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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Hugo
Atinuke
Illustrator: Birgitta Sif
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Through the seasons, park warden Hugo the pigeon helps his neighbors. Eventually, he coaxes a mysterious Somebody out to play. Soft digitally-colored illustrations.
Atinuke
Illustrator: Birgitta Sif
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Through the seasons, park warden Hugo the pigeon helps his neighbors. Eventually, he coaxes a mysterious Somebody out to play. Soft digitally-colored illustrations.
I Am a Bird
Hope Lim
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young child is initially frightened by a cross-looking woman. Then the girl learns that they both love to sing to birds. Sunny, soft, textured art.
Hope Lim
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young child is initially frightened by a cross-looking woman. Then the girl learns that they both love to sing to birds. Sunny, soft, textured art.
I Can Make a Train Noise
Michael Emberley & Marie Louise Fitzpatrick
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick & Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A little girl enters a cafe with her family. With one sentence "I can make a train noise," she transforms it into a moving train. Detailed multimedia illustrations.
Michael Emberley & Marie Louise Fitzpatrick
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick & Michael Emberley
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A little girl enters a cafe with her family. With one sentence "I can make a train noise," she transforms it into a moving train. Detailed multimedia illustrations.
If I Were A Dog
Joanna Cotler
Illustrator: Joanna Cotler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This simple story shows the joys of being human, of being a dog, and the similarities between the two. Beautiful watercolor illustrations.
Joanna Cotler
Illustrator: Joanna Cotler
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This simple story shows the joys of being human, of being a dog, and the similarities between the two. Beautiful watercolor illustrations.
I Like Trains
Daisy Hirst
Illustrator: Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young puppy really likes trains - to play with, to drive, to read books about, and to take to visit his grandma. Simple screenprinted illustrations.
Daisy Hirst
Illustrator: Daisy Hirst
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young puppy really likes trains - to play with, to drive, to read books about, and to take to visit his grandma. Simple screenprinted illustrations.
I'll Build You a Bookcase/ Te Haré Tu Propio Librero
Jean Ciborowski Fahey
Illustrator: Simone Shin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children and adults share the gift of reading with others and the adventures books can take us on. Acrylic, digital stylized illustrations. Also available in Arabic, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.
Jean Ciborowski Fahey
Illustrator: Simone Shin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children and adults share the gift of reading with others and the adventures books can take us on. Acrylic, digital stylized illustrations. Also available in Arabic, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.
I Love Insects (I Like to Read series)
Lizzy Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Emergent readers are introduced to the ways in which insects can be beautiful, scary, surprising, and helpful too! Colorful gouache and watercolor illustrations.
Lizzy Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Emergent readers are introduced to the ways in which insects can be beautiful, scary, surprising, and helpful too! Colorful gouache and watercolor illustrations.
Inside Cat
Brendan Wenzel
Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Inside Cat thinks it has seen it all from its windows, but then the front door is opened. Told in lyrical rhyme; stylized mixed-media illustrations (25)
Brendan Wenzel
Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Inside Cat thinks it has seen it all from its windows, but then the front door is opened. Told in lyrical rhyme; stylized mixed-media illustrations (25)
Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast
David Ezra Stein
Illustrator: David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
The little red chicken returns in this third adventure, hungry for cookies and hilariously shattering nursery rhymes to persuade his father to give him those treats. Bright mixed-media art.
David Ezra Stein
Illustrator: David Ezra Stein
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
The little red chicken returns in this third adventure, hungry for cookies and hilariously shattering nursery rhymes to persuade his father to give him those treats. Bright mixed-media art.
In the Desert
Michaela Weglinski
Illustrator: multiple photo credits
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This introduction to life in deserts has outstanding photos from many locations. Features water and temperature issues.
Michaela Weglinski
Illustrator: multiple photo credits
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This introduction to life in deserts has outstanding photos from many locations. Features water and temperature issues.
It's Big Brother Time
Nandini Ahuja
Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Somebody has to teach baby the house and family rules! Told from the point of view of the big brother. Humorous expressive mixed media illustrations.
Nandini Ahuja
Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Somebody has to teach baby the house and family rules! Told from the point of view of the big brother. Humorous expressive mixed media illustrations.
It's Big Sister Time
Nandini Ahuja
Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Somebody has to teach baby the house and family rules! Told from the point of view of the big sister. Humorous expressive mixed media illustrations.
Nandini Ahuja
Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Somebody has to teach baby the house and family rules! Told from the point of view of the big sister. Humorous expressive mixed media illustrations.
Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn
Shannon Hale
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
While I kind of liked it, there seems to be a disconnect between the story and an under five listener. There is also not enough to make it a "best book," even for the younger set.
Shannon Hale
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
While I kind of liked it, there seems to be a disconnect between the story and an under five listener. There is also not enough to make it a "best book," even for the younger set.
Jenny Mei Is Sad
Tracy Subisak
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Recognizing Jenny's sadness, a friend tries to help by listening carefully. Appealing India ink, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations. The two friends present as Asian and African-American.
Tracy Subisak
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Recognizing Jenny's sadness, a friend tries to help by listening carefully. Appealing India ink, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations. The two friends present as Asian and African-American.
Lala's Words: A Story of Planting Kindness
Gracey Zhang
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Every day, rambunctious Lala rushes out to water city plants and whisper loving words to them. They listen! Endearing hand-drawn illustrations.
Gracey Zhang
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Every day, rambunctious Lala rushes out to water city plants and whisper loving words to them. They listen! Endearing hand-drawn illustrations.
Leo and the Octopus
Isabelle Marinov
Illustrator: Chris Nixon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Prone to sensory overload, Leo struggles to make sense of the world until he bonds with an octopus in the local aquarium. Illustrations include details of octopus behaviors.
Isabelle Marinov
Illustrator: Chris Nixon
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Prone to sensory overload, Leo struggles to make sense of the world until he bonds with an octopus in the local aquarium. Illustrations include details of octopus behaviors.
Like a Dandelion
Huy Voun Lee
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a child and her mother journey from a refugee camp to America, their resiliency is likened to the small but strong dandelion. Poetic text, graceful digital art.
Huy Voun Lee
Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a child and her mother journey from a refugee camp to America, their resiliency is likened to the small but strong dandelion. Poetic text, graceful digital art.
Listen
Gabi Snyder
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children are called to listen, moving beyond the noises around them to the sounds of words, of feelings, of nature. Gentle Adobe pencil and watercolor illustrations
Gabi Snyder
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children are called to listen, moving beyond the noises around them to the sounds of words, of feelings, of nature. Gentle Adobe pencil and watercolor illustrations
Little Blue Bridge, The
Brenda Maier
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This reimagining of the Billy Goats Gruff features a young Latina whose ingenuity surprises both a bully and her own big brothers. Joyful illustrations and a STEM component.
Brenda Maier
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
This reimagining of the Billy Goats Gruff features a young Latina whose ingenuity surprises both a bully and her own big brothers. Joyful illustrations and a STEM component.
Little Loon Finds His Voice
Yvonne Pearson
Illustrator: Regina Shklovsky
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Baby loon cannot make the unique sounds his father makes, but when a threat appears, he finally finds his voice. Illustrations reveal beautiful plumage. Links provided for sound files.
Yvonne Pearson
Illustrator: Regina Shklovsky
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Baby loon cannot make the unique sounds his father makes, but when a threat appears, he finally finds his voice. Illustrations reveal beautiful plumage. Links provided for sound files.
Little One, The
Kiyo Tanaka
Illustrator: Kiyo Tanaka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young girl spends an afternoon playing with a mysterious magical creature before she meets with her father. Appealing black-and-white copperplate etchings.
Kiyo Tanaka
Illustrator: Kiyo Tanaka
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young girl spends an afternoon playing with a mysterious magical creature before she meets with her father. Appealing black-and-white copperplate etchings.
Little Owl & the Big Tree, The: A Christmas Story
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An owl is discovered inhabiting the tree chosen for the Rockefeller Center Christmas display. How will it experience urban civilization? Evocative, colorful, stylized illustrations. Note.
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An owl is discovered inhabiting the tree chosen for the Rockefeller Center Christmas display. How will it experience urban civilization? Evocative, colorful, stylized illustrations. Note.
Looking for a Jumbie
Tracey Baptiste
Illustrator: Amber Ren
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Frightening Caribbean folklore characters are found to be kind companions in this tale of a young girl's brave exploration. Lively repetitive text; colorful digital art.
Tracey Baptiste
Illustrator: Amber Ren
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Frightening Caribbean folklore characters are found to be kind companions in this tale of a young girl's brave exploration. Lively repetitive text; colorful digital art.
Lost Package, The
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jessica Lanan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a dark-skinned boy finds a box that has fallen out of a USPS truck, he decides to deliver the package himself. Masterful watercolor illustrations.
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jessica Lanan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a dark-skinned boy finds a box that has fallen out of a USPS truck, he decides to deliver the package himself. Masterful watercolor illustrations.
Maybe...
Chris Haughton
Illustrator: Chris Haughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated wide-eyed monkeys displayed on vivid red backgrounds are warned by their mother to stay away from the mango grove for fear of tigers. Do they listen?
Chris Haughton
Illustrator: Chris Haughton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated wide-eyed monkeys displayed on vivid red backgrounds are warned by their mother to stay away from the mango grove for fear of tigers. Do they listen?