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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Looking Up written and illustrated by Stephan Pastis is a fun yet serious chapter book about loss. The main character is a young girl by the name of Saint who refuses to watch the community where she lives disappear. She must also, however, deal with a personal loss. The delightful characters such as grumpy old Muffins perfectly accent the story. (Aladdin/Simon and Schuster) 2023. -
A Walk In The Woods written by Nikki Grimes with original drawings by the late Jerry Pinkney and with watercolor paintings by his son Brian Pinkney is a very special book about how a boy finds out about the love his late father had for him. The story, designed for 5-8 year old readers, is well told in beautiful poetic form and breathtaking illustrations (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House. -
Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum is the third easy reader for children 6-10 years of age written and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell about these two friends----and, like the first two, it is terrific in story and pictures. In this story Poppy learns something new about her family history when she agrees to go to the local museum for an event with Cornbread--- who is a museum supporter. (Little, Brown and Company) 2023. -
Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion---A True Story is written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Júlia Sardà. It is a wonderful romp of a tale with clever situations and wonderful illustrations. This delightful picture book, designed for readers 4-8 years of age and up, is about how the mansion that silver mine owner Henry Miller had constructed for his wife Annie had to be physically moved! Pigs play a messy but fun-loving role in it all! (Candlewick Press), 2023. -
If I Was a Horse written and illustrated by two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackhall is a clever and fun-filled book about a little girl who uses a horse to state various questions and situations important to her such as when to eat, when to take a bath and when to go to bed! The illustrations are full of color, movement, and great details. This is another fine picture book from Sophie Blackhall for children 4-8 years of age (Little, Brown and Company) 2023. -
Brand New Bubbe written by Sarah Aronson and illustrated by Ariel Landy is a darling story about how a little girl ends up with three grandmothers! Their time in the kitchen turns out to be loving and tasty. Young children 4-8 years of age will love the back materials where the wonderful recipes for soup used by each of the grandmothers are available. (Charlesbridge) 2022. -
There Was A Party For Langston written by Newberry Award Honoree Jason Reynolds and illustrated by brothers Jerome and Jarett Pumphrey is a grand salute to the work of Langston Hughes. This “king of letters” influenced many writers such as James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni, and Tony Morrison. The story is beautifully told for readers 4-8 years of age and up. The illustrations are both unique and terrific! (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book/ Atheneum Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster) 2023. -
The Story of Barbie and the Woman who Created Her written by Cindy Eagan and illustrated by Amy June Bates is for 4-8- year-old readers and up about how Ruth Handler developed the Barbie doll after she saw her daughter playing with paper cut out dolls as if they were grown up dolls. Barbie was officially born when Ruth showed her grown up dolls at the International Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. Barbie had fashionable clothes and soon had workplace items that would allow girls to play with dolls that had careers. The Barbie Flight Attendant, Nurse, Astronaut and so many more walk beautifully across the pages of this book. (Random House) 2017. -
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
