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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Summer’s Call: A Michigan Day written with lyrical beauty by Amber Lynn Hellewell and illustrated with sweet details wrapped in soft colors by Gretchen Ellen Powers is a gentle picture book about the essence of the movement from Spring into Summer in Michigan -
Swallows Swirl written with ease and fun by Christina Wilsdon and illustrated with gorgeous movement by Jess Mason is a wonderful picture book for 4–8-year-olds. -
I Am Made of Mountains written by Alexandra Heinrichs and illustrated by Vivian Mineker is an interesting book for children 4-8 years of age about the country’s National Parks---- their beauty, history, and differences. (Charlesbridge) 2023. -
A Natural History of Fairies is compiled beautiful by Emily Hawkins and illustrated with great beauty by Jessica Roux for readers 6-10 years of age. The big question is do fairies exist or not! This 10 by 12 - inch book is gorgeous and full of fun! -
PALACE OF BOOKS written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco is a true story that Polacco lived when she was a child in Battle Creek Michigan. She was introduced to the work of John James Audubon by the Willard Library librarian Mrs. Creavy. This enabled Polacco to develop her visual artistic skills while struggling with dyslexia. The book is beautifully illustrated with all colors of birds front and center. This picture book is for readers 5-8 years of age. -
The Dream Catcher is a beautiful story about a boy and his grandfather written and illustrated for children 4-8 years of age by Marcelo Verdad. -
Mother Goose Treasury ----A Timeless Collection of Favorite Nursery Rhymes, illustrated with great care and fun by Priscilla Lamont, is perfect for babies to 3 years of age. There are 187 poems beautifully featured. (Cottage Door Press) 2018 and again in 2022. -
Finding Things is written with wonderful incite about children 4-8 years of age by Keven Henkes. It is beautifully illustrated by Laura Dronzek as a little boy goes about finding things that no one else notices! The story is full of fun and the pictures are rich and lovely. (Greenwillow Books/ Harper Collins) 2024. -
UP HIGH written and illustrated by Matt Hunt is a delightfully told story about the love between a father and son. Their walk through the very crowded city to a nearby park causes the little boy to ask his father to put him “up high” on his shoulders. From that vantage point the little boy sees interesting and beautiful things. Their luncheon on their favorite park bench is perfect for children 4-8 years of age (Nosy Crow) 2024. -
What’s Inside a Flower? And Other Questions about Science and Nature written and illustrated by the versatile Rachel Ignotofsky is a very interesting journey through the life of flowers whether they’re growing in cities, jungles, swamps, deserts or on mountain tops. (Crown Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House (2021).
