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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Whale Snow
by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Illustrator: Annie Patterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Life in an Iñupiaq community where whaling is central to survival and culture. Beautiful watercolors.
by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Illustrator: Annie Patterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Life in an Iñupiaq community where whaling is central to survival and culture. Beautiful watercolors.
What Do You Dream?
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Joung Un Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A child's dream becomes part of the rhythm of living things on earth. Simple, clear illustrations.
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Joung Un Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A child's dream becomes part of the rhythm of living things on earth. Simple, clear illustrations.
What's in Grandma's Grocery Bag?
written and ill. by Hui-Mei Pan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
See: Piggy in my Pocket
written and ill. by Hui-Mei Pan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
See: Piggy in my Pocket
When the Moon Is High
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: Julia Noonan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Daddy and baby on a moonlit night stroll around the yard. Simple rhymes and comforting illustrations.
by Alice Schertle
Illustrator: Julia Noonan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Daddy and baby on a moonlit night stroll around the yard. Simple rhymes and comforting illustrations.
Where Is My Mommy?
written and ill. by Julie Downing
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A comforting and captivating reassurance that mommy will be back.
written and ill. by Julie Downing
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A comforting and captivating reassurance that mommy will be back.
Why Do Kittens Purr?
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Soothing rhymes about why kittens, bears, kangaroos and other animals behave the way they do.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Soothing rhymes about why kittens, bears, kangaroos and other animals behave the way they do.
Wild Birds
by Joanne Ryder
Illustrator: Susan Estelle Kwas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A charming introduction to birds seen in parks and backyards. Stylized illustrations.
by Joanne Ryder
Illustrator: Susan Estelle Kwas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A charming introduction to birds seen in parks and backyards. Stylized illustrations.
You Can't Rush a Cat
by Karleen Bradford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Jessica helps her grandfather to remain patient as they slowly make friends with a shy, stray cat.
by Karleen Bradford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Jessica helps her grandfather to remain patient as they slowly make friends with a shy, stray cat.
You're a Bear
by Mavis Jukes
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A young girl's fantasy of spending the day as a bear. Rhymed text and sensitive illustrations.
by Mavis Jukes
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A young girl's fantasy of spending the day as a bear. Rhymed text and sensitive illustrations.
Z Goes Home
written and ill. by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Z encounters some unique words on his journey and then returns to his letter family. Creative, energetic illustrations.
written and ill. by Jon Agee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Z encounters some unique words on his journey and then returns to his letter family. Creative, energetic illustrations.
Zigby Hunts for Treasure
written and ill. by Brian Paterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Three friends go on an adventure to find a treasure.
written and ill. by Brian Paterson
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Three friends go on an adventure to find a treasure.
1 2 3 Follow Me!
written and ill. by Philippe Dupasquier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Farm animals romp from 1 to 10 in this sturdy board book with amusing illustrations.
written and ill. by Philippe Dupasquier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Farm animals romp from 1 to 10 in this sturdy board book with amusing illustrations.
Alex Did It!
by Udo Weigelt
Illustrator: Cristina Kadmon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Three little hares learn the consequences of not telling the truth, and the rewards of friendship.
by Udo Weigelt
Illustrator: Cristina Kadmon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Three little hares learn the consequences of not telling the truth, and the rewards of friendship.
Alphabet Under Construction
written and ill. by Denise Fleming
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Amusing opportunity to explore vocabulary as Mouse builds three-dimensional letters.
written and ill. by Denise Fleming
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Amusing opportunity to explore vocabulary as Mouse builds three-dimensional letters.
Andrew's Bright Blue T-shirt
by Jessica Wollman
Illustrator: Ana Lopez Escriva
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A favorite T-shirt is a good measure of how Andrew is growing and changing.
by Jessica Wollman
Illustrator: Ana Lopez Escriva
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A favorite T-shirt is a good measure of how Andrew is growing and changing.
Angel Face
by Sarah Weeks
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
With only a poetic description to go on,Old Crow helps find and return a small boy to his mother.
by Sarah Weeks
Illustrator: David Diaz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
With only a poetic description to go on,Old Crow helps find and return a small boy to his mother.
Animal Friends
by Maya Ajmera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Children from around the world with the special animal friends that share their lives. Board book.
by Maya Ajmera
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Children from around the world with the special animal friends that share their lives. Board book.
A Present for Mom
by Vivian French
Illustrator: Dana Kubick
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
The youngest sibling figures out a great present for Mother's Day.
by Vivian French
Illustrator: Dana Kubick
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
The youngest sibling figures out a great present for Mother's Day.
A Treasury of Alphabets
edited by Wendy Cooling
Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
The rhythms and sounds that make up language. Enchanting illustrations.
edited by Wendy Cooling
Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
The rhythms and sounds that make up language. Enchanting illustrations.
Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book
written and ill. by Alexander Stadler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Who hasn't forgotten to return a library book? Clever illustrations.
written and ill. by Alexander Stadler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
Who hasn't forgotten to return a library book? Clever illustrations.
Big Bear Ball
by Joanne Ryder
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
The bears' dance at full moon, with rhyming verse and joyful illustrations.
by Joanne Ryder
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
The bears' dance at full moon, with rhyming verse and joyful illustrations.
Boo Hoo Boo-Boo
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Elivia Savadier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
What happens when energetic toddlers fall and get hurt. Delightful rhymes with lively illustrations.
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Elivia Savadier
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
What happens when energetic toddlers fall and get hurt. Delightful rhymes with lively illustrations.
Bubba and Beau Best Friends
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A baby and a puppy have a lot in common, including a favorite blanket. Amusing cartoon-like drawings.
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A baby and a puppy have a lot in common, including a favorite blanket. Amusing cartoon-like drawings.
Central Park Serenade
by Laura Godwin
Illustrator: Barry Root
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A leisurely stroll through Central Park with rhyming text and colorful illustrations. Includes a map.
by Laura Godwin
Illustrator: Barry Root
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A leisurely stroll through Central Park with rhyming text and colorful illustrations. Includes a map.
Close Your Eyes
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Georg Hallensleben
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A mother tiger lulls her child to sleep by urging him to close his eyes to enter a world of dreams. Vibrant illustrations.
by Kate Banks
Illustrator: Georg Hallensleben
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2002
A mother tiger lulls her child to sleep by urging him to close his eyes to enter a world of dreams. Vibrant illustrations.