Martha Habla: Problemas con un juguete / Martha Speaks: Toy Trouble (Reader)

by Susan Meddaugh

Overview

A Spanish/English bilingual Level 1 reader based on the hit PBS TV show, Martha Speaks! In this story, Martha and Skits can't stop fighting over who gets to play with an exciting new toy. This edition features text set in two easy-to-read colors, and activites to reinforce new vocabulary from the story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544503892
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	11/03/2015
Series:	Martha Speaks Series
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Language:	Spanish
Lexile:	450L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Susan Meddaugh was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from Wheaton College, where she studied French literature and fine arts. After working briefly with an advertising agency in New York, she moved to Boston and worked at a publishing company for ten years, first as a designer, then art editor, and finally as art director. While there, she did the illustrations for Good Stones (Houghton Mifflin) by Anne Epstein, and then decided to strike out on her own as a freelance illustrator and creator of children's books. Since that time, 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. In 1998 she was awarded the New England Book Award, given by the New England Booksellers Association to recognize a body of work. Her work also was acknowledged with a New York Times Best Illustrated Award. She lives in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

"The colorful illustrations based on the popular television show contribute to this bilingual reader’s high recognition factor. These cartoon images also reinforce the text, which is framed by a generous amount of white space. In addition to each language being differentiated by color—English in black and Spanish in blue—the placement of both texts on the same page facilitates language enrichment and learning."
–School Library Journal

From the Publisher

01/01/2016
K-Gr 2—"Frenemies" Martha and Skits fight over a flying squirrel chew toy that T.D. has just given them. An exasperated Helen lays down the law and makes them watch a video about sharing. Since neither dog wants to cede possession of the toy, the program's message is ignored. Many children will secretly empathize with the dogs' reluctance to take turns. While the dogs eventually agree to a novel solution (a new game called "steal the squirrel"), bossy Helen's sudden desire to join the game is too abrupt. The colorful illustrations based on the popular television show contribute to this bilingual reader's high recognition factor. These cartoon images also reinforce the text, which is framed by a generous amount of white space. In addition to each language being differentiated by color—English in black and Spanish in blue—the placement of both texts on the same page facilitates language enrichment and learning. Even the speech bubbles are bilingual, making for a positive, integrated experience for adult and child readers of each language. Two short vocabulary exercises are included at the back of the book. Unfortunately, there is no phonetic pronunciation guide. VERDICT In spite of the forced ending, this title will have wide appeal in public libraries and schools.—Mary Margaret Mercado, Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ

School Library Journal