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 Surprise Visitor
written and ill. by Juli Kangas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
When the wind blows a mysterious blue egg into the garden of Edgar the mouse, he sets out to find its home. Humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Juli Kangas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
When the wind blows a mysterious blue egg into the garden of Edgar the mouse, he sets out to find its home. Humorous illustrations.
The Witch's Walking Stick
written and ill. by Susan Meddaugh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Little Margaret retrieves and returns the witch's magic stick, but not before making good use of it. Comically illustrated.
written and ill. by Susan Meddaugh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Little Margaret retrieves and returns the witch's magic stick, but not before making good use of it. Comically illustrated.
Three Feet Small
by Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A young bear, frustrated by his size, discovers he has been growing, little by little. Humorous watercolors.
by Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Valeri Gorbachev
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A young bear, frustrated by his size, discovers he has been growing, little by little. Humorous watercolors.
Too Many Bunnies
by
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Bunnies overcrowded in one hole search for more space and all end up in an empty hole. Clever cut-outs. Board
by
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Bunnies overcrowded in one hole search for more space and all end up in an empty hole. Clever cut-outs. Board
Tucker's Four-Carrot School Day
written and ill. by Susan Winget
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Tucker reluctantly faces his first day of school.
written and ill. by Susan Winget
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Tucker reluctantly faces his first day of school.
Up!
by Kristine O'Connell George
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Boisterous watercolors and cheerful rhymes celebrate the joys of being awake.
by Kristine O'Connell George
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Boisterous watercolors and cheerful rhymes celebrate the joys of being awake.
Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole
written and ill. by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Mouse and Mole are neighbors and good friends--they always try to help each other correct their mistakes.
written and ill. by Wong Herbert Yee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Mouse and Mole are neighbors and good friends--they always try to help each other correct their mistakes.
Waddle, Waddle, Quack, Quack, Quack
by Barbara Anne Skalak
Illustrator: Sylvia Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
The adventures of a curious duck. Delicate sepia illustrations.
by Barbara Anne Skalak
Illustrator: Sylvia Long
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
The adventures of a curious duck. Delicate sepia illustrations.
Waggers
by Philemon Sturges
Illustrator: Jim Ishikawa
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Whimsical rhyme and illustrations accompany this outrageous read-aloud about why dogs sniff each other's tails.
by Philemon Sturges
Illustrator: Jim Ishikawa
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Whimsical rhyme and illustrations accompany this outrageous read-aloud about why dogs sniff each other's tails.
Wait! I Want to Tell You a Story
written and ill. by Tom Willans
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A muskrat outwits a strong tiger in an amusing cumulative tale. Colorful illustrations.
written and ill. by Tom Willans
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A muskrat outwits a strong tiger in an amusing cumulative tale. Colorful illustrations.
What Does Bunny See?
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Maggie Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Bunny investigates the garden and finds special blossoms and colors. Lively verse and colorful illustrations.
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Maggie Smith
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Bunny investigates the garden and finds special blossoms and colors. Lively verse and colorful illustrations.
What the No-Good Baby is Good For
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A wise mother helps her son discover the positive qualities of his younger sibling. Playful watercolors.
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A wise mother helps her son discover the positive qualities of his younger sibling. Playful watercolors.
When an Elephant Comes to School
written and ill. by Jan Ormerod
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Illustrations add humor to an elephant's first day at school.
written and ill. by Jan Ormerod
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
Illustrations add humor to an elephant's first day at school.
Who's Under That Hat?
by Sarah Weeks
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A guessing game with clues in verse.
by Sarah Weeks
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2005
A guessing game with clues in verse.
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.