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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Mama Will Be Home Soon
by Nancy Minchella
Illustrator: Keiko Narahashi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Grandmother comforts Lili during her mother's short time away.
by Nancy Minchella
Illustrator: Keiko Narahashi
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Grandmother comforts Lili during her mother's short time away.
Mommy Hugs
by Anne Gutman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Each mother animal hugs her baby in her own special way.
by Anne Gutman
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Each mother animal hugs her baby in her own special way.
Mommy's Best Kisses
by Margaret Anastas
Illustrator: Susan Winter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Playful relationship between animal mamas and their babies. Gentle rhymes and illustrations.
by Margaret Anastas
Illustrator: Susan Winter
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Playful relationship between animal mamas and their babies. Gentle rhymes and illustrations.
Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile
by Won-Ldy Paye
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A clever chicken outwits a crocodile. A humorous retelling of a Liberian tale. Colorful gouache illustrations.
by Won-Ldy Paye
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A clever chicken outwits a crocodile. A humorous retelling of a Liberian tale. Colorful gouache illustrations.
My Favorite Bear
written and ill. by Andrea Gabriel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A mother bear describes different kinds of bears to her cub. Additional facts at the end.
written and ill. by Andrea Gabriel
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A mother bear describes different kinds of bears to her cub. Additional facts at the end.
My Grandma Is Coming to Town
by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
It's hard when grandma lives far away. A sweet family story.
by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
It's hard when grandma lives far away. A sweet family story.
Night Walk
by Jill Jewsome
Illustrator: Claudio Munoz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Two old buddies on a night time adventure. Depicts a loving friendship.
by Jill Jewsome
Illustrator: Claudio Munoz
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Two old buddies on a night time adventure. Depicts a loving friendship.
Oh No, Gotta Go!
by Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Lively verse sprinkled with Spanish describes the need for a bathroom on the road.
by Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Lively verse sprinkled with Spanish describes the need for a bathroom on the road.
Olivia...and the Missing Toy
written and ill. by Ian Falconer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A precocious pig discovers the fate of her favorite doll. Humorous illustrations.
written and ill. by Ian Falconer
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A precocious pig discovers the fate of her favorite doll. Humorous illustrations.
Olvina Flies
written and ill. by Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A plucky chicken overcomes her fear and takes an airplane to Hawaii. Humorous text and bright pictures.
written and ill. by Grace Lin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A plucky chicken overcomes her fear and takes an airplane to Hawaii. Humorous text and bright pictures.
One Child, One Seed
by Kathryn Cave
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
An engaging portrayal of life in rural South Africa with wonderful photographs.
by Kathryn Cave
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
An engaging portrayal of life in rural South Africa with wonderful photographs.
One Dark Night
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Ivan Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Mole and Mouse set off for the glen through the dark scary night and meet up with Bear.
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Ivan Bates
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Mole and Mouse set off for the glen through the dark scary night and meet up with Bear.
One Nighttime Sea
by Deborah Lee Rose
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Count 1 to 10 fascinating sea creatures. Rhyming verse and astounding illustrations.
by Deborah Lee Rose
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Count 1 to 10 fascinating sea creatures. Rhyming verse and astounding illustrations.
Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin, Jr
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Endangered animals are the subject of this tale for the very young.
by Bill Martin, Jr
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Endangered animals are the subject of this tale for the very young.
Pig Enough
written and ill. by Janie Bynum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A guinea pig finds a way to be accepted by his peers.
written and ill. by Janie Bynum
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A guinea pig finds a way to be accepted by his peers.
Piggies in a Polka
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A light-hearted evening of music and dance at the annual hootenanny. Rhythmic text and amusing illustrations.
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A light-hearted evening of music and dance at the annual hootenanny. Rhythmic text and amusing illustrations.
Piggy in My Pocket
written and ill. by Hui-Mei Pan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Words about food and animals in two pull-the-flap stories.
written and ill. by Hui-Mei Pan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Words about food and animals in two pull-the-flap stories.
Pigs, Pigs, Pigs!
by Leslea Newman
Illustrator: Erika Oller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Humorous rhymed tale of lively pigs coming to town. Delightful watercolors.
by Leslea Newman
Illustrator: Erika Oller
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Humorous rhymed tale of lively pigs coming to town. Delightful watercolors.
Quiet!
by Paul Bright
Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Mama and Papa Lion try to keep the jungle animals quiet so Baby can take his nap.
by Paul Bright
Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Mama and Papa Lion try to keep the jungle animals quiet so Baby can take his nap.
Recycle Every Day!
written and ill. by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Minna's family helps her gather good ideas for a school poster competition. Delightful collages composed of recycled materials.
written and ill. by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Minna's family helps her gather good ideas for a school poster competition. Delightful collages composed of recycled materials.
Rub-a-Dub Sub
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A child's adventure in his tub with a wide variety of imaginary animals. Bright acrylic illustrations.
by Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
A child's adventure in his tub with a wide variety of imaginary animals. Bright acrylic illustrations.
Snuggle Mountain
by Lindsey Lane
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Imaginative rendition of the morning ritual of waking up parents.
by Lindsey Lane
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Imaginative rendition of the morning ritual of waking up parents.
Spike in Trouble
written and ill. by Paulette Bogan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Blamed for things he didn't do, the dog Spike is sent to obedience school. Eventually he figures out who was really responsible. Funny illustrations.
written and ill. by Paulette Bogan
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Blamed for things he didn't do, the dog Spike is sent to obedience school. Eventually he figures out who was really responsible. Funny illustrations.
Stanley's Party
by Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Little by little, Stanley stops being such a good dog, with hilarious results.
by Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Little by little, Stanley stops being such a good dog, with hilarious results.
Sumi's First Day of School Ever
by Soyung Pak
Illustrator: Joung Un Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Facing her first day of school, a little Korean girl is met with kindness. Sensitive illustrations.
by Soyung Pak
Illustrator: Joung Un Kim
Ages: 5 & Under
Published: 2003
Facing her first day of school, a little Korean girl is met with kindness. Sensitive illustrations.