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 - 20 of 24  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 Frank and Bert.
Series:
Frank and Bert volume 1.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-6
Description:
This laugh-out-loud picture book follows best friends Frank and Bert as they play hide-and-seek, but when Bert isn't so good at hiding (despite thinking he is), Frank must decide between winning or making Bert happy.
Book cover for Hornbeam all in.
Series:
Hornbeam books volume 1.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
Hornbeam the moose goes on a picnic with his best friend Eureka, sleeps over at his friend Cuddy's house, and learns how to swim with Adorabelle.
Book cover for How to count to one.
Notes:
Concept Books;2-4
Description:
"Get ready to show off your skills in this fun new counting book! But not everything is as it seems . . . is this book really only about counting to "ONE?" Because there are SO MANY fun things that you could count. But wait --maybe there's a way to outsmart the book . . . and count all the way up to 100!"--Provided by publisher.
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.
Book cover for Little Umar's Search.
Notes:
Picture Books;1-4

11. 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 Mnoomin maan'gowing.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
Written in Anishinaabemowin and English, the story opens at harvest time. A child holds a mnoomin seed and imagines all the life that made a single seed possible―Mayfly, Pike, Muskrat, Eagle and Moose, all had a part to play in bringing the seed into being. What will happen if the seed sprouts? Underwater leaves will shelter young fish, shoots will protect ducklings, stalks will feed larvae, in turn providing food for bats…until finally mnoomin...
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 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 Sometimes when I'm worried.
Notes:
Understanding Oneself and Others;3-7
Description:
"This picture book, written in the first person, is gentle, supportive, and straightforward. It describes a child's experience with worry and the many ways it can surface, as well as ways to cope with what can be a challenging emotion for young children. Back matter for adults offers more context and expands on the information in the book"-- "Children learn practical strategies for coping with worry and anxiety. Gentle, supportive, and straightforward,...
Book cover for Sorry, snail.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
A girl takes out her anger on an innocent snail, who, in turn, seeks a sincere apology.