The Children’s Bookshelf from WCMU Public Radio showcases new children’s book titles meant to engage young readers in the joy of story found in both the written word and illustrations. The target audience includes teachers, librarians, parents and grandparents as part of their role to foster the love of reading. Each of the two minute reviews have accompanying study questions and activities and are available as podcasts.
The series host and reviewer is Dr. Sue Ann Martin, Professor Emerita of Communication and Dramatic Arts in the College of Communication and Fine Arts, at Central Michigan University.
Our theme music for The Children’s Bookshelf is the polka from Denes Agay’s “Five Easy Dances”, performed by the Powers Woodwind Quintet, in residence at Central Michigan University’s School of Music. It is taken from the album GEMS, on the White Pine label.
The Children's Bookshelf only accepts for possible review titles that are sent from the children's book divisions of national publishers.
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The Little Book of JOY written by two spiritual masters His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams and Rachel Neumann and illustrated by Rafael López is a beautifully put forth picture book about what the feeling of joy is and where and how joy can be found in daily life. -
The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess cleverly written and illustrated by Tom Gauld is a grand fairytale for children 4-8 years of age. -
Chester Van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme by Avery Monsen and illustrated by Abby Hanlon is an ear tickling tale about a boy who has lost his ability to rhyme words---even when that rhyming word is on the tip of everyone else’s tongue. -
BOO! HISS! by the talented Cyndi Marko is a perfect chapter book about togetherness for readers 6-9 years old who are beginning to enjoy the colorful and creative aspects of the graphic novel. -
POWWOW DAY is written by Traci Sorell, a member of the Cherokee Nation and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Children 5-8 years of age will enjoy learning all this book has to offer. -
Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion----A True Story written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Júlia Sardà is a romp full of fun as the title’s alliteration forecasts. It all revolves around silver mining in, as the author seems to feel, the great state of Idaho! -
The Winnie-the-Pooh Collection by A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard is a beautifully arranged box set of four books----Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner as well as two books of poetry namely, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. Mothers, Fathers and Librarians will find this box set extraordinary. -
I Will Read To You written by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charles Santoso shows the little boy’s absolute determination to include all creatures in the lovely tradition of bedtime stories. This book is designed for readers 4-8 years of age (Little, Brown and Company) 2023. -
Some Days Are Yellow written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Michelle Lee is a wonderfully designed picture book for children 3-7 years of age and up, about the fact that some days can be easy-breezy whereas others can be tricky-icky. But, we learn from them all. (Sleeping Bear Press/ an imprint of Cherry Lake Publishing 2024.) -
A Walk in the Woods written by Nikki Grimes with original drawings by Jerry Pinkney and watercolor paintings by Brian Pinkney is a very important book for readers 5-8 years of age who are dealing with loss and the future. (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House) 2023.
