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 - 18 of 18  There are a total of 151 valid entries on the list.
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 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 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.

5. 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 My dad is a DJ.
Notes:
Picture Books;6-10
Description:
"Trevor's dad is a DJ, and he always picks the best music--But after his parents split up and Dad moves out, Trevor feels like the pitch doesn't fit between them. Trevor has his own music now--hip-hop--and Dad can't seem to let go of his old soul favorites. As the end-of-year dance approaches, Trevor and his father will have to find their new groove to get the party started."--
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 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 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 Snow day.
Notes:
Books for Newly Independent Readers;6-9
Description:
"Jo Jo Makoons has noticed that the family members she loves most—Mama, Kokum, and even her cat, Mimi—all have their own ways of being healthy. So when Teacher says that their class will be learning about healthy habits, Jo Jo is ready to be neighborly by helping everyone around her be healthy too. After a snowstorm shuts down her Ojibwe reservation, Jo Jo uses her big imagination and big personality to help both Elders and classmates alike. Because...
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 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.
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 A walk in the woods.
Notes:
Picture Books;6-10
Description:
"A grieving son follows a treasure map his late father left him through the woods they used to explore together."--
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 You go first.
Notes:
Picture Books;3-6
Description:
Cat and Duck are very good friends and play together all the time, so when the new slide gets built, they can’t wait to try it out! Only, the slide is very big and curvy—what if it’s too big for Cat? As Cat and Duck move closer to the front of the line, Cat imagines everything that could go wrong until his worries start to rub off on Duck. Now Duck doesn’t want to go down the slide either. Cat feels bad that Duck is missing out on the fun...