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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Still This Love Goes On
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
An illustrated song by the Cree songwriter celebrates change in seasons and the permanence of love. Pastel and pencil artwork. Sheet music included.
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Illustrator: Julie Flett
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
An illustrated song by the Cree songwriter celebrates change in seasons and the permanence of love. Pastel and pencil artwork. Sheet music included.
Sumo Colors (Little Sumo series)
Sanae Ishida
Illustrator: Sanae Ishida
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Cheerful, vibrant illustrations depict red (aka) lanterns, yellow (kīro) gingko leaves, and other elements of Japanese culture. Bilingual in Japanese and English.
Sanae Ishida
Illustrator: Sanae Ishida
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Cheerful, vibrant illustrations depict red (aka) lanterns, yellow (kīro) gingko leaves, and other elements of Japanese culture. Bilingual in Japanese and English.
Sun Flower Lion
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A little lion spends a day using his imagination. Simple, childlike illustrations in black, yellow, and grey.
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A little lion spends a day using his imagination. Simple, childlike illustrations in black, yellow, and grey.
Sweet, Sweet Baby!
Javaka Steptoe
Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A celebration of the joy, hope and pride that a new baby brings. Striking, bold illustrations.
Javaka Steptoe
Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A celebration of the joy, hope and pride that a new baby brings. Striking, bold illustrations.
Take Off Your Brave: The World Through the Eyes of a Preschool Poet
Nadim
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Inspired by his mother, four-year-old Nadim, with a contribution from his sister and school, shares his vivid poetic musings. Punctuated with expressive mixed-media illustrations.
Nadim
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Inspired by his mother, four-year-old Nadim, with a contribution from his sister and school, shares his vivid poetic musings. Punctuated with expressive mixed-media illustrations.
Tale of the Whale, The
Karen Swann
Illustrator: Padmacandra
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A brown-skinned girl joins a whale in a magical tour of the ocean. Sadly, they discover hazardous plastic pollution; the girl vows to tell the world. Lush illustrations.
Karen Swann
Illustrator: Padmacandra
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A brown-skinned girl joins a whale in a magical tour of the ocean. Sadly, they discover hazardous plastic pollution; the girl vows to tell the world. Lush illustrations.
Tell Me A Lion Story
Kara Kramer
Illustrator: Kara Kramer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Engaging stylized illustrations accompany this clever tale of a child anxious for a story where they (and the reader) are important contributors.
Kara Kramer
Illustrator: Kara Kramer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Engaging stylized illustrations accompany this clever tale of a child anxious for a story where they (and the reader) are important contributors.
Ten Blocks to the Big Wok: A Chinatown Counting Book
Ying-Hwa Hu
Illustrator: Ying-Hwa Hu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
On a walk through Chinatown, Mia and her uncle see and count lychees, paper lanterns, and other elements of Chinese culture that will appeal to young readers. In Mandarin and English. Watercolor and pastel illustrations.
Ying-Hwa Hu
Illustrator: Ying-Hwa Hu
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
On a walk through Chinatown, Mia and her uncle see and count lychees, paper lanterns, and other elements of Chinese culture that will appeal to young readers. In Mandarin and English. Watercolor and pastel illustrations.
That's My Sweater!
Jessika von Innerebner
Illustrator: Jessika von Innerebner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Handing down her favorite sweater to a younger sibling creates rivalry and a humorous resolution. Photoshopped cartoonish illustrations.
Jessika von Innerebner
Illustrator: Jessika von Innerebner
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Handing down her favorite sweater to a younger sibling creates rivalry and a humorous resolution. Photoshopped cartoonish illustrations.
That's Not My Name!
Anoosha Syed
Illustrator: Anoosha Syed
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A brown-skinned girl confronts her classmates who mispronounce her Arabic name, Mirha, after her mother explains its uniqueness. Animated bold color illustrations.
Anoosha Syed
Illustrator: Anoosha Syed
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A brown-skinned girl confronts her classmates who mispronounce her Arabic name, Mirha, after her mother explains its uniqueness. Animated bold color illustrations.
This Book Will Get You to Sleep!
Jory John
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Need to get to sleep? Try listening to roaring trucks and wailing guitars, or counting sheep being chased by dragons. Energetic art accompanies the wry humor of the participatory text.
Jory John
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Need to get to sleep? Try listening to roaring trucks and wailing guitars, or counting sheep being chased by dragons. Energetic art accompanies the wry humor of the participatory text.
Together We Ride
Vakerie Bolling
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A father helps his daughter learn to ride a bike, each step depicted in gentle mixed-media illustrations reflecting love and patience. Rhyming text.
Vakerie Bolling
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A father helps his daughter learn to ride a bike, each step depicted in gentle mixed-media illustrations reflecting love and patience. Rhyming text.
Too Early
Nora Ericson
Illustrator: Elly Mackay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A young child wakes long before her family is ready to get up. Then she and her father await the dawn. Rhythmic language. Luminous art.
Nora Ericson
Illustrator: Elly Mackay
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A young child wakes long before her family is ready to get up. Then she and her father await the dawn. Rhythmic language. Luminous art.
Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf
Davide Cali
Illustrator: Marianna Balducci
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This counting book riffs on the well-known fable, including humorous, child-pleasing dialogue, with opportunities to explore language and math concepts. Artwork is silly and fun.
Davide Cali
Illustrator: Marianna Balducci
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This counting book riffs on the well-known fable, including humorous, child-pleasing dialogue, with opportunities to explore language and math concepts. Artwork is silly and fun.
Tortoise and Hare: A Fairy Tale to Help You Find Balance (Feel-Good Fairy Tale series)
Susan Verde
Illustrator: Jay Fleck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Two friends join together, finding the perfect pace to finish a race. Descriptions of three child-friendly yoga poses included. Digital art.
Susan Verde
Illustrator: Jay Fleck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Two friends join together, finding the perfect pace to finish a race. Descriptions of three child-friendly yoga poses included. Digital art.
Tummy Time!: A High-Contrast Fold-Out Book with Mirror
Mama Makes Books
Illustrator: Mama Makes Books
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This board book for infants and babies supports visual stimulation, brain development, and strength building. Black, white, and red illustrations.
Mama Makes Books
Illustrator: Mama Makes Books
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This board book for infants and babies supports visual stimulation, brain development, and strength building. Black, white, and red illustrations.
Twelve Cats of Christmas, The
Feather Flores
Illustrator: Carrie Liao
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
In a new take on the traditional carol, twelve cute and mischievous cats make Christmas more festive with their usual antics! Humorous, detailed mixed-media illustrations.
Feather Flores
Illustrator: Carrie Liao
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
In a new take on the traditional carol, twelve cute and mischievous cats make Christmas more festive with their usual antics! Humorous, detailed mixed-media illustrations.
Vámonos: Mexican Folk Art Transport in English and Spanish (Mexican Folk Art in English and Spanish)
Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Wooden sculptures by Martín Melchor, Agustín Tinoco Cruz, Avelino Pérez, and Maximino Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Explore the many modes of transportation that can take animals and their friends to a special location. Colorful hand-crafted sculptures illustrate the journey.
Cynthia Weill
Illustrator: Wooden sculptures by Martín Melchor, Agustín Tinoco Cruz, Avelino Pérez, and Maximino Santiago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Explore the many modes of transportation that can take animals and their friends to a special location. Colorful hand-crafted sculptures illustrate the journey.
We Are Love
Patricia Hegarty
Illustrator: Thomas Elliott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Animals and their babies celebrate the power of love. Rhyming text. lllustrations employing die cuts demonstrate togetherness as the reader turns the page.
Patricia Hegarty
Illustrator: Thomas Elliott
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Animals and their babies celebrate the power of love. Rhyming text. lllustrations employing die cuts demonstrate togetherness as the reader turns the page.
Welcome to Your World
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A newborn is introduced to the world through the animal kingdom. In verse. Rich, detailed illustrations.
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Jaime Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A newborn is introduced to the world through the animal kingdom. In verse. Rich, detailed illustrations.
What's Your Name?
Bethanie Deeny Murguia
Illustrator: Bethanie Deeny Murguia
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Through catchy rhymes with colorful animated illustration of diverse children proclaiming their names in speech bubbles, the many functions of names are explored, such as identifiers and salutations.
Bethanie Deeny Murguia
Illustrator: Bethanie Deeny Murguia
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Through catchy rhymes with colorful animated illustration of diverse children proclaiming their names in speech bubbles, the many functions of names are explored, such as identifiers and salutations.
When You Joined Our Family
Harriet Evans
Illustrator: Nia Tudor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Simple text and colorful illustrations portray ethnically and racially diverse families celebrating the joys of adoption.
Harriet Evans
Illustrator: Nia Tudor
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Simple text and colorful illustrations portray ethnically and racially diverse families celebrating the joys of adoption.
Where Is Bina Bear?
Mike Curato
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Tiny's search for one missing party guest keeps turning up oddly guest-shaped objects that talk. Why might Bina be hiding? Gently colorful mixed-media illustrations.
Mike Curato
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Tiny's search for one missing party guest keeps turning up oddly guest-shaped objects that talk. Why might Bina be hiding? Gently colorful mixed-media illustrations.
While You Sleep
Jennifer Maruno
Illustrator: Miki Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
All the magical things that happen during a toddler's slumber are presented through fanciful collage illustrations.
Jennifer Maruno
Illustrator: Miki Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
All the magical things that happen during a toddler's slumber are presented through fanciful collage illustrations.
Will We Always Hold Hands?
Christopher Cheng
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A panda confirms that it will stand by its rat friend through many circumstances. Cartoon illustrations convey a deep friendship and reassurance that the bond will continue, even if the two ever have to be apart.
Christopher Cheng
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A panda confirms that it will stand by its rat friend through many circumstances. Cartoon illustrations convey a deep friendship and reassurance that the bond will continue, even if the two ever have to be apart.