Martha Calling - (Martha Speaks) by Susan Meddaugh (Paperback)

About the Book

Martha the talking dog is on the phone and she's ordering chops from the butcher, talking to friends, and entering radio contests! Martha Calling received both a Parenting Reading Magic Award and a Parent's Choice Award. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Martha is a dog--a dog who can talk! In this story, Martha speaks up against the injustice of "No dogs allowed" signs and reminds humans that animals are part of the family.

Martha loves talking on the telephone. When she calls into a radio contest and wins a weekend getaway at the Come-On Inn, her family is ecstatic--until they realize dogs aren't allowed. Though they sneak her in, irrepressible Martha is not interested in staying hidden in the room. She thinks dogs should be able to have fun on vacation too. And when Martha speaks, people listen!

Review Quotes

"The bright cartoon-style art is incredibly clever, both in execution and in the way Meddaugh uses balloons to convey textual asides. A droll doggie delight that isn't just for the picture-book crowd." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

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.