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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I'm a Little Pumpkin (I'm a Little series)
Hannah Eliot
Illustrator: Anna Daviscourt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This introduction to all varieties of pumpkins, in verse, can be sung to the tune of “I'm a Little Teapot.” Humorous mixed-media illustrations.
Hannah Eliot
Illustrator: Anna Daviscourt
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This introduction to all varieties of pumpkins, in verse, can be sung to the tune of “I'm a Little Teapot.” Humorous mixed-media illustrations.
I'm Terrified of Bath Time
Simon Rich
Illustrator: Tom Toro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
An anthropomorphized bathtub shares its dread of having its space violated by its recalcitrant toddler bather. Can the experience be made better for both? Cartoon-style illustrations highlight the tub's complaints.
Simon Rich
Illustrator: Tom Toro
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
An anthropomorphized bathtub shares its dread of having its space violated by its recalcitrant toddler bather. Can the experience be made better for both? Cartoon-style illustrations highlight the tub's complaints.
I'm Up!
Antoinette Portis
Illustrator: Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Early-riser baby wakes everybody up! Sunny, mixed-media illustrations.
Antoinette Portis
Illustrator: Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Early-riser baby wakes everybody up! Sunny, mixed-media illustrations.
In Our Teeny Tiny Matzah House
Bill Wurtzel and Claire Wurtzel
Illustrator: Bill Wurtzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Told by Kitzel the cat, this rollicking holiday tale is reminiscent of the Yiddish folktale "It Could Be Worse." Food art collage illustrations enliven the story.
Bill Wurtzel and Claire Wurtzel
Illustrator: Bill Wurtzel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Told by Kitzel the cat, this rollicking holiday tale is reminiscent of the Yiddish folktale "It Could Be Worse." Food art collage illustrations enliven the story.
I Want My Book Back
Viviane Elbee
Illustrator: Nicole Miies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Can Daryl ever find consolation after being devastated when he is unable to renew his favorite dinosaur book? Emotive humorous bold color illustrations.
Viviane Elbee
Illustrator: Nicole Miies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Can Daryl ever find consolation after being devastated when he is unable to renew his favorite dinosaur book? Emotive humorous bold color illustrations.
I Won't Give Up My Rubber Band
Shinsuke Yoshitake
Illustrator: Shinsuke Yoshitake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A little girl uses a rubber band imaginatively to expand her world. Pen and digital illustrations.
Shinsuke Yoshitake
Illustrator: Shinsuke Yoshitake
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A little girl uses a rubber band imaginatively to expand her world. Pen and digital illustrations.
Joy Ride
Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Ana Ramirez González
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This is a winning combination: a loving supportive grandfather, a unique bicycle, and a girl who figures out what is important to her. Appealing digital illustrations.
Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Ana Ramirez González
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This is a winning combination: a loving supportive grandfather, a unique bicycle, and a girl who figures out what is important to her. Appealing digital illustrations.
Kunoichi Bunny
Sara Cassidy
Illustrator: Brayden Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A toddler, unbeknownst to her stroller-pushing father, uses her stuffed bunny throughout the day to prevent potential disasters. Wordless graphic format with muted palette.
Sara Cassidy
Illustrator: Brayden Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A toddler, unbeknownst to her stroller-pushing father, uses her stuffed bunny throughout the day to prevent potential disasters. Wordless graphic format with muted palette.
Leila, the Perfect Witch
Flavia Z. Drago
Illustrator: Flavia Z. Drago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Leila enters the witchy cake-off to prove her worth in the Dark Arts of Patisserie. She learns winning isn't the only way to have fun. Humor enhanced by comic illustrations.
Flavia Z. Drago
Illustrator: Flavia Z. Drago
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Leila enters the witchy cake-off to prove her worth in the Dark Arts of Patisserie. She learns winning isn't the only way to have fun. Humor enhanced by comic illustrations.
Let's Do Everything and Nothing
Julia Kuo
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This lyrical ode shows the love between a parent and child. Digital illustrations portray this bond in both imaginary and everyday moments.
Julia Kuo
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This lyrical ode shows the love between a parent and child. Digital illustrations portray this bond in both imaginary and everyday moments.
Lily Leads the Way
Margi Preus
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A tiny boat in the Great Lakes harbor saves the day when the tall ships come to town. Bold oil paint art. Back matter about bridges.
Margi Preus
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A tiny boat in the Great Lakes harbor saves the day when the tall ships come to town. Bold oil paint art. Back matter about bridges.
Line in the Sand, The
Thao Lam
Illustrator: Thao Lam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Monsters cavort together in the sand until they discover a line drawn in it, sparking a boundary war. Chaos ensues, obliterating the line. Now what? Bold geometrical illustrations. Wordless.
Thao Lam
Illustrator: Thao Lam
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Monsters cavort together in the sand until they discover a line drawn in it, sparking a boundary war. Chaos ensues, obliterating the line. Now what? Bold geometrical illustrations. Wordless.
Little Bat Up All Day
Brian Lies
Illustrator: Brian Lies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Rusty the Squirrel and Little Bat may have different sleep schedules, but they develop a way to keep their friendship going. Realistic mixed-media illustrations.
Brian Lies
Illustrator: Brian Lies
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Rusty the Squirrel and Little Bat may have different sleep schedules, but they develop a way to keep their friendship going. Realistic mixed-media illustrations.
Little Houses
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A girl goes out with her grandparents to the beach to collect shells and wonders about the creatures who once lived in them. Dreamy acrylic illustrations.
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A girl goes out with her grandparents to the beach to collect shells and wonders about the creatures who once lived in them. Dreamy acrylic illustrations.
Little Santa's Workshop
Lala Watkins
Illustrator: Lala Watkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Little Santa's getting ready for Christmas. He and his elves are building toys, checking lists, and making treats for his visit on Christmas Eve. Inviting graphics.
Lala Watkins
Illustrator: Lala Watkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Little Santa's getting ready for Christmas. He and his elves are building toys, checking lists, and making treats for his visit on Christmas Eve. Inviting graphics.
Long Ride Home, The
Stephanie Graegin
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
It's hard when a best friend moves far away. Digitally created muted color illustrations evoke nostalgia.
Stephanie Graegin
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
It's hard when a best friend moves far away. Digitally created muted color illustrations evoke nostalgia.
Look and Listen: Who's in the Garden, Meadow, Brook?
Dianne White
Illustrator: Amy Schimler-Safford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The beauty of the natural world is conveyed through rhyming text and striking collage artwork, using a simple question and answer format. Back matter extends the information.
Dianne White
Illustrator: Amy Schimler-Safford
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The beauty of the natural world is conveyed through rhyming text and striking collage artwork, using a simple question and answer format. Back matter extends the information.
Love Is All Around (Brown Baby Parade series)
Nikki Shannon Smith
Illustrator: Ronique Ellis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A big sister notices all the ways that love is part of her day. Mixed-media illustrations
Nikki Shannon Smith
Illustrator: Ronique Ellis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A big sister notices all the ways that love is part of her day. Mixed-media illustrations
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
Nina LaCour
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Mommy leaves on a business trip. The separation is very hard, despite much love and support from all the grown-ups. Vibrant, detailed mixed-media illustrations.
Nina LaCour
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Mommy leaves on a business trip. The separation is very hard, despite much love and support from all the grown-ups. Vibrant, detailed mixed-media illustrations.
Me and My Mama
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Black children of various skin tones and physical appearances reflect on the love they have for their mothers. Colorful illustrations.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Black children of various skin tones and physical appearances reflect on the love they have for their mothers. Colorful illustrations.
Me and the Family Tree
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A young Black girl discovers the ways in which she is part of her family, even though she is unique. Lively, colorful illustrations accompany the lyrical rhyming text.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A young Black girl discovers the ways in which she is part of her family, even though she is unique. Lively, colorful illustrations accompany the lyrical rhyming text.
Millions of Maxes
Meg Wolitzer
Illustrator: Micah Player
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Max discovers he is not the one and only Max —a great name he is happy to share. Warm, engaging illustrations of the various Maxes.
Meg Wolitzer
Illustrator: Micah Player
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Max discovers he is not the one and only Max —a great name he is happy to share. Warm, engaging illustrations of the various Maxes.
Most Important Thing, The
Antonella Abbatiello
Illustrator: Antonella Abbatiello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Animals all think their special characteristics are the most important, but find that such traits are absurd when superimposed on other animals. Large fold-out colored pages celebrate diversity.
Antonella Abbatiello
Illustrator: Antonella Abbatiello
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Animals all think their special characteristics are the most important, but find that such traits are absurd when superimposed on other animals. Large fold-out colored pages celebrate diversity.
Mother Goose Goes to India
Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal
Illustrator: Wazza Pink
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Fifteen classic European rhymes are reimagined with Hindi words, such as London Bridge becoming Tunga Bridge. Vibrant artwork captures the sights and sounds of modern India.
Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal
Illustrator: Wazza Pink
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Fifteen classic European rhymes are reimagined with Hindi words, such as London Bridge becoming Tunga Bridge. Vibrant artwork captures the sights and sounds of modern India.
Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back, The
Jonathan Stutzman
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Mouse takes his magical ever-expanding house to places where animals, big and small, require food and shelter, and makes them all welcome. Mixed-media illustrations with double-page spreads and center foldouts.
Jonathan Stutzman
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Mouse takes his magical ever-expanding house to places where animals, big and small, require food and shelter, and makes them all welcome. Mixed-media illustrations with double-page spreads and center foldouts.