The Children's Bookshelf

Series produced by WCMU Michigan

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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, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

The Children’s Bookshelf is a syndicated series from WCMU Public Radio available to public radio stations across the country. It features reviews of current children’s books, offering age-appropriate recommendations with each book title. The Children’s Bookshelf is designed to engage young readers in the joy of story found both in the written word and illustrations. The program will be of interest to teachers and librarians, as well as parents and grandparents hoping to foster the love of reading in young children. Each of the reviews have accompanying study questions and activities and will be also offered as podcasts. One two minute segment will be available each week, all inclusive, ready for air. There is no charge for syndication rights.
Series host and reviewer is noted educator, Dr. Sue Ann Martin, Professor Emerita of Communication and Dramatic Arts and the past and founding Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Her background in children’s literature includes a Ph. D thesis on the oral characteristics of the Caldecott Award-winning children’s books.
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.

Contact: Susan McTaggart-Dennis, producer
WCMU Public Media
mctag1sm@cmich.edu
989 774-3105
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The Children’s Bookshelf is a syndicated series from WCMU Public Radio available to public radio stations across the country. It features reviews of current children’s books, offering age-appropriate recommendations with each book title. The Children’s Bookshelf is designed to engage young readers in the joy of story found both in the written word and illustrations. The program will be of interest to teachers and librarians, as well as parents and grandparents hoping to foster the love of reading in young children. Each of the reviews have accompanying study questions and activities and will be also offered as podcasts. One two minute segment will be available each week, all inclusive, ready for air. There is no charge for syndication rights.Series host and reviewer is noted... Show full description


277 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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What You Need to Be Warm is written by the highly- praised author Neil Gaiman who is also a Goodwell Ambassador for UNHCR. The poem makes a strong ...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Nov 08, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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Little Red written and wonderfully illustrated by Will Hillenbrand is a beautiful picture book about kindness. Little Red is a small pick-up truck ...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Nov 01, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Kin: Rooted In Hope written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford is a striking account of their family’s past...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Oct 26, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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Zilot and Other Important Rhymes written by Bob Odenkirk and illustrated by Erin Odenkirk is a clever and very creative book of over 70 delightful ...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Oct 19, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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A Crown for Corina written by Laekan Zea Kemp and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri is a beautiful story about how Corina’s Abuela guides her through h...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Oct 12, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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Banana Dream written by Hasan Namir and illustrated by Daby Zainab Faidhi is a well put forth story about a boy named Moos. His name means “banana”...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Oct 05, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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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 o...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Sep 27, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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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 Pinkne...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Sep 21, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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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 Co...

Bought by WCNY and KRPS


  • Added: Sep 14, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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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...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., KRPS, and WCNY


  • Added: Sep 07, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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PRX for 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 gir...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., KRPS, and WCNY


  • Added: Aug 31, 2023
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 3
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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!...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., KRPS, and WCNY


  • Added: Aug 24, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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There Was A Party For Langston written by Newberry Award Honoree Jason Reynolds and illustrated by brothers Jerome and Jarett Pumphrey is a grand s...

Bought by KRPS, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., and WCNY


  • Added: Aug 24, 2023
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 3
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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 abo...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., KRPS, and WCNY


  • Added: Aug 16, 2023
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 3
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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 Vict...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Aug 09, 2023
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 2
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Ten Dogs is a delightful counting book written and illustrated by Emily Gravett for children 3-5 years of age. The story hosts 10 dogs all wantin...

Bought by WCNY, KRPS, and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Aug 02, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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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 bedti...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Jul 27, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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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 ...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Jul 19, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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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...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Jul 13, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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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 b...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif. and KRPS


  • Added: Jun 29, 2023
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2