Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!

Martha Doesn't... #1

by Samantha Berger, Bruce Whatley (Illustrator)

Adorably clad in her pink dress and matching headband, Martha is ready to do just about anything - except say those three little words: I am sorry. But when this sweet but stubborn otter learns that niceties like cookies, piggyback rides, and hugs are for people who apologize, our mischievous heroine learns the ultimately rewarding feeling that comes with saying she's sorry.

Parents and kids alike will embrace the hilarious watercolor illustrations and the irreverent humor throughout in this pitch-perfect picture book that offers the gentlest of lessons.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Family, Emotion, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I discovered that Australian illustrator Bruce Whatley had a new picture-book coming out, featuring the tale of a recalcitrant girl-otter who refused to apologize, I envisioned something along the lines of Jackie French's hilarious Diary of a Wombat . Unfortunately, although Whatley's artwork here is moderately charming, it does not even begin to approach the droll brilliance of his wombat-work, nor does Samantha Berger's text have any of that tongue-in-cheek humor that so distinguishes French's narrative.

Of course, this is holding Martha Doesn't Say Sorry to very high standards, but even judged upon its own merits, there is little here that will excite the reader. Whatley's watercolor illustrations are cute, but hardly spectacular, and Berger's story was just a tad too didactic for my taste. It's not that there's anything wrong with this book, it's that there's nothing especially right about it...

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite surprised at how thoroughly my niece and nephew were absorbed by this book. The text is very simple, the story is very black and white, but the children were just swept up in it! The concept in the book is very easy for young kids to understand (they probably live versions of this story themselves on a daily basis), and older young kids will get a kick out of watching Martha learn what they already know. Cute story with plenty of opportunities to discuss consequences associated with positivie and negative behavior.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I realize that some people rated this book with 5 stars. It’s just that I was a bit underwhelmed. The book had potential.
Martha finally learns to say that she is sorry. This is after she notices that her parents are ignoring her and withholding cookies and piggyback rides. She apologizes for the wrong reasons. The opportunity was missed for her parents to explain why we should apologize and to help Martha develop empathy.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

FWA?!

7/13/21 - Just as fun to read aloud to an adult friend while imbibing adult beverages. Someday (*fingers crossed*) I'll have my voice back and be able to do everything which much more gusto.❤

[Kayla Worley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about an otter name Martha learns that niceties like cookies, piggy back rides, and hugs are for people who apologize our mischievous heroine learns to the ultimately rewarding feeling that comes with saying she's sorry. The intended audience for this book is K-2nd grade and 4-8 years. I selected this book because it will teach students the importance of saying sorry if they did something wrong or hurt someone so that way they can learn their manners.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ability to say "I'm sorry" is crucial for good relationships. And the ability to maintain and repair relationships is essential to having a happy life. I love how this book shows that apologizing is a good thing. It's a great book to start the conversation on the importance of saying I'm sorry.

[Melanie H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha loves cookies and piggyback rides and hugs. But when she refuses to apologize for her previous bad behavior she doesn't get the things she likes. She's really fine with that; until she isn't.

A really great book about learning to say your sorry.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read “Martha Doesn’t Share” to my granddaughter, and liked it so much, I had had to read this book about Martha. Good lesson on saying “I’m sorry” that toddlers and preschoolers can relate to.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about a little girl who has trouble apologizing. After several things she does to upset her family, she decides she must do the right thing. Great illustrations throughout. Highly recommended for Grades K-3. Great for discussion.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apologies are always ok

[☼Bookish in Virginia☼]

"Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!" is a delightful book. The artwork by Bruce Whatley is super and I love that there's a useful message to share with kids.

The book starts off by saying that "There are many things Martha does, but apologizing isn't one of them." Accompanying that text are six images of Martha crossing two pages that show Martha skateboarding, singing, practicing karate, etc., ... and finally Martha standing with her arms cross, chin up, obviously, stubbornly refusing to say sorry.

It then goes on to show some of the nice things Martha does, with the final caveat being that she doesn't apologize. Then having set the scene Samatha Berger, the author, shows us Martha misbehaving and making her family upset with her.

The best part of the story is how the author guides children through the process of understanding their feelings. She doesn't do it with text so much as with the drawings which are good enough that I think even very young children are going to be able to 'read' the characters emotions.

Talking Points:::
I really wish this book had been in print when my children were younger. I don't know about your household, but in ours, the kids had a terrible time learning to say they were sorry because of the guilt they felt. I think this book would have given us a way of talking about how those simple words, I'm Sorry, could make things better.

Definitely recommend this one if you want to talk about this issue. The artwork is so sweet. The story has its funny moments, and it's 'learning' moments. Heartwarming and a good Read-aloud.

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews.com

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy

Review:Publishers Weekly
Martha, a young otter, is a girl of many accomplishments and social graces ("She does give hugs. She does share her snack. She does make presents. She does read stories"). But apologizing is definitely not her thing, and after a spectacular day of misbehaving, her family draws the line. No apology? Then no cookies, piggyback rides or hugs. Can Martha rise to the occasion? Comparisons to Olivia may be inevitable, and while Martha isn't playing in that league, she has plenty of charm. Whatley's minimalist composition approach, used to great effect in Diary of a Wombat, returns, though his single-plane perspective grows monotonous. But he never overplays his hand, and his astute portraits (the family members are especially good at upturned noses of disapproval) should elicit giggles. Berger (Junior Goes to School) is a sly, sharp writer who clearly understands just how much is at stake for her heroine, which should make the message go down easy with readers. Ages 3-6. (May)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Recommendation: 3-6 Years

Notes: Lesson on saying sorry

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I thought this was a cute way to talk about apologies, it did bother me that Martha only apologizes once she realizes she can't get what she wants. No one will pay attention to her or give her things because she doesn't say sorry. There's also not a lot of emphasis on why we say sorry: because we understand and feel empathy for the person we've hurt. It's a promise that you're also not going to do it again. I dunno.

I'm Sorry seems like a better book to use in the classroom because it emphasizes how saying sorry isn't always enough, too.

Overall, it's a cute read, but I'm not sure Martha's resolve to say sorry is out of a genuine desire to stop making people upset.

[Jess Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha refuses to apologize, but she learns that people won't be willing to be around her if she's rude and doesn't say that she's sorry. I had a bit of trouble with this book. Martha learns to apologize, but only to get things that she wants, not for any other reason. She does admit at the end that deep down inside, she feels better after having said she's sorry, but I don't know that I like the idea of forcing kids to apologize so that they can get things. It just rings false. However, I'm sure there are many parents out there who would want this book to help illustrate to their children the proper way to apologize. Best for preschoolers and early elementary kids.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha is a young otter with a feisty attitude. Martha refuses to apologize until she is denied cookies, a piggyback ride, and a hug from her baby brother. When her actions have these consequences, she relents. Her apology is so quiet that no one can hear her. When that doesn't work, she realizes that an outloud, sincere apology is what she needs to offer to her agrieved family members. This is a good reminder to young children that rude behavior may have painful consequences.

The illustrations are well-done, my boys were less engaged because of the pastel colors. Still, a good lesson in avoiding bad behavior.

[Carole P. Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I loved the color of the cover. Drawn in beautiful pastels, with lovely illustrations, it's the story of a mole family featuring an imp called Martha. She likes to play, has a warm and loving relationship with her mother, father and brother, but is stubborn when it comes to saying sorry. What follows is a gentle lesson in coaxing an apology from a mulish youngster. When Martha realizes that nobody will play with her, she finally learns the benefit of proper manners. Love this mole! The book is not preachy, and the end is adorable.

[Boni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. Yes, it's message-y. Very much so, and I don't usually go for those. But, it also has some unexpected subtle humor and adorable art- and I dare say it has enough of both to overcome (for the most part) being a blatant message-bearer. I rather enjoyed it AND my daughter recognized herself in the main character- "Mom, you're laughing because you think this is about me, aren't you?!" so I think Berger has a successful book on her hands.

[Phuong Dao · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorite book. It talks about a little girl name Martha who doesn't say sorry for anything. No matter what she does wrong she always stuck her nose up and nevery say sorry. She would kick and scream and yell to get her way. This book was read to the kindergarten students when I was in block one. It is good to teach children not to throw tantrum but rather express how they feel inside by words.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plan to use this with my writing students in third grade to discuss
writing about manners or saying sorry with sincerity. Will try to get
them interested in the text and persuading others to ask with politeness
to receive something. They may find this a persuasive paragraph starter,
but I will have back up books if it doesn't start them on a discussion or
web. I like the illustrations and the story.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natalie picked this one out from a display at the library on bullying. She chose it of course because it was so pink. Its become a favorite. I like the structure of the book, the opportunities for inflection in reading, and the overall message. Natalie, however, seems to have picked up pretending the naughty aspects of the book. She pretends to dump things on me, says she won't say sorry, and once threw her cup on the floor yelling "fine." But, that's not the books fault.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a personal favorite of mine. As may be obvious, it's good for instigating conversations about the importance of saying "I'm sorry". The preschool group I read it with were already versed in the subject and readily interacted with the plot line of the story and offered plentiful examples of "when is it a good time to say you're sorry?" An overall well-done book; I personally love Martha's character design.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the message of this book is good--it's important to apologize--I had a hard time with the way it was expressed. By having the parents and brother shut Martha out when she didn't apologize, it seemed to me that their love was conditional. If the author had instead used friends to teach Martha the importance of apologizing, it might have been more effective.

[Deanna Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely use this with my pre-k students as some of them do not see the affect of their actions and do not apologize. This could also be a great community builder and a great way to have a discussion of how we expect our classroom to be. I also really like this book because it was written and illustrated by children!

[Rachel Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about a little girl who doesn't want to tell anyone she is sorry no matter what sad thing she does to them. She soon realizes though that it does not make her happy and that she does not get what she wants when she does not apologize. She decides she would rather say that she is sorry and be happy, so she apologizes for all of her sad choices.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Whatley really does some darling illustrations. I also love the story about a little girl who does not say sorry until..... She really wants to but... Ohhh it is hard to know what to do. Ages 2+

[Emmeline Guest · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple (pink) story, with minimal text and lovely colored pencil illustrations, is perfect for the little girl (or boy!) in your life who needs a (sweet) reminder that it is okay to say "I'm sorry."

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations make this book. Who knew a kangaroo could so perfectly look aloof or grumpy or sorry. Great story with outstanding illustrations. Would most appeal to old picture book listeners with a well developed sense of humor.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Doesn't Say Sorry is a fabulous picture book which works very well for preschooler story time. Martha does bad things and doesn't want to apologize, but eventually, she starts to see that treating others badly becomes a two-way street.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha does a lot of things: some nice and some not. One thing she doesn't do is say I'm sorry! She quickly learns that things she'd like such as cookies, piggy back rides and hugs don't come to girls that don't apologize!

[Viviane Elbee]

The illustrations in this book are quite cute. I liked the way Martha's character was portrayed.

Obviously there is a message about saying "I'm sorry!" when you do something wrong.

The beginning of the book was quite funny, but the ending, while nice, was not as funny.