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 26  There are a total of 93 valid entries on the list.
Book cover for Afikomen.
Notes:
Seasons and Celebrations;4-8
Description:
"When a family settles at the table for Passover, their dog nabs the afikomen bag (containing matzah used for the seder) and dives under the tablecloth. The children follow him and find themselves transported to ancient Egypt. There, they see baby Moses’ mother and sister Miriam placing him in a reed basket. The baby’s journey down the Nile is hazardous — he encounters several obstacles along the way, including a wily crocodile. Thanks to the...
Book cover for Ancient night.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
"Ancient Night is a twist on two Nahuatl traditions: the rabbit which the Feathered Serpent placed on the moon, and Yaushu, the Lord Opossum who ruled the earth before humans came, and who stole fire from the gods to create the sun. Award-winning author David Bowles has written a poetic text - and carefully researched backmatter - to accompany David's lush illustrations and story."--
Book cover for The babka sisters.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-7
Description:
"Dueling baker sisters Esther and Hester meet their new neighbor Sylvester, who gladly becomes their babka tester, determining which shvester's (sister's) babka is the best"--

4. Big

Book cover for Big.
Notes:
Understanding Oneself and Others;4-8
Description:
The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning creator Vashti Harrison traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel invisible at the same time.
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 The christmassy cactus.
Author:
Notes:
Seasons and Celebrations;4-7
Description:
"Tiny Cactus loves Christmas! But she doesn’t love that her little girl seems to be spending more time with the giant sparkly tree in the living room than with her. Maybe if she were decorated like the Christmas tree, her little girl would notice her again." --
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 Fox has a problem.
Notes:
Books for Beginning Readers;4-7
Description:
"Fox has a not-so-new problem, and every possible solution leads to more problems for the other animals, until they all come together with the ultimate fix." --
Book cover for Gertie.
Notes:
Historical People, Places, and Events;4-8
Description:
"In 1945, against the backdrop of WWII, a soon-to-be-mama duck builds a nest in a precarious spot in the city of Milwaukee. Soon, news outlets around the world are carrying the hopeful story of the plucky duck"--
Book cover for Gigi and Ojiji.
Notes:
Books for Beginning Readers;4-8
Description:
"Gigi wants to go by something besides her baby name-but her full name, Geraldine, is too long to write and Hanako, her middle name, doesn't feel quite right. Will Gigi find the perfect name? Gigi and Ojiji: What's in a Name? is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent...
Book cover for The good hair day.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-9
Description:
"With the help from his loving and observant family, a little boy gets a birthday present that gives him the confidence to be himself and let his hair down."--
Book cover for Hedge Lion.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-7
Description:
Discover your inner-roar with Ida, and your inner kindness with Hedge Lion! Ida sees Hedge Lion every day on her walk around town. Hedge Lion wants everyone to think he's a hedge. Nobody's scared of hedges. But Ida is brave, she notices things that other people don't, and she's not fooled. She knows Hedge Lion is a lion, she just needs to help him find his roar. Along the way, Ida learns to be patient and kind, and Hedge Lion learns to be brave and...
Book cover for How does Santa go down the chimney?.
Author:
Notes:
Seasons and Celebrations;4-9
Description:
"When Santa arrives at a child's house on Christmas Eve, does he go down the chimney feetfirst or headfirst? What if he gets stuck? What if there's no chimney? Maybe he slides under the door, as thin as a piece of paper? Or is it possible he pours himself through the faucet? What happens once he's inside?" --
Book cover for Mazal Bueno!.
Notes:
Picture Books;birth-3
Description:
Kar-Ben Read-Aloud eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and text highlighting to bring eBooks to life! Parents celebrate baby's first grin to baby's first word, and all the milestones in between in this book featuring Ladino words, the language of the Sephardic Jewish community. Mazal bueno! Go, baby go!
Book cover for Moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion.
Author:
Notes:
Historical People, Places, and Events;4-8
Description:
It all started when John 'Minnie' Moore built a mine in Idaho and sold it to Englishman Henry Miller. Then Henry married a local lass named Annie and built her a mansion, hence the 'Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion.' After Henry died and Annie was hoodwinked—losing all but the mansion—she and her son took to raising pigs in the yard, as some are wont to do. But the town wanted those pigs out. Who could have guessed that Annie and her crew...
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 My mother was a nanny.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
"A girl longs for her mother's attention. But Mummy is always busy helping everyone else and their children! Day by day, the narrator recalls what it was like growing up with her mother, who was a nanny, as well as a friend, baker, maker, teacher, cleaner and more. As the youngest in her family, the girl stayed home and helped amuse the children her mother looked after. She went along on trips to the Caribbean greengrocer in their Brooklyn neighborhood,...
Book cover for Once, a bird.
Notes:
Science, Technology, and the Natural World;2-5
Description:
"In this wordless picture book, a bird emerges after winter to find the world has gone quiet. As she settles on a tree outside an apartment building, its residents notice her through their windows and find hope in her resilience and the continued rhythms of nature."--
Book cover for One, two, Grandpa loves you.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-5
Description:
"A girl and her grandfather enjoy each other's company as they go on an outdoor adventure together."--
Book cover for Our Favorite Apples.
Author:
Notes:
Concept Books;3-5
Description:
Caldecott Honor winner Grace Lin celebrates math for every kid, everywhere! Manny, Olivia, and Mei go apple picking and sort their red, green, and yellow apples by color. But then they find an apple that's all three colors. What should they do? A playful exploration of sorting, classifying, and friendship. Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories...