Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh, Susan Meddaugh (Illustrator)

From Barnes & Noble

Martha is just an ordinary dog until the day she eats a bowl of alphabet soup. Something goes haywire, and the letters, instead of going to her stomach, head straight for her brain. The result? Martha speaks! She ends up yakking so much, that her family, initally proud of their talented pet, grows fed up and tells her to SHUT UP! Martha is so wounded that she refuses to eat more soup, no matter how much the family coaxes.

From the Publisher

When Helen Finney feeds alphabet soup to her dog Martha, Martha begins to speak. But having a talking dog is not as fun as it seems.

Publishers Weekly

With the arrival of Martha, Lassie had best look to her canine laurels. This scintillating story weighs the pros and cons of owning a loquacious pet. Thanks to the apparently magical properties of alphabet soup, unassuming mutt Martha is transformed into the Mr. Ed of the canine world. Unfortunately, the novelty for her human family wears off in a hurry: Martha blabs non-stop and commits numerous gaffes--telling one visitor, ``Mom said that fruitcake you sent wasn't fit for a dog. But I thought it was delicious.'' Meddaugh's ( The Witches' Supermarket ; Tree of Birds ) quirky take on the anthropomorphic pooch proves uproarious. Droll illustrations capture Martha's guileless expressions, her joy at the mastery of speech and her hurt feelings after she's commanded to pipe down. The book may be difficult to read aloud because Martha's not-to-be-missed comments, separate from the main narrative, interrupt the tale's flow. Still, anyone who's ever wondered what their pets are thinking will enjoy this imaginative book, its tactless but lovable main character and its triumphant ending. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

"Bright with watercolor washes, the cartoon-like ink drawings ensure that book's immediate appeal... A hysterical tail - er, tale."

Children's Literature

Those who fell in love with Susan Meddaugh's Martha, the talking hound in Martha Speaks will welcome the sequel, Martha Calling with open hearts. Talented Martha, who catches a Frisbee and talks with the same amount of ease, wins a phone contest that earns her family a wonderful weekend at a resort that doesn't allow dogs. Meddaugh's spirited writing is infectious, even her characters respond with playful good-humor and creatively handle the silly situations that arise. Hidden within this hilarious tale are messages about prejudice and family love so strong that it changes rules.

Children's Literature

The day Martha the dog eats alphabet soup is a day that her human family soon regrets. The letters from the soup travel to Martha's brain, instead of her stomach, enabling her to talk. This amusing premise sets up a delightful tale of a talking dog and her weary owners. After the novelty wears off, the family's patience is sorely tried as Martha talks incessantly through their favorite television shows, orders pizza without permission, and blurts out the truth at the most awkward moments. A lesson in tactfulness and manners is cleverly hidden in the silliness of the text. It isn't until Martha calls the police and thwarts a burglary attempt that she is lauded for being the truly amazing dog that she is. The cartoon-like bubbles containing Martha's dialogue (in itself very funny) and likeable watercolor drawings make this a winner. The text is witty and wry, in keeping with the book's content. New York Times Best Illustrated Book and an ALA Notable Book for Children.

Children's Literature

In this sequel to Martha Speaks, Martha, the talking dog, enters contests and wins a weekend for 4 at the Come-On-Inn. Big Problem! No Dogs Allowed! Disguised as 'grandma,' confined to a wheelchair, Martha orders room service. Chicken and steak bones soon litter the room. The maid, seeing the bones, suspects that the sleeping dog has eaten 'grandma.' A hilarious ending with Martha having the last word!

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-- Martha, a mutt, begins to speak after her young owner slips her a bowl of alphabet soup. She speaks, and speaks, and speaks, until Helen tells her, ``Sometimes I wish you had never learned to talk.'' Martha is devastated, and her withdrawal is alleviated only when she has the opportunity to save her family from a robbery. The pranks in between, including accepting pizza deliveries and phoning for a huge order of barbecue, add to the loopy, incongruous humor. Casual ink-line-and-watercolor cartoons are punctuated by dialogue balloons. In several places, Martha's hand-printed monologue overruns the pages. For reading aloud, the balloons can be included or omitted without damaging the sense of the story. A comparable tale about an unusual pet is Tomi Ungerer's Crictor (HarperCollins, 1958). Any preschool audience and most independent readers will yelp with laughter at this light, funny entertainment. --Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA

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