The Children's Bookshelf
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.
Latest Episodes
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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. -
Ten Little Rabbits written and illustrated by the late but never forgotten Maurice Sendak brings his wonderful talent to a new group of children. This counting book is designed for children 4-8 years of age and tells the story of Mino, a magician, who pulls rabbits out of his hat. However, the colorful rabbits do things their way. This book is a gift to a new generation of children, parents, and grandparents (HarperCollins Children’s Books) 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.
