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 75  There are a total of 151 valid entries on the list.
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"--

2. 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 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...

4. 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 Do you remember?.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-8
Description:
A mother and son trade reassuring memories during a time of change and upheaval.
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 The fastest tortoise in town.
Notes:
Picture Books;4-7
Description:
Barbara Hendricks, a tortoise, has entered a road race, but what was she thinking? With only a week to go before the big day, she worries that she doesn't stand a chance against the other animals competing. Barbara's friend and owner, Lorraine, inspires her to train a little bit more each day and coaxes her out of her shell when the race day arrives. How intimidating to line up next to the slow loris, the snail, the sloth, and the walrus! But Barbara...
Book cover for Flying up the mountain.
Notes:
Fiction for Children;8-11
Description:
Ato and his friends Dzifa and Leslie have been selected to visit Nnoma, the bird sanctuary that Ato's father helped build before he died. Ato is convinced that his father hid something valuable on the island, meant only for him. When the trio arrives at Nnoma with other children from across West Africa, they are split into teams and given missions to help broaden their knowledge of nature. The winners will become Asafo-ambassadors of Nnoma and defenders...
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 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 Friends beyond measure.
Notes:
Picture Books;5-9
Description:
"Ana and Harwin's friendship has been off the charts since day one! But when Harwin learns her family is going to move far away, the duo isn't sure how their friendship can survive the move. See how their friend-o-meters calibrate in this imaginative, heartwarming story by beloved picture book creator and infographic designer Lalena Fisher. An ideal read-aloud for classrooms, libraries, and homeschooling, this book includes backmatter that explains...
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 Ginny off the map.
Notes:
Fiction for Children;8-12
Description:
On the last day of fifth grade, super-smart eleven-year-old Ginny learns that her father, who is a military ER doctor, is being deployed to Afghanistan--devastating news because they are already moving to another post in Maryland and Ginny depends on her father to help her manage her obsessions, panic attacks, and general meltdowns. One of her obsessions is geographical facts, and somehow Ginny hopes to use her geographical knowledge to overcome her...
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 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 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.