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 20  There are a total of 151 valid entries on the list.
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 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 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 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 The many assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams.
Notes:
Fiction for Children;8-11
Description:
This is the tale of an exciting journey along the Silk Road with a young orphan Monk and his newfound guardian, Samir, a larger than life character and the so-called "Seller of Dreams." The man is a scammer; his biggest skill being the ability to talk his way into getting what he wants. While that talking did save Monkey's life, it has left a lot of people furious with Samir--furious enough to hire assassins. These include a Viking berserker, a Rogue...
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 Nothing ever happens on a gray day.
Notes:
Picture Books;5-8
Description:
A girl thinks that nothing happens in her neighborhood on a gray day--until she ventures into the woods, and discovers the colors and busy animals of autumn.
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...
Book cover for The secret pocket.
Notes:
Picture Books;6-9
Description:
Mary was four years old when she was first taken away to the Lejac Indian Residential School. It was far away from her home and family. Always hungry and cold, there was little comfort for young Mary. Speaking Dakelh was forbidden and the nuns and priest were always watching, ready to punish. Mary and the other girls had a genius idea: drawing on the knowledge from their mothers, aunts and grandmothers who were all master sewers, the girls would sew...
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...
Book cover for Tomfoolery!.
Notes:
The Arts;6-10
Description:
"Meet Randolph Caldecott, the artist who revolutionized picture book illustration and for whom the prestigious Caldecott medal is named!" --
Book cover for ¡Vamos! Let's go read.
Notes:
Picture Books;5-9
Description:
"Little Lobo and his friends are excited for the out-of-this-world book festival that the Guadalupian Library hosts every year! Everyone has a special book they're looking for, but there's so much to see and do first"--
Book cover for The walk.
Notes:
Contemporary People, Places, and Issues;5-9
Description:
As a little girl accompanies her grandma on a walk to the polling station, members of their community join and the grandmother explains the importance of their journey.
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 Who Jumps More?.
Author:
Notes:
Concept Books;3-5
Description:
Caldecott Honor winner Grace Lin celebrates math for every kid, everywhere! Olivia and Mei jump in the snow all the way to the tall tree. Mei takes a few big leaps like a deer. Olivia makes lots of smaller hops like a bunny. Each jumps "more" in a different way. A playful exploration of measurement, proportion, and friendship. Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around...
Book cover for You gotta meet Mr. Pierce!.
Notes:
The Arts;7-11
Description:
"A picture book biography about the barber shop of woodcarver Elijah Pierce, recipient of the highest folk art honor in the United States." --