Martha Speaks is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh and published by Houghton Mifflin in September 1992. It is the first in a series of six books featuring a young girl named Helen Finney and her pet dog named Martha.

Martha Speaks
AuthorSusan Meddaugh
IllustratorSusan Meddaugh
SeriesMartha Speaks
GenreChildren's picture book
PublisherHoughton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date
September 1992[1]
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePaper
Pages32 pp
Followed byMartha Calling 

Plot

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The book follows the adventures of the dog Martha, who could speak after being fed alphabet soup. The family complains about Martha being talkative and she stops eating her soup. When a burglar breaks into the family's house, Martha was unable to call for help. When the burglar gives her alphabet soup, Martha calls the police and the family appreciates her for speaking again.

Reception

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The Horn Book Magazine said the book was "Good-natured and amusing, with cheerful illustrations"[2] and Patricia Tauzer writing for Common Sense Media wrote in a four star (out of five) review that, "the story is clever."[3]

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References

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  1. ^ "Barnes & Noble – Used Book Search Results – Martha Speaks – Susan Meddaugh – Hardcover". Archived from the original on May 23, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  2. ^ A.A.F. (1993). Martha Speaks. Horn Book Magazine, 69(1), 76. Retrieved from Ebsco.
  3. ^ Tauzer, Patricia. "Martha Speaks – Book Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved November 11, 2018.