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.
"Martha tames a bully - with kind words - in the latest funny tale of the talking dog. She enjoys impressing humans with her ability to speak, but she also needs her daily walks with her neighborhood dog pals, scratching, sniffing, snoozing, chasing. Then a new dog arrives, a big, ferocious hound who barks at Martha and everything else and who is kept chained up by his fierce owner. One day, the angry bully breaks his chain and chases Martha. All her shouts and insults have no effect, and she nearly runs out of words and breath - until the bully hears the words 'Good dog!' and he smiles and wags his tail. As always, Meddaugh's line-and-watercolor cartoons and ballooned gags celebrate not only humor and courage but also Martha's elemental discovery: 'Words are such fun.'" Booklist, ALA --
K-Gr 3-Martha the talking dog has yet another adventure. This time, the loquacious canine has the unfortunate experience of having a noisy neighbor move in with his bad dog. Bob is always barking and his owner is always screaming at him. When the offensive animal starts to pick on the neighborhood dogs, Martha speaks up. A beautifully creative name-calling chase ensues. "You mangy mongrel/crummy cur/big baboon," she taunts. However, she later finds that a talking parrot's praise is far more effective at controlling the bully's behavior, and his owner learns to calm him with sweet talk. The story ends, "Looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Everything about the book is extremely well done, from the story line to the illustrations and presentation. The drawings are colorful and full of emotion, showing a wide range of feelings in the canine and human faces. Another great story in a great tradition.-Shelley Woods, Boston Public Library, MA
"Martha tames a bully - with kind words - in the latest funny tale of the talking dog. She enjoys impressing humans with her ability to speak, but she also needs her daily walks with her neighborhood dog pals, scratching, sniffing, snoozing, chasing. Then a new dog arrives, a big, ferocious hound who barks at Martha and everything else and who is kept chained up by his fierce owner. One day, the angry bully breaks his chain and chases Martha. All her shouts and insults have no effect, and she nearly runs out of words and breath - until the bully hears the words 'Good dog!' and he smiles and wags his tail. As always, Meddaugh's line-and-watercolor cartoons and ballooned gags celebrate not only humor and courage but also Martha's elemental discovery: 'Words are such fun.'" Booklist, ALA --
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
