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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Ruffles and the Teeny Tiny Kittens (Ruffles Series)
David Melling
Illustrator: David Melling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The plot vehicle of a dog ultimately willing to share with kittens is used to introduce action words paired with whimsical animated illustrations.
David Melling
Illustrator: David Melling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The plot vehicle of a dog ultimately willing to share with kittens is used to introduce action words paired with whimsical animated illustrations.
Rumble and Roar: Sound around the World
Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Four children in different parts of the world enjoy nature's sounds. Lush mixed-media illustrations. Back matter includes scientific information.
Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Four children in different parts of the world enjoy nature's sounds. Lush mixed-media illustrations. Back matter includes scientific information.
Sea (Look, Touch, Learn series)
Illustrator: Charlotte Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Images of the sea are depicted in bright colors, shapes, moving parts, and tactile elements to stimulate very young babies during "tummy time."
Illustrator: Charlotte Archer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Images of the sea are depicted in bright colors, shapes, moving parts, and tactile elements to stimulate very young babies during "tummy time."
Seed Grows, A
Antoinette Portis
Illustrator: Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Follow a sunflower's life cycle as it grows from a seed until it reseeds. Artwork uses varied printing techniques (including potato stamping and printing with a celery stalk). Back matter.
Antoinette Portis
Illustrator: Antoinette Portis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Follow a sunflower's life cycle as it grows from a seed until it reseeds. Artwork uses varied printing techniques (including potato stamping and printing with a celery stalk). Back matter.
See You Someday Soon
Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Suzy Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The distance between a grandchild and grandmother who live far apart is lessened by their shared language and playful modes of staying in touch. Engaging illustrations include die-cuts.
Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Suzy Lee
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The distance between a grandchild and grandmother who live far apart is lessened by their shared language and playful modes of staying in touch. Engaging illustrations include die-cuts.
Solitary Animals: Introverts of the Wild
Joshua David Stein
Illustrator: Dominique Ramsey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Observe a parade of elephants and other animals who live together, as well as animals who live alone, like the solitary eagle. Striking digital illustrations. Back matter.
Joshua David Stein
Illustrator: Dominique Ramsey
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Observe a parade of elephants and other animals who live together, as well as animals who live alone, like the solitary eagle. Striking digital illustrations. Back matter.
Sometimes All I Need Is Me
Juliana Perdomo
Illustrator: Juliana Perdomo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Vivid digital folk art and simple text capture a young girl's ways of building confidence when faced with new situations.
Juliana Perdomo
Illustrator: Juliana Perdomo
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Vivid digital folk art and simple text capture a young girl's ways of building confidence when faced with new situations.
Sometimes I Grumblesquinch (Big Feelings series)
Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Docile Katie "grumblesquinches" her less appealing emotions deep inside until "kaplooming" in frustration. Ultimately, she learns that whatever she's feeling, she is always lovable. Childlike colored pencil art. Back matter.
Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Docile Katie "grumblesquinches" her less appealing emotions deep inside until "kaplooming" in frustration. Ultimately, she learns that whatever she's feeling, she is always lovable. Childlike colored pencil art. Back matter.
Sometimes Love
Katrina Moore
Illustrator: Joy Hwang Ruiz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The relationship of a loving, mixed-race military family and their dog is challenged as they move from post to post. Back matter and expressive digital art.
Katrina Moore
Illustrator: Joy Hwang Ruiz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The relationship of a loving, mixed-race military family and their dog is challenged as they move from post to post. Back matter and expressive digital art.
Song in the City
Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Jenin Mohammed
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A young blind Black girl experiences the city through sound and shares the song with her hesitant grandmother. Digital illustrations make the sound effects jump off the pages.
Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrator: Jenin Mohammed
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A young blind Black girl experiences the city through sound and shares the song with her hesitant grandmother. Digital illustrations make the sound effects jump off the pages.
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.