The Children's Bookshelf

Series produced by WCMU Michigan

Series image

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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The Color Collector written by Nicholas Solis and illustrated by Renia Metallinou is a touching story about friendship and the act of welcoming. Vi...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Aug 12, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 1
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What’s in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures written by Heather Montgomery and illustrated by Maribel Lechuga is a fascinating picture book...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Aug 18, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 1
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The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s Tomb by Candace Fleming is an extremely well researched and written story for readers 9-12 years o...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Aug 25, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma is a celebration of the cellist’s music and his ability to bring people and cultures together. This pict...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Sep 01, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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The Leather Apron Club: Benjamin Franklin, His Son Billy and America’s First Circulating Library is a delightfully told story by Jane Yolen with be...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Sep 08, 2021
  • Length: 02:02
  • Purchases: 2
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Delicious! Poems Celebrating Street Food Around the World written by Julie Larios and illustrated by Julie Paschkis is a tasty treat celebrating th...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Sep 15, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Thankful written by Elaine Vickers and illustrated by Samantha Cotterill is a special book about a young schoolgirl who puts together a paper chai...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Sep 22, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Hardly Haunted written and illustrated by Jessie Sima is a fun-filled picture book about an old empty house who is lonely. After an experience with...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Sep 29, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Paradise on Fire written by Jewel Parker Rhodes and illustrated by Serena Malyon is an interesting and exciting book about a group of Black teenage...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif. and KRPS


  • Added: Oct 06, 2021
  • Length: 02:02
  • Purchases: 2
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A House is written and illustrated by Caldecott winner Kevin Henkes. It is an outstanding tale about what makes a house a home. The visuals, render...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Oct 14, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem written by Amanda Gorman and illustrated by Loren Long is a beautiful picture book in both thoughts and illustrat...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Oct 20, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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I am Oprah Winfrey well researched and excellently written by Brad Meltzer and delightfully illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos is the newest add...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Nov 01, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Our Table written by Peter H. Reynolds is a clever and extremely wise picture book about how we must all be alert to the habits that can destroy su...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Nov 04, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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This is the Children’s Bookshelf Holiday Edition. All titles discussed have been published in the last two years and are put forth as ideal for hol...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif. and KRPS


  • Added: Nov 17, 2021
  • Length: 02:02
  • Purchases: 2
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Trees written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Tiffany Bozic is an unusually gorgeous picture book about the beauty of and the necessity for tr...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., KRPS, and KICI Iowa City


  • Added: Nov 18, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 3
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The Little Owl and the Big Tree: A Christmas Story is beautifully told by author Jonah Winter and charmingly illustrated by Jeanette Winter. This t...

Bought by KSTK, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., KRPS, and WETF


  • Added: Nov 24, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 4
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It Fell from The Sky written and illustrated by the highly praised Fan Brothers is an entertaining picture book about a curious “wonder” that appea...

Bought by KRPS and KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Dec 01, 2021
  • Length: 02:00
  • Purchases: 2
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Amos McGee Misses the Bus written by Philip Stead and illustrated by Erin Stead is a lovely continuation of their Caldecott Medal picture book A Si...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif.


  • Added: Dec 08, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 1
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Have You Seen Gordon? written by Adam Jay Epstein and illustrated by Ruth Chan is a hide and seek picture book full of wonderful animals as they go...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif. and KRPS


  • Added: Dec 15, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2
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I Am An American: The Wong Kim Ark Story written by Martha Brockenbrough with Grace Lin and illustrated by Julia Kuo is the true story of Wong Kim ...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif. and KRPS


  • Added: Dec 28, 2021
  • Length: 02:01
  • Purchases: 2