Children's Book Reviews
Martha Calling
Written and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh,
Houghton Mifflin, 1994
The story of Martha the talking dog, which began with the book Martha Speaks, continues in the hilarious sequel Martha Calling. Martha is the dog who ate alphabet soup, which went directly to her brain, giving her the ability to talk. And does she love to talk! Now, Martha is back and talking up a storm, especially on the telephone. Martha soon notices that she is treated with more respect and gets much better service over the phone than in person. When she wins a phone-in radio contest, the real prejudices against dogs become clear. The prize is a vacation at the Come-On-Inn, with one stipulation -- "No dogs allowed". Undeterred, Martha disguises herself as "grandma" and heads off to the Inn. There, Martha's true identity is revealed and, in the delightful finale, she wins justice for all the pets excluded from family vacations.
Susan Meddaugh has created a spunky heroine in Martha. Children who met Martha in the first book will have fun following her further adventures, although this title can be enjoyed on its own. The humour is captured in the illustrations and the text, including funny dialogue inside speech bubbles. Readers will enjoy both a good laugh and a satisfying story.
I Am Small
Written by Sheree Fitch
Illustrated by Kim Lafave
Doubleday, 1994
Canadian poet Sheree Fitch creates poems that jump off the page and leap off the tongue. In addition to that, she writes poems that appeal to pre-schoolers -- no easy feat! In an earlier title, There were Monkeys in my Kitchen!, Fitch told readers a riotous story about monkeys bouncing basketballs -- a poem perfect for children who love the sound of language. In this newer book, the author explores the thoughts of a young child. "This is small talking. I cannot reach the light switch. The glasses in the kitchen cupboard..." From items unreached to secret dreams, Fitch captures a true sense of childhood. She cleverly portrays a child's beginning sense of self and the confusion and comfort that brings. "My eyes belong to me, they tell me I'm me and nobody else. But, if I were not inside my body, who would be me?"
Kim Lafave's illustrations make the book very accessible to young children, although their lightness sometimes belies the intensity of the text. However, this may be the appeal -- deep thoughts made universal by their simple presentation. In I an small, children will recognize their feelings and have them validated. And adult readers will see a clear flicker of their own childhood imaginings.
Elizabeth Thornley is a librarian in the Children's Department of the Ottawa Public
Library.
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This article first appeared in Interaction published by the Canadian Child Care Federation, Spring, 1995. |
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