The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) annually recognizes a list of the best books for children.  Here is their definition of notable: “As applied to children’s books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children’s interests in exemplary ways.”

The list is a lengthy one, so I’ll break it up by ages.  Here is the list for Younger Readers:

   

All the Water in the World. By George Ella Lyon, Illus. by Katherine Tillotson

A Ball for Daisy. By Chris Raschka

Blackout. By John Rocco

Bring on the Birds. By Susan Stockdale

  

The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred. By Samantha R. Vamos, Illus. by Rafael López

Chirchir Is Singing. By Kelly Cunnane, Illus. by Jude Daly

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? By Susan A. Shea, Illus. by Tom Slaughter

  

Dot. By Patricia Intriago

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. By Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illus. by Tom Lichtenheld

Grandpa Green. By Lane Smith

  

Harry and Hopper. By Margaret Wild, Illus. by Freya Blackwood

I Broke My Trunk. By Mo Willems

I Want My Hat Back. By Jon Klassen

  

King Jack and the Dragon. By Peter Bently, Illus. by Helen Oxenbury

Little Treasures : Endearments from around the World. By Jacqueline K. Ogburn. Illus. by Christopher Raschka

Me…Jane. By Patrick McDonnell

  

Mouse & Lion. By Rand Burkert, Illus. by Nancy Ekholm Burkert

Naamah and the Ark at Night. By Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Illus. by Holly Meade

A New Year’s Reunion: A Chinese Story. By Li Qiong Yu, Illus. by Zhu Chen Liang

  

Over and Under the Snow. By Kate Messner, Illus. by Christopher Silas Neal

Prudence Wants a Pet. By Cathleen Daly, Illus. by Stephen Michael King

See Me Run By Paul Meisel

   

Should I Share My Ice Cream? By Mo Willems

Stars. By Mary Lyn Ray, Illus. by Marla Frazee

Tales for Very Picky Eaters By Josh Schneider

  

Tell Me the Day Backwards. By Albert Lamb, Illus. by David McPhail

Ten Little Caterpillars. By Bill Martin, Illus. by Lois Ehlert

These Hands. By Margaret H. Mason, Illus. by Floyd Cooper

  

Tìa Isa Wants a Car. By Meg Medina, Illus. by Claudio Muñoz

Where’s Walrus? By Stephen Savage

Who Has What? : All about Girls’ Bodies and Boys’ Bodies. By Robie H. Harris, Illus. by Nadine Bernard Westcott