element. Lively watercolor illustrations.
by Barbara Santucci
Illustrator: Debrah Santini
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Abby tries to make her chairs fit into her new home, and then finds the essential missing element. Lively watercolor illustrations.
A City Is
by Norman Rosten
Illustrator: Melanie Hope Greenberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Verses about New York neighborhoods during the changing seasons.
by Norman Rosten
Illustrator: Melanie Hope Greenberg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Verses about New York neighborhoods during the changing seasons.
All Year Long
by Kathleen W. Deady
Illustrator: Linda Bronson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A warm poetic romp through the seasons. Whimsical collages.
by Kathleen W. Deady
Illustrator: Linda Bronson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A warm poetic romp through the seasons. Whimsical collages.
And Here's to You!
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A tribute to all kinds of creatures: birds and bears and bugs and people, too. Catchy rhyme and rhythms.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A tribute to all kinds of creatures: birds and bears and bugs and people, too. Catchy rhyme and rhythms.
And the Good Brown Earth
written and ill. by Kathy Henderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Joe and Gram dig, plant, weed, water and harvest.
written and ill. by Kathy Henderson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Joe and Gram dig, plant, weed, water and harvest.
Anna Shares
by Barbara Baker
Illustrator: Catharine ONeill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A toddler's amusing concept of sharing, with a clever twist at the end.
by Barbara Baker
Illustrator: Catharine ONeill
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A toddler's amusing concept of sharing, with a clever twist at the end.
A Sound Like Someone Trying Not to Make a Sound
by John Irving
Illustrator: Tatjana Hauptmann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Derived from the author's adult novel, a tale about a boy's nighttime imagination. Sketchy, scary illustrations.
by John Irving
Illustrator: Tatjana Hauptmann
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Derived from the author's adult novel, a tale about a boy's nighttime imagination. Sketchy, scary illustrations.
Baby Danced the Polka
by Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Instead of napping, Baby dances with the farm animals. A lift-the-flap book.
by Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Instead of napping, Baby dances with the farm animals. A lift-the-flap book.
Beach Day
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Getting there is half the fun. Humorous text and illustrations.
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Getting there is half the fun. Humorous text and illustrations.
Bear Gets Dressed
by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrator: Arnold Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Each day Bear has to choose what to wear depending on weather or season. Guessing game with rich colorful illustrations.
by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrator: Arnold Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Each day Bear has to choose what to wear depending on weather or season. Guessing game with rich colorful illustrations.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
by Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Bear stays awake to help his friends celebrate Christmas and gets a lovely gift of his own. Cozy, comforting illustrations.
by Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Bear stays awake to help his friends celebrate Christmas and gets a lovely gift of his own. Cozy, comforting illustrations.
Bittle
by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Nigel, the cat, and Julia, the dog, come to know, love and care for the new baby whom they name Bittle.
by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Nigel, the cat, and Julia, the dog, come to know, love and care for the new baby whom they name Bittle.
Breakfast for Jack
written and ill. by Pat Schories
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Wordless books about a boy and his dog encourage the creation of stories.
written and ill. by Pat Schories
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Wordless books about a boy and his dog encourage the creation of stories.
Buzzy's Birthday
by Harriet Zeifert
Illustrator: Emily Bolam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Preparing for a birthday party tries Buzzy's patience, but when all is ready, there is much to celebrate.
by Harriet Zeifert
Illustrator: Emily Bolam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Preparing for a birthday party tries Buzzy's patience, but when all is ready, there is much to celebrate.
Cat Skidoo
by Bethany Roberts
Illustrator: R.W. Alley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A day in the lives of two mischievous kittens, told in amusing rhyme and illustrations.
by Bethany Roberts
Illustrator: R.W. Alley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A day in the lives of two mischievous kittens, told in amusing rhyme and illustrations.
Cluck, Cluck Who's There?
by Caroline Jayne Church
Illustrator: James Maghew
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A clever lift-the flap book about eggs hatching.
by Caroline Jayne Church
Illustrator: James Maghew
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A clever lift-the flap book about eggs hatching.
Construction Countdown
by K.C. Olson
Illustrator: David Gordon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A rhymed number book follows the trucks at a sandbox construction site.
by K.C. Olson
Illustrator: David Gordon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
A rhymed number book follows the trucks at a sandbox construction site.
Counting Creatures
by Sophie and David Pelham
Illustrator: David Pelham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Pop-ups reveal creatures illustrating the numbers from one through twenty and the tens thereafter.
by Sophie and David Pelham
Illustrator: David Pelham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Pop-ups reveal creatures illustrating the numbers from one through twenty and the tens thereafter.
Daffodil
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Tomek Bogacki
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Three look-alike sisters dress differently so grown-ups can tell them apart. Explores the joys of free choice. Humorous illustrations.
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Tomek Bogacki
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Three look-alike sisters dress differently so grown-ups can tell them apart. Explores the joys of free choice. Humorous illustrations.
Dan Yaccarino's Mother Goose
written and ill. by Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
An upbeat version of Mother Goose rendered in witty, bold graphics.
written and ill. by Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
An upbeat version of Mother Goose rendered in witty, bold graphics.
Dilly Duckling
by Claire Freedman
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Dilly finds out that losing a feather is nothing to worry about. Fuzzy acrylic illustrations. .
by Claire Freedman
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Dilly finds out that losing a feather is nothing to worry about. Fuzzy acrylic illustrations. .
Dog Blue
written and ill. by Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Bertie wants a blue dog more than anything! Then he gets one! Simple, appealing pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and ill. by Polly Dunbar
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2004
Bertie wants a blue dog more than anything! Then he gets one! Simple, appealing pencil and watercolor illustrations.