CCBC picks top children’s books

More than 4,500 new children’s books were published last year, and more than 150,000 are currently available from publishers for purchase. For librarians, teachers, and other professionals trying to identify quality children’s books, the choices can be overwhelming.

To help, the professional staff of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center has just released “CCBC Choices 2000,” which provides annotated entries on 223 of the best books for children and young adults published in 1999.

Entries describe picture books, novels, biographies, poetry, concept books, books for babies, and folklore. Topics range from books about the natural world to contemporary people, historical people and events, and seasons and celebrations. A final section includes recommendations for new editions of old favorites.

“CCBC Choices 2000” also provides observations about book publishing for young people, background material about authors and information about CCBC’s Charlotte Zolotow Award for outstanding writing in picture books.

Wisconsin residents may get a copy by sending a request with check for $3.20 payable to Friends of the CCBC, Inc., P.O. Box 5288, Madison, WI 53705. Out-of-state residents should send $6 to the same address. Alumni of the UW–Madison School of Education may obtain a complimentary copy by calling (608) 265-7875 or by sending e-mail to jholt@education.wisc.edu

Compiled by Kathleen T. Horning, Ginny Moore Kruse and Megan Schliesman, “CCBC Choices 2000” was published by the Friends of the CCBC, Inc. CCBC is a non-circulating library for adults with an academic, professional or career interest in contemporary or historical children’s or young adult literature. The CCBC is a library of the School of Education. For more information, visit: http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/.