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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Bear Can't Wait
Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As Bear and his friends get ready to throw a surprise party, Bear almost ruins everything when he gets too excited. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.
Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As Bear and his friends get ready to throw a surprise party, Bear almost ruins everything when he gets too excited. Vibrant acrylic illustrations.
Bear Wants To Sing
Cary Fagan
Illustrator: Dena Seiferling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Subtle graphite illustrations capture Bear's frustration and dejection as his song gets interrupted, and his ultimate joy when a friend stands by his side.
Cary Fagan
Illustrator: Dena Seiferling
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Subtle graphite illustrations capture Bear's frustration and dejection as his song gets interrupted, and his ultimate joy when a friend stands by his side.
Beautiful Day!: Petite Poems for All Seasons
Rodoula Pappa
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A boy experiences the seasons through haiku-inspired poems. Stylized, delicate, colorful illustrations with origami, carp kites, and other Japanese objects.
Rodoula Pappa
Illustrator: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A boy experiences the seasons through haiku-inspired poems. Stylized, delicate, colorful illustrations with origami, carp kites, and other Japanese objects.
Best Place in the World, The
Petr Horáček
Illustrator: Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Is Hare's meadow the best, most beautiful place? Hare explores and discovers what makes his meadow special. Splashy, brilliant colors in full-page spreads.
Petr Horáček
Illustrator: Petr Horáček
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Is Hare's meadow the best, most beautiful place? Hare explores and discovers what makes his meadow special. Splashy, brilliant colors in full-page spreads.
Big House and the Little House, The
Yoshi Ueno
Illustrator: Emiko Fujishima
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a storm threatens Mouse's little house, his newly found friend and neighbor, Bear, comes to the rescue. Gentle pastel palette with miniature details.
Yoshi Ueno
Illustrator: Emiko Fujishima
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
When a storm threatens Mouse's little house, his newly found friend and neighbor, Bear, comes to the rescue. Gentle pastel palette with miniature details.
Black and White
Debora Vogrig
Illustrator: Pia Valentinis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Black invites White to join forces. Galloping zebras, a chess set and a piano keyboard are some of the bold images these opposites create.
Debora Vogrig
Illustrator: Pia Valentinis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Black invites White to join forces. Galloping zebras, a chess set and a piano keyboard are some of the bold images these opposites create.
Blue Floats Away
Travis Jonker
Illustrator: Grant Snider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An iceberg floats away from his parents, experiences the ocean, and undergoes a sequence of physical changes before returning home. Mixed-media collage illustrations.
Travis Jonker
Illustrator: Grant Snider
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An iceberg floats away from his parents, experiences the ocean, and undergoes a sequence of physical changes before returning home. Mixed-media collage illustrations.
Bodies are Cool
Tyler Feder
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhythmic, rhyming tribute to every individual, and every type of physical characteristic. Vibrant colors help bring home the cheerful message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Tyler Feder
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Rhythmic, rhyming tribute to every individual, and every type of physical characteristic. Vibrant colors help bring home the cheerful message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Boo! Baa, La La La!
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A cow sends forth a Halloween greeting and is met by a chorus of animals returning the spooky salutation. Humorous, mixed-media illustrations.
Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Sandra Boynton
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A cow sends forth a Halloween greeting and is met by a chorus of animals returning the spooky salutation. Humorous, mixed-media illustrations.
Brave as a Mouse
Nicolò Carozzi
Illustrator: Nicolò Carozzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated life-like muted pastel illustrations and minimal text show the dramatic moments when mice ingeniously protect their goldfish friend from looming disaster.
Nicolò Carozzi
Illustrator: Nicolò Carozzi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Animated life-like muted pastel illustrations and minimal text show the dramatic moments when mice ingeniously protect their goldfish friend from looming disaster.
Bright Brown Baby A Treasury
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A collection of stories uplift Black and Brown babies and encourage love, affirmation and understanding of child development through family interactions. Goauche and acrylic illustrations.
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A collection of stories uplift Black and Brown babies and encourage love, affirmation and understanding of child development through family interactions. Goauche and acrylic illustrations.
Bubbles... Up!
Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a mother and younger sibling look on, an exuberant child frolics in a neighborhood pool. A celebration of swimming and splashing; imaginative word-play, effervescent digital art. (28)
Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
As a mother and younger sibling look on, an exuberant child frolics in a neighborhood pool. A celebration of swimming and splashing; imaginative word-play, effervescent digital art. (28)
Carpenter's Helper
Sybil Rosen
Illustrator: Camille Garoche
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Renata loves helping Papi build their new bathroom, but the project is interrupted when a wren comes to nest above the bathtub. Rich language and detailed illustrations.
Sybil Rosen
Illustrator: Camille Garoche
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Renata loves helping Papi build their new bathroom, but the project is interrupted when a wren comes to nest above the bathtub. Rich language and detailed illustrations.
Chaiwala!
Priti Birla Maheshwari
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Richly hued collages and simple text describe a train stop in Jaipur where an Indian mother and daughter have just enough time for a delicious drink of chai.
Priti Birla Maheshwari
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Richly hued collages and simple text describe a train stop in Jaipur where an Indian mother and daughter have just enough time for a delicious drink of chai.
Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle: A Hatchling's Daring Race to the Sea
Kelly Jordan
Illustrator: Sally Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Simple rythmic text and vivid print and digital illustrations depict turtle hatchlings' journey across the dangerous sand to the sea.
Kelly Jordan
Illustrator: Sally Walker
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Simple rythmic text and vivid print and digital illustrations depict turtle hatchlings' journey across the dangerous sand to the sea.
Chez Bob
Bob Shea
Illustrator: Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Birdseed featured on the menu of a restaurant attracts birdsfor the alligator owner to devour. But, will making new friends prove even more delicious? Zany illustrations.
Bob Shea
Illustrator: Bob Shea
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Birdseed featured on the menu of a restaurant attracts birdsfor the alligator owner to devour. But, will making new friends prove even more delicious? Zany illustrations.
Circles All Around Us, The
Brad Montague
Illustrator: Brad Montague and Kristi Montague
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A child finds a rewarding exercise in drawing larger and larger circles to widen their world, enhancing it. Simple effective analog and digital illustrations
Brad Montague
Illustrator: Brad Montague and Kristi Montague
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A child finds a rewarding exercise in drawing larger and larger circles to widen their world, enhancing it. Simple effective analog and digital illustrations
City Baby
Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An Asian mom and baby walk through their diverse North American city, visiting the park, a café, and a festival. Bold collage and digital illustrations.
Laurie Elmquist
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
An Asian mom and baby walk through their diverse North American city, visiting the park, a café, and a festival. Bold collage and digital illustrations.
Daddy
Leslie Patricelli
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Daddy can do everything (according to a diapered narrator)! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany simple rhyming text.
Leslie Patricelli
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Daddy can do everything (according to a diapered narrator)! Bright, acrylic illustrations accompany simple rhyming text.
Day the Rain Moved In, The
Éléonore Douspis
Illustrator: Éléonore Douspis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A family's persistent source of distress and sadness is ameliorated by looking at things through the wondering eyes of others. Digital art in a subdued palette.
Éléonore Douspis
Illustrator: Éléonore Douspis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A family's persistent source of distress and sadness is ameliorated by looking at things through the wondering eyes of others. Digital art in a subdued palette.
Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It)
Carrie Finison
Illustrator: Daniel Wiseman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Need a clear, polite way for children to assert their right to being hugged or not? Constructive alternative greetings offered. Vibrant digital illustrations.
Carrie Finison
Illustrator: Daniel Wiseman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
Need a clear, polite way for children to assert their right to being hugged or not? Constructive alternative greetings offered. Vibrant digital illustrations.
Ducks on the Road: A Counting Adventure
Anita Lobel
Illustrator: Anita Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
On a walk behind mama and papa, 10 baby ducks are distracted by new friends. Invites participation; charming gouache and colored pencil art.
Anita Lobel
Illustrator: Anita Lobel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
On a walk behind mama and papa, 10 baby ducks are distracted by new friends. Invites participation; charming gouache and colored pencil art.
Everybody in the Red Brick Building
Anne Wynter
Illustrator: Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
The colorful collage art aptly depicts the sounds that wake apartment dwellers from their sleep. Word repetition makes this urban bedtime story a great read aloud.
Anne Wynter
Illustrator: Oge Mora
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
The colorful collage art aptly depicts the sounds that wake apartment dwellers from their sleep. Word repetition makes this urban bedtime story a great read aloud.
Families Can
Dan Saks
Illustrator: Brooke Smart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A celebration of the American family in its many permutations. Charming illustrations representing diverse households.
Dan Saks
Illustrator: Brooke Smart
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A celebration of the American family in its many permutations. Charming illustrations representing diverse households.
Family Reunion
Chad Richardson, Dad Richardson
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young boy reluctantly attends the reunion of his extended African American family and finds he really enjoys getting to know everybody. Vibrant illustrations.
Chad Richardson, Dad Richardson
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2021
A young boy reluctantly attends the reunion of his extended African American family and finds he really enjoys getting to know everybody. Vibrant illustrations.