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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Finch House written by Ciera Burch is an interesting and well-told ghost story for readers 9-12 years of age. The plot takes Micah into an old Victorian house that her Poppop has told her to never go near. She does not obey his off-limits rule. She and the new boy, whose family has just moved into Finch House, find stairs in the walls with secret doors, a heavy darkness and sounds that suggest people could be there! (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon and Schuster) 2023. -
Ten Dogs is a delightful counting book written and illustrated by Emily for children 3-5 years of age. The story hosts 10 dogs all wanting to eat the tasty sausages that are on the kitchen table. Some dogs are larger and taller than others and that makes all the difference to the dogs in this counting- romp! (Boxer Books/ Sterling Publishing) 2023 -
I Will Read To You written by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charles Santoso is a touching picture book about the beauty of storytelling at bedtime. The little boy in this picture book wants everyone including the animals of the night to be given the opportunity to hear a bedtime story. With the okay of his mother, he calls ghosts, vampires, dragons, giants, and witches to come to him for a bedtime story. The illustrations are a delight. (Little, Brown and Company) 2023. -
The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess written and illustrated with clever details and super- illustrations by Tom Gauld is about a King and Queen who want a child. The King asks for help from the royal builder who builds the King a perfect wooden robot and the Queen gets help from a clever witch who builds a little log princess. The King and Queen are very happy with their expanded royal family. However, this story has a complication-----as most fairytales do. Whenever the log princess falls asleep, she turns back into a log and cannot wake up until someone says, “Awake Little Log, Awake.” This picture book will delight readers 4-8 years of age(Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2021). -
In the Night Garden written and illustrated by Carin Berger is a fascinating night trip by a cat through a beautiful garden filled with butterflies, crickets, a hoot owl, baby foxes and flowers filled with interesting paper collage materials such as musical notes, tickets and bank statements. From the first page, where the cat walks across the roof of the house, the young reader will be charmed by gorgeous shades of incredible blue. This picture book is designed for young children 3-6 years of age (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House) 2023. -
In the Night Garden written and illustrated by Carin Berger is a fascinating night trip by a cat through a beautiful garden filled with butterflies, crickets, a hoot owl, baby foxes and flowers filled with interesting paper collage materials such as musical notes, tickets and bank statements. From the first page, where the cat walks across the roof of the house, the young reader will be charmed by gorgeous shades of incredible blue. This picture book is designed for young children 3-6 years of age (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House) 2023.
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Sometimes It’s Nice to Be Alone written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Philip Stead is about a young girl who understands the beauty of doing things alone as well as with friends. Philip Stead’s illustrations are full of touching details and lush colors. This thoughtfully written book is designed for readers 4-8 years of age( Neal Porter Books, Holiday House) 2023. -
My Head Has A Bellyache and More Nonsense written by Chris Harris and illustrated by Andera Tsurumi is a fun-filled collection of poems and pictures that children 6 and up will thoroughly enjoy. The situations are funny and thought-provoking as the book takes on friendships, meteors, favorite words, siblings, and sausages! (Little, Brown and Company) 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. -
I AM MADE OF MOUNTAINS written by Alexandra Hinrichs and illustrated by Vivian Mineker is an unusual picture book for readers 4-8 years of age about our beautiful National Parks. The stories are told through a series of odes and stunning pictures. There are very interesting commentaries from children who have visited some of these great Parks (Charlesbridge) 2023.
