Sue Ann Martin
Host, The Children's BookshelfSue Ann Martin is professor emerita of Communication and Dramatic Arts and the founding and past Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She first became interested in children’s literature when she wrote her PhD thesis on the oral characteristics of the Caldecott Award-winning children’s books. Her PhD is in Speech and Interpretation with a cognate in Early Childhood Education. She went on to review children’s books for the Detroit Free Press, write three popular resource books for teachers regarding children’s books and the creative process. She also reviewed newly-published books for Arts Almanac specials on WCMU Public Radio. Her 2002 children’s books special for WCMU won a Merit Award in Special Interest Programming from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
“Reading books aloud to young children,” Martin says, “is one of the most satisfying ways to introduce them to the beautiful sounds and lilts of the language, to the wonders of the world, to the excitement of suspense and to the pleasure of concentration, while at the same time, bonding with the child in a genuine, long lasting way. My mother did the same for me as she read hours and hours of Robert Louis Stevenson poems.”
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KIN: Rooted in Hope written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford is a striking account of their family’s past. The interesting research, brave stories and skillful scratchboard illustrations are perfect for older readers 10 years of age and up. (Atheneum Books/ Simon and Schuster) 2023. -
I Lived Inside a Whale written and illustrated with great insight, understanding and imagination by Xin Li is a beautiful picture book for readers 4-8 years of age. The little girl in this story learns a great deal about reading, sharing, and trying something new such as sharing stories out loud! (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) 2024. -
Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis is written with great skill by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated beautifully by James E. Ransome. This book, designed for children 4-8 years of age, follows John Lewis from his childhood helping his parents pick cotton in Alabama to his meeting with others who were working for Civil Rights. The book beautifully tells the development of John Lewis and his idea that change could only come with love. (Paula Wiseman Books/ Simon and Schuster) 2024. -
The Official Harry Potter Cookbook: 40 + Recipes inspired by the films is a tasty book by author Joanna Farrow for children ten years of age and up. Great recipes such as Dumbledore’s Mystical Lemon Drop Pudding plus useful charts regarding Kitchen Safety, Essential Tools and even how to boil an egg are sprinkled across the colorful 127 pages. (Scholastic) 2023. -
The Girl Who Heard the Music written by Marni Fogelson with Mahani Teave and illustrated by Marta Alverez Miguens is three stories in one---all brilliantly connected. A young pianist by the name of Mahani who lives on Rapa Nui becomes a world-famous pianist. She organizes others on the island to build a new Music School by using trash, plastic bottles, and old tires to make the walls of the school. At the same time the mystery of the Moai statues that cover the island are discussed. (Sourcebooks Kids) 2023. -
Some Days Are Yellow written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Michelle Lee is a fine concept book regarding the fact that we all experience good days as well as bad days. The rhyming text and the beautiful illustrations make this picture book ideal for children 3-7 years of age and up! (Sleeping Bear Press) 2024. -
Keyana Loves Her Friend written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow is a delightful story about friendship and what can happen when one friend moves away. This picture book is designed for children 4-8 years of age and is full a preparation, problems and finally the restoration of the friendship. (Little, Brown and Company) 2023. -
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? is written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen. It is a cute and very clever look at how Santa does, and in some cases does not, go down the chimney to deliver his gifts. This picture book is full of fun for 4–8-year-old readers and most probably the whole family (Candlewick) 2023. -
The Snow Man: A True Story written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Jeanette Winter takes place near the bottom of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. A man named billy barr lives there in an abandoned shack with dirt floors, no heat, and no water. To break the monotony of his day he decided to measure the snowfall each day. His daily records over many years eventually proved that climate change was absolutely happening. The real story and the illustrations of this picture book will fascinate children 4-8 years of age as well as moms, dads, and teachers. -
Glitter Everywhere is a well-researched and written book by Chris Barton and a beautifully illustrated book by Chaaya Prabhat about the very interesting history of glitter. It is a fascinating book for readers 5-9 years of age. (Charlesbridge) 2023.
