CCBC Choices 2024 -- Young Children (ages 0-4)

The Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison compiles a yearly list of excellent books for young readers.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18  There are a total of 93 valid entries on the list.
Book cover for Beneath.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-7
Description:
Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they agree to go for a hike with Grandpa. Throughout their forest walk, they see many different things: big, strong trees with networks of roots growing underneath, still water with schools of fish swimming below, and an expectant bird with eggs nestled under her. It’s when the pair pass fellow hikers that Finn realizes that people, just like the elements...
Book cover for Boyogi.
Notes:
Understanding Oneself and Others;4-8
Description:
"Ever since Daddy returned from overseas, he’s been different. At first, Butta Bean thinks it’s his fault—that maybe his daddy doesn’t love him anymore. But Mama explains that Daddy’s mind is hurt from things that happened while he was away. When Mama takes them all to yoga class at their local YMCA, Daddy doesn’t want to go at first, and Butta Bean thinks it looks weird. But as Daddy and Butta Bean get better...
Book cover for Champion chompers, super stinkers and other poems by extraordinary animals.
Notes:
Poetry;4-8
Description:
"Step right up, animal lovers! It's your turn to judge in this poetic competition of superlative animal abilities. Structured as a guessing game competition, and told through deftly crafted persona poems, the book celebrates animals' standout qualities, from the biggest (blue whale) to the smallest (shrew), with all the favorite creatures (speedy cheetahs, long-necked giraffes) plus some less common animals with equally amazing abilities (long-lived...
Book cover for Dim Sum Palace.
Author:
Notes:
Picture Books;4-7
Description:
"Liddy is so excited about going to the Dim Sum Palace tomorrow with her family that she can't sleep. So when a delicious smell wafts into her room, she hops out of bed, opens her door and steps into... an actual palace of dim sum! There are dumplings, baos, buns and more delicious treats than one girl can possibly eat. Liddy just has to take a bite, but she slips and falls... into a bowl of dumpling filling. The chefs are so busy rolling, folding...
Book cover for Finding family.
Notes:
Science, Technology, and the Natural World;3-7
Description:
On a lake in northern Wisconsin in 2019, loon researchers were surprised to discover a mother and father loon caring for a mallard duckling. Normally loons and mallards live very different lives and do not get along. Follow along as the duckling grows and displays a mix of both loon behaviors and mallard behaviors. Intriguing verse and striking illustrations combine in this heartwarming tale of unexpected animal cooperation.
Book cover for Happy Halloweenie.
Notes:
Seasons and Celebrations;2-5
Description:
"A loveable hot dog named Weenie gets dressed up for Halloween....Weenie loves Halloween, but try as they might, just can’t decide what to be on this night. What will Weenie choose to be? Should they be cute or scary? Hairless or hairy? On a night like Halloween, the choices are endless!" --publisher's website
Book cover for The kitten story.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-8
Description:
"When a cat-loving family decides to bring home a pet, their quest reveals the highs and lows of everyday family life in this heartwarming story perfect for kitten lovers and everyone who's ever longed for a pet."--Provided by publisher.

8. Mine!

Book cover for Mine!.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-6
Description:
In a tall, tall tree, at the tip-tippy top, hangs a single red apple... Along skirts Mouse. “An apple!” she squeaks, "How divine! When it tumbles to the ground, it’ll all be mine!” And so it goes, for Hare, Fox, Deer, and Bear, who each can't wait to get their hands on the apple. Soon the wind huffs and puffs, the branch snips and snaps, and down the apple falls. Only one shiny red apple for five furry creatures? What are they to do?!
Book cover for More than words.
Author:
Notes:
Understanding Oneself and Others;4-7
Description:
Quietly observing the many different ways his classmates communicate, Nathan learns that understanding and being mindful of one another are the greatest bridges to friendship and belonging, in this moving picture book that explores and celebrates many forms of expression.
Book cover for My Family Haggadah.
Notes:
Seasons and Celebrations;birth-2
Description:
Kar-Ben Read-Aloud eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and text highlighting to bring eBooks to life! A colorful board book haggadah for the youngest seder-goer highlighting the main parts of the ceremonial meal. A Page Plus QR code in the book links to Songs for a Family Seder. "A sweet and very welcome introduction and accompaniment to a lovely and joyous springtime festival."―Kirkus Reviews
Book cover for Night owl night.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
"Sova's mother studies owls and their migration patterns, and one night, when Sova is old enough, she accompanies her mother to observe and tag saw-whet owls in the woods"--
Book cover for Okra stew.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-7
Description:
Papa has something special planned for tonight's family dinner--and Bobo can't wait! Excited to learn how to make okra stew like his ancestors, Bobo helps Papa pick veggies from the garden, catch shrimp from the creek, rain down rice in the pot, simmer the stew, and even make a tasty side of cornbread. When the stew begins to bubble and pop, Bobo and his family gather around for a mouthwatering feast.
Book cover for Our pool.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-7
Description:
It's pool day in the city and everyone is welcome.
Book cover for The red jacket.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-7
Description:
"Bob loves his red jacket. The red jacket makes him feel swanky cool. The red jacket makes other seagulls notice him and even speak to him. But when a wave washes it away, will Bob lose his cool and his newfound friends, too?"--
Book cover for Sometimes I cry.
Author:
Notes:
Understanding Oneself and Others;3-7
Description:
Sometimes it's the sting from a fall that brings tears to your eyes, but other times it's laughing so hard from a tickle fight that you start to cry. Follow a young boy as he explores the wide range of emotions that cause him to cry - from joy to disappointment, from laughter to pain, from love to grief. Through moving and lyrical prose, this work offers a gentle, necessary affirmation of the emotional complexity of growing up, particularly for a...
Book cover for What do brothas do all day?.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-8
Description:
"A picture book with illustrated portraits of real Black men celebrating the daily lives and activities of African Americans, from visiting the barber shop to exploring outer space"--
Book cover for What if I'm not a cat?.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-7
Description:
A sweet, playful story about identity - and what it means to belong. Why, of course Donkey's a cat. He spends all his time with the other cats on the farm. He licks his fur and pounces, just like they do. He even cuddles with them at nap time. Though, he must admit, sometimes he does feel a little off. So, when Farmer says to him, Donkey, you're acting like a cat! it gets him thinking. What if he's not a cat? And if not, then what is he? Will going...
Book cover for You go first.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-6
Description:
Cat and Duck are very good friends and play together all the time, so when the new slide gets built, they can’t wait to try it out! Only, the slide is very big and curvy—what if it’s too big for Cat? As Cat and Duck move closer to the front of the line, Cat imagines everything that could go wrong until his worries start to rub off on Duck. Now Duck doesn’t want to go down the slide either. Cat feels bad that Duck is missing out on the fun...