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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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.
Windy Days (Weather Days seriesO
Deborah Kerbel
Illustrator: Miki Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This important natural force is celebrated in rhyming couplets. Fabric collage illustrations, back matter.
Deborah Kerbel
Illustrator: Miki Sato
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
This important natural force is celebrated in rhyming couplets. Fabric collage illustrations, back matter.
Winter Bird, The
Kate Banks
Illustrator: Suzie Mason
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The nightingale unable to fly south for the winter survives with the help of the animals able to handle the cold. Beautiful digital illustrations.
Kate Banks
Illustrator: Suzie Mason
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
The nightingale unable to fly south for the winter survives with the help of the animals able to handle the cold. Beautiful digital illustrations.
Year of the Cat
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jocelyn Li Langrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A mission, organized by Rat, entices all the Zodiac animals to apologize to Cat for preventing her from finishing the Great Race, with surprising results. Colorful digital illustrations.
Richard Ho
Illustrator: Jocelyn Li Langrand
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
A mission, organized by Rat, entices all the Zodiac animals to apologize to Cat for preventing her from finishing the Great Race, with surprising results. Colorful digital illustrations.
Yes! No!: A First Conversation about Consent (First Conversations series)
Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Bold, expressive illustrations and straightforward text empowers young children to understand their own bodies, demand respect, and show respect to others. Additional content for adult readers.
Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2022
Bold, expressive illustrations and straightforward text empowers young children to understand their own bodies, demand respect, and show respect to others. Additional content for adult readers.
100 Things I Know How to Do
Amy Schwartz
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Familiar activities of young children are accompanied by bouncing couplets. Clear, vibrant gouache illustrations.
Amy Schwartz
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Familiar activities of young children are accompanied by bouncing couplets. Clear, vibrant gouache illustrations.
1 2 3 Cats: A Cat Counting Book
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming text, counting 1 to 12, felines participate in fun, kitty-centric activities. Sumi ink on watercolor paper.
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming text, counting 1 to 12, felines participate in fun, kitty-centric activities. Sumi ink on watercolor paper.
ABC Cats: An Alpha-Cat Book
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An array of twenty-six felines interact in different ways with colorful oversize alphabet letters on rhyming spreads.
Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Isabella Kung
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An array of twenty-six felines interact in different ways with colorful oversize alphabet letters on rhyming spreads.
All Dressed Up
Andrea Zimmerman
Illustrator: David Clemesha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Chef? Diver? Cowgirl? Whatever the profession and activity, each has its own attire. Bright, engaging illustrations on double-page spread.
Andrea Zimmerman
Illustrator: David Clemesha
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Chef? Diver? Cowgirl? Whatever the profession and activity, each has its own attire. Bright, engaging illustrations on double-page spread.
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors
Davina Bell
Illustrator: Jenny Løvlie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming dialog, a young boy gives his protesting mother a detailed defense of his library selection, another book about his beloved tractors. Colorful digital illustrations.
Davina Bell
Illustrator: Jenny Løvlie
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
In rhyming dialog, a young boy gives his protesting mother a detailed defense of his library selection, another book about his beloved tractors. Colorful digital illustrations.
All of Us
Kathryn Erskine
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children the world over engage in activities that exhibit love and friendship. Rhymed text and subtly-colored, soft digital illustrations.
Kathryn Erskine
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children the world over engage in activities that exhibit love and friendship. Rhymed text and subtly-colored, soft digital illustrations.
All We Need
Kathy Wolff
Illustrator: Margaux Meganck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhyming text with warm illustrations of diverse children and adults in varied settings show that everyone needs air, water, learning, homes, food, family, friends, and sharing.
Kathy Wolff
Illustrator: Margaux Meganck
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhyming text with warm illustrations of diverse children and adults in varied settings show that everyone needs air, water, learning, homes, food, family, friends, and sharing.
Atticus Caticus
Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Kara Kramer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A day in the life of a boy and his irrepressible cat. Told in a rhythmic verse. Humorous digital illustrations.
Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Kara Kramer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A day in the life of a boy and his irrepressible cat. Told in a rhythmic verse. Humorous digital illustrations.
Australian Baby Animals
Frané Lessac
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Joeys, hatchlings, chicks, fry, puggles, pups, and platypups all live as babies under the care of various parents and siblings. Simple presentation and colorful illustrations.
Frané Lessac
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Joeys, hatchlings, chicks, fry, puggles, pups, and platypups all live as babies under the care of various parents and siblings. Simple presentation and colorful illustrations.
Barking Ballad, The: A Bark-Along Meow-Along Book
Julie Paschkis
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children join in with barks and meows in this rhyming tale of a stray cat who heals an injured dog. Folk-art style illustrations.
Julie Paschkis
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Children join in with barks and meows in this rhyming tale of a stray cat who heals an injured dog. Folk-art style illustrations.
Baseball Baby
Diane Adams
Illustrator: Charlene Chua
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A toddler enjoys a baseball game with his family and, in rhyme, explains the basics. Bold illustrations. In Spanish.
Diane Adams
Illustrator: Charlene Chua
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A toddler enjoys a baseball game with his family and, in rhyme, explains the basics. Bold illustrations. In Spanish.