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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How Dinosaurs Went Extinct: A Safety Guide
Ame Dyckman
Illustrator: Jennifer Harney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Don't run with scissors! Look both ways! Careful or you might end up like the dinosaurs! A father uses an encounter with extinction as a teaching moment. Humorous digital art.
Ame Dyckman
Illustrator: Jennifer Harney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Don't run with scissors! Look both ways! Careful or you might end up like the dinosaurs! A father uses an encounter with extinction as a teaching moment. Humorous digital art.
How to Get Your Octopus to School
Becky Scharnhorst
Illustrator: Jaclyn Sinquett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A little girl must persuade her pet octopus to attend school. Amusing, detailed digital illustrations. Facts about these intelligent creatures round out the fun.
Becky Scharnhorst
Illustrator: Jaclyn Sinquett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A little girl must persuade her pet octopus to attend school. Amusing, detailed digital illustrations. Facts about these intelligent creatures round out the fun.
Human for Kingsley, A
Gabriel Evans
Illustrator: Gabriel Evans
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
The search for the proper human is quite perplexing for this dog, until the importance of feeling needed is considered. Simple, engaging color illustrations.
Gabriel Evans
Illustrator: Gabriel Evans
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
The search for the proper human is quite perplexing for this dog, until the importance of feeling needed is considered. Simple, engaging color illustrations.
I Help at Home!: I Can Clean My Room, Fold Laundry, Set the Table, and More (Montessori Life Skills series)
Saniyyah Khalilallah
Illustrator: Yu Kito Lee (illustrator) Jared Leeds and others (photographer)
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Youngsters proudly learn to independently complete 12 housekeeping tasks. Colorful illstrations and photographs. Includes child-friendly skills chart. Back matter.
Saniyyah Khalilallah
Illustrator: Yu Kito Lee (illustrator) Jared Leeds and others (photographer)
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Youngsters proudly learn to independently complete 12 housekeeping tasks. Colorful illstrations and photographs. Includes child-friendly skills chart. Back matter.
I Love You, Baby Burrito
Angela Dominguez
Illustrator: Angela Dominguez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An infant is welcomed home with open arms. Some Spanish text. Delicate watercolor and pencil illustrations.
Angela Dominguez
Illustrator: Angela Dominguez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An infant is welcomed home with open arms. Some Spanish text. Delicate watercolor and pencil illustrations.
I'm From
Gary R. Gray, Jr.
Illustrator: Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Paint and patterned paper are among the many artistic tools used to illustrate a young brown-skinned boy's perspective on where, what, and who he is from.
Gary R. Gray, Jr.
Illustrator: Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Paint and patterned paper are among the many artistic tools used to illustrate a young brown-skinned boy's perspective on where, what, and who he is from.
I'm Going to Build a Snowman
Jashar Awan
Illustrator: Jashar Awan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A brown-skinned child has a snow day plan. His snowman may not be perfect, but it is his best yet. Emotive, expressive charcoal pencil and digital illustrations.
Jashar Awan
Illustrator: Jashar Awan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A brown-skinned child has a snow day plan. His snowman may not be perfect, but it is his best yet. Emotive, expressive charcoal pencil and digital illustrations.
I'm Trying to Love Germs
Bethany Barton
Illustrator: Bethany Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Playful dialogue and zany cartoon illustrations describe four categories of pathogens in a highly accessible manner for a young audience.
Bethany Barton
Illustrator: Bethany Barton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Playful dialogue and zany cartoon illustrations describe four categories of pathogens in a highly accessible manner for a young audience.
In Every Life
Marla Frazee
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Inspired by a “call-and-response version of a Jewish baby-naming blessing,” this invitation to myriad reasons for gratitude is tenderly illustrated with wordless vignettes of the lives people live.
Marla Frazee
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Inspired by a “call-and-response version of a Jewish baby-naming blessing,” this invitation to myriad reasons for gratitude is tenderly illustrated with wordless vignettes of the lives people live.
In the Night Garden
Carin Berger
Illustrator: Carin Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this lyrical bedtime story, a young girl observes all the nighttime activity in her garden as she and her cat head home to sleep. Intricate collage illustrations.
Carin Berger
Illustrator: Carin Berger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this lyrical bedtime story, a young girl observes all the nighttime activity in her garden as she and her cat head home to sleep. Intricate collage illustrations.
Invisible Things
Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
Illustrator: Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
There's more to life than meets the eye, such as sensory experiences, patience, and moods. Once you start noticing, you'll be surprised by what you find. Amusing digital art.
Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
Illustrator: Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
There's more to life than meets the eye, such as sensory experiences, patience, and moods. Once you start noticing, you'll be surprised by what you find. Amusing digital art.
Ketchup On My Sundae (Mix-and-Match series)
Nelleke Verhoeff
Illustrator: Nelleke Verhoeff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An invitation to explore multiple combinations of kid-friendly foods. Split-page board book format. Muted illustrations of anthropomorphized comestibles.
Nelleke Verhoeff
Illustrator: Nelleke Verhoeff
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
An invitation to explore multiple combinations of kid-friendly foods. Split-page board book format. Muted illustrations of anthropomorphized comestibles.
Kind Crocodile
Leo Timmers
Illustrator: Leo Timmers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A mouse, a warthog, an antelope, a rhinoceros, and a crocodile find that, with teamwork, they are invincible. Humorous, expressive illustrations. Longer board book format.
Leo Timmers
Illustrator: Leo Timmers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A mouse, a warthog, an antelope, a rhinoceros, and a crocodile find that, with teamwork, they are invincible. Humorous, expressive illustrations. Longer board book format.
Later, When I'm Big
Bette Westera
Illustrator: Mattias De Leeuw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young white child on a visit to the local swimming pool imagines daring future adventures. Playful watercolor illustrations full of wonder and humor.
Bette Westera
Illustrator: Mattias De Leeuw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young white child on a visit to the local swimming pool imagines daring future adventures. Playful watercolor illustrations full of wonder and humor.
Let's Go! (I Like to Read Comics series)
Michael Emberley
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Five persistent, adorable creatures find a wild way to a party. Digital, vibrant cartoon-style art provides much to share with beginning readers.
Michael Emberley
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Five persistent, adorable creatures find a wild way to a party. Digital, vibrant cartoon-style art provides much to share with beginning readers.
Lia & Luís: Puzzled! (Storytelling Math series}
Ana Crespo
Illustrator: Giovana Medeiros
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Brazilian American twins learn some new spatial skills when their Vovó (grandma) sends them a jigsaw puzzle with a secret message. Bold, colorful digital illustrations. Back matter.
Ana Crespo
Illustrator: Giovana Medeiros
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Brazilian American twins learn some new spatial skills when their Vovó (grandma) sends them a jigsaw puzzle with a secret message. Bold, colorful digital illustrations. Back matter.
Light Inside, The
Dan Misdea
Illustrator: Dan Misdea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A nearly wordless picture book/graphic novel hybrid with an eerie grey palette depicts a young creature facing his nightmares on a quest for a lost toy. Both spooky and comforting, it is an evocative tale of bravery, kindness, and light.
Dan Misdea
Illustrator: Dan Misdea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A nearly wordless picture book/graphic novel hybrid with an eerie grey palette depicts a young creature facing his nightmares on a quest for a lost toy. Both spooky and comforting, it is an evocative tale of bravery, kindness, and light.
Little Black Lives Matter
Khodi Dill
Illustrator: Chelsea Charles
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In rhyming text, 15 great Black lives come alive in memorable quotes. Empowering message encourages young children to find their inner heroes. Richly colored illustrations.
Khodi Dill
Illustrator: Chelsea Charles
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In rhyming text, 15 great Black lives come alive in memorable quotes. Empowering message encourages young children to find their inner heroes. Richly colored illustrations.
Little Land
Diana Sudyka
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Over millions of years, a single piece of land undergoes change, including destructive pollution and welcome green renewal. Dynamic gouache and digital illustrations. Back matter.
Diana Sudyka
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
Over millions of years, a single piece of land undergoes change, including destructive pollution and welcome green renewal. Dynamic gouache and digital illustrations. Back matter.
Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar: The Musical Story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Woman Who Invented Rock and Roll
Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Illustrator: Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young African American phenom created an entirely new musical genre, for which she did not initially get any credit. Lyrical text. Engaging collage art. Back matter.
Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Illustrator: Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young African American phenom created an entirely new musical genre, for which she did not initially get any credit. Lyrical text. Engaging collage art. Back matter.
Lola's Heart
Alexandra Boiger
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A woman, a wolf, and a giant red bird rescue a mysterious butterfly on an odyssey through a landscape of wonders. Vivid, expressive pencil illustrations.
Alexandra Boiger
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A woman, a wolf, and a giant red bird rescue a mysterious butterfly on an odyssey through a landscape of wonders. Vivid, expressive pencil illustrations.
Lola's Nana-Bibi Comes to Visit
Anna McQuinn
Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
The excitement of Lola's Tanzanian grandmother's visit, and the fun they share with Lola's mother, are captured in warm, mixed-media illustrations.
Anna McQuinn
Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
The excitement of Lola's Tanzanian grandmother's visit, and the fun they share with Lola's mother, are captured in warm, mixed-media illustrations.
Lolo's Sari-Sari Store
Sophia N. Lee
Illustrator: Christine Almeda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young Filipina girl brings her grandfather's lessons with her when she joins her mother in the United States and starts building her new community. Expressive digital illustrations.
Sophia N. Lee
Illustrator: Christine Almeda
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
A young Filipina girl brings her grandfather's lessons with her when she joins her mother in the United States and starts building her new community. Expressive digital illustrations.
Lost Mitten, The (I Like to Read Comics series)
Jannie Ho
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
When Rabbit and Mouse find a lost mitten, they have quite an adventure searching for the rightful owner. Bold, expressive illustrations.
Jannie Ho
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
When Rabbit and Mouse find a lost mitten, they have quite an adventure searching for the rightful owner. Bold, expressive illustrations.
Making of Butterflies, The
Zora Neal Hurston, adapted by Ibram X. Kendi
Illustrator: Kah Yangni
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this African American folktale, the Creator, bored with his new earth, creates flowers. When they become lonely, He creates “flutter-bys,” little pieces cut out of everything. Bright collage illustrations.
Zora Neal Hurston, adapted by Ibram X. Kendi
Illustrator: Kah Yangni
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2023
In this African American folktale, the Creator, bored with his new earth, creates flowers. When they become lonely, He creates “flutter-bys,” little pieces cut out of everything. Bright collage illustrations.