Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!

by Samantha Berger, Bruce Whatley (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316186728
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/15/2011
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	763,616
Lexile:	AD480L (what's this?)
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Samantha Berger has written picture books including What If..., Crankenstein and A Crankenstein Valentine, Witch Spa, Snoozefest, Santa's Reindeer Games, and Martha Doesn't Say Sorry, which won a Parent's Choice Award Honor. When she isn't writing, she's doing voice-overs, traveling the world, and helping rescue dogs. Samantha splits her time between New York City and California.

Editorial Reviews

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)

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Publishers Weekly

Martha is a pretty normal kid, for an otter-she skateboards and sings, shares her snack and makes presents, sticks out her tongue and throws things. But no matter what, she does not apologize. That is, until the day that she does some not-so-nice things to her mother, father and baby brother. Martha wrestles with wanting to do the right thing without having to say sorry, but her family doesn't give cookies, piggyback rides or hugs to people who don't apologize. Near the beginning, readers may see a bit of Eloise and Olivia in Martha's upturned nose and stubborn refusal to do the right thing, but happily, her loving family's lesson hits home and she learns to make amends, albeit at first like Carl Norac's Lola (I Love You So Much, illustrated by Claude K. Dubois, 1998, etc.). The watercolor-and-colored-pencil artwork encapsulates Martha's girliness, her better-than-thou attitude and her internal struggle with her conscience. Whatley's representation of body language and facial expression powerfully complement the text. An enjoyable introduction to what could be a new beloved character. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews