CCBC Choices 2024 -- Primary School (ages 5-8)

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 151 valid entries on the list.

1. 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.

2. Cape

Book cover for Cape.
Notes:
Understanding Oneself and Others;4-8
Description:
"When a child loses the person in his life that he loves more than anything, he uses his cape as protection from his grief. On the day of the funeral, he uses it to block out the pictures and stories people share, refusing to acknowledge the memories that keep bubbling up. He won't think about them. He doesn't want to. He avoids the memories, until he no longer can. He remembers then. Their laugh, their smile, the moment they gave him the cape. The...
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 Elf dog & owl head.
Notes:
Fiction for Children;8-11
Description:
Quarantined with his family as a global plague ravages the world, Clay retreats to the woods where he meets a special little dog who leads him on surreal adventures where choosing the wrong path could cause them both to lose their way forever.
Book cover for Evergreen.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
To deliver her mother's delicious soup to her sick Granny Oak, Evergreen the squirrel must face her fears and make the journey, during which she meets other forest dwellers, including some who want to get their hands on her soup!
Book cover for The eyes & the impossible.
Author:
Notes:
Fiction for Children;8-11
Description:
"Johannes, a free dog, lives in a park hemmed in on three sides by dense human neighborhoods, and on one side by the ocean. His job is to be the Eyes--to see everything that happens within the park and report to the park's elders, three ancient bison whoensure the Equilibrium. His friends--a stalwart seagull, a mordant raccoon, a one-eyed squirrel, and a pelican who can read--work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals...
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 Henry, like always.
Notes:
Books for Beginning Readers;4-8
Description:
"Henry, a first grader on the autism spectrum, attempts to navigate friendships, and sudden changes in classroom routines--like a parade on Friday instead of share time."--
Book cover for The hospital book.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-7
Description:
A young girl with appendicitis recounts her strange and scary trip to the hospital, and the nine times she cried--and a few times when she did not.
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 If I was a horse.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
"If you were a horse, what would you do? Could you fit in your clothes? Would you give your little sister a ride? Would your brother even notice? Gallop along with two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall through this riotous day in the life of a child who imagines their life as a horse. What ensues are uproarious, resonant episodes that feature a giant horse in familiar settings offering both a visual feast, a grand dose of joy, and a celebration...
Book cover for The night before Eid.
Author:
Notes:
Seasons and Celebrations;4-8
Description:
"Three generations of Egyptian Americans share special memories and a precious recipe in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, the feast that marks the end of Ramadan." --
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...
Book cover for Reina Ramos meets a big puppy.
Series:
Notes:
Books for Beginning Readers;4-7
Description:
"Reina and her friend, Lila, practice gymnastics on Saturdays. It’s Reina’s favorite part of the week. But when Lila gets a puppy, Reina has to practice gymnastics by herself. Also, Lila’s dog is HUGE and Reina is afraid to admit to her friend that she is scared. What can Reina do?" --
Book cover for Remembering.
Notes:
Seasons and Celebrations;5-10
Description:
"On Día de los Muertos, a family prepares an ofrenda for their favorite furry family member, remembering all the ways that their beloved pet brought love and comfort to their lives"--
Book cover for Rock your mocs.
Notes:
Contemporary People, Places, and Issues;3-7
Description:
"In this happy, vibrant tribute to Rock Your Mocs Day, observed yearly on November 15, author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian) and artist Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw) celebrate the joy and power of wearing moccasins--and the Native pride that comes with them. A perfect book for Native American Heritage Month, and all year round!" --publisher's website.
Book cover for The skull.
Author:
Notes:
Fiction for Children;6-9
Description:
"In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both?"--
Book cover for Summer is for cousins.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
Ravi spends summer vacation with his cousins sharing in all their favorite activities, including eating ice cream.
Book cover for To the ice.
Notes:
Fiction for Children;7-10
Description:
Three children go on a polar expedition in this thrilling adventure for newly independent readers-an epic story that blurs realism and imagination, illustrated in color throughout. An epic story set in a polar wilderness that blurs realism and imagination-fully illustrated for newly independent readers. Ida, Max and Jack go to the creek one winter's day. They play on an ice floe then find themselves floating away-all the way to the polar ice, with...