Martha Speaks: Martha and Skits Out West

Martha Speaks Readers

by Susan Meddaugh

Martha’s family and Skits are going out west on vacation, and Martha doesn’t want to be left behind. But that cargo hold where dogs have to travel sounds scary. Martha has to prove that she’s no scaredydog if she wants to go on the trip. After they arrive, Martha is so excited to go on a cattle drive through Montana. But Cookie the cowhand isn’t so sure that Martha is fit for the trip after she causes a stampede. Can Martha show Cookie that she has what it takes to be at home on the range?

Includes a glossary, instructions on creating your own travel journal, and a fun western word activity.

Genres: Dogs

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2011

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. - from HMHBooks.com

Susan Meddaugh, a New England Book Award Winner, adores Halloween and calls it "THE major Holiday" in her household, in part, she says "because it's the only time in the year when you get to be someone else." - from Candlewick.com

Reviews

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Based on the PBS series, it's series of Martha the Talking Dog easy chapter books. Great full color illustrations, but doesn't look too much like a TV show. Glossary and activities in the back. Rather advanced vocabulary, so the grades that can read it by themselves probably won't want to since they will think of it as preschooler book, and those that know the show won't be able to read it. Probably wouldn't work for my school, but could be a fun series to have on hand.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha overcomes her fear of flying and causes quite a bit of trouble at a cattle drive. But in the end, they can't keep a good dog down and Martha uses her unique talents to rescue the cattle drive.