Martha Calling

by Susan Meddaugh (Illustrator)

Overview

Martha's back and this time she's talking up a storm on the telephone! When she wins a free weekend for her and her family at the Come-On-Inn, the trouble really begins.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547530604
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/12/2013
Series:	Martha Speaks Series
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	540L (what's this?)
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Susan Meddaugh worked at a publishing company for ten years, first as a designer, then art editor, and finally as art director before striking out on her own as a freelance illustrator and creator of children's books. Susan has written and illustrated many popular books for children, including Martha Speaks, which was chosen as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book for 1992. Her Martha Speaks book series was adapted into an award-winning PBS Kids TV show. She lives in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

The second book about Martha the talking dog is "unsurprising but amusing," said PW. "Kids are sure to be drawn in once again by Meddaugh's witty and unaffected cartooning." Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

K-Gr 3-Martha, the loquacious pup introduced in Martha Speaks (Houghton, 1992), keeps up her nonstop chatter- this time on the telephone. When she answers a radio call-in contest question and wins a weekend for four at the Come-On-Inn, she's delighted-until she finds out that dogs are not allowed. Dressed as a grandmother and plunked in a wheelchair, she and her family set off for their holiday, and mayhem ensues as Martha, ever angry at the inn's exclusionary policy, cannot remain calm. The unadorned text takes second place to the hilarious dialogue balloons, and to the action-packed cartoons that show the family outing and an angry pooch that just can't seem to stay in character as an elderly woman. All ends well, though, as Martha eloquently presents her position, mustering up the support of the other guests. Bled spreads in popsicle colors, with crazy patterns and zany antics, add the perfect touch to this selection that calls up laughs galore.-Trev Jones, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

What a dog! Martha was introduced in "Martha Speaks" (1992), in which she swallows a can of alphabet soup. The letters go to her brain instead of her stomach, Martha starts talking, and now she won't shut up: "Me . . . meat . . . meatloaf, I like those words." But there are three words Martha hates, "No Dogs Allowed." When Martha wins a trip to the Come-On-Inn, the family have to dress her as their grandmother to avoid the no-pets rule. Martha makes a few faux pas like jumping up to catch a Frisbee, but mostly she remains undercover--and bored. With nothing to do, she orders in a pile of meat from room service and becomes so sleepy and bloated that when she's spotted by guests, someone yells, "A dog has eaten Grandma!" The commotion raises Martha from her stupor, and she makes an impassioned plea: "No Dogs Allowed! I can't believe it! Dogs have been by your side since you were in caves . . . and we still can't go into a restaurant and order a steak." The guests are moved. The Come-On-Inn changes policy, changes its name to the Sit-n-Stay Inn, and now pets are allowed, and business is "grreat!" The bright cartoon-style art is incredibly clever, both in execution and the way Meddaugh uses balloons to convey textual asides. A droll doggie delight that isn't just for the picture-book crowd.

Ilene Cooper