Here are 100 books that Martha Speaks fans have personally recommended if you like
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I have been creating picture books for 30 years. Picture books are a combination of words and language - thatās what I am drawn to. I love vivid language and art that tells stories. I love wordplay and cornball puns. I savor a perfectly crafted sentence in proper English, but I am not a stickler for perfect grammar. I like slang, pig-latin, and mistakes. I enjoy the sound of languages that I know and that I donāt know. I hope that you enjoy all of these wordy books, including mine.
This book is an ode to the pleasures of words - their sound, look, and meaning. It consists of lists of words such as "words to read backward" including drows, mulp and gubdeb. Or "heavy words" such as duffle, blunderbuss, and galoshes. "Words for times of day" include dusk, owl cry, dewfall, and gloaming.
It is perfectly illustrated by Ben Shahn with black and white line drawings. The scratchy, uneven, expressive lines perfectly capture both the humor and gravity of the words.
I have loved these books since I was a child and The Wordy Book sprang out of that love.
What can words be, or rather, what canāt they be? Poet Alastair Reid introduces children and adults to the wondrous waywardness of words in Ounce Dice Trice, a delicious confection and a wildly unexpected exploration of sound and sense and nonsense that is like nothing else. Reid offers light words (willow, whirr, spinnaker) and heavy words (galoshes, mugwump, crumb), words on the move and odd words, words that read both ways and words that read the wrong way around (rezagrats), along with much else. Accompanied by Ben Shahnās glorious drawings, Ounce Dice Trice is a book of endless delights, notā¦
I have been creating picture books for 30 years. Picture books are a combination of words and language - thatās what I am drawn to. I love vivid language and art that tells stories. I love wordplay and cornball puns. I savor a perfectly crafted sentence in proper English, but I am not a stickler for perfect grammar. I like slang, pig-latin, and mistakes. I enjoy the sound of languages that I know and that I donāt know. I hope that you enjoy all of these wordy books, including mine.
Another book by Steig! Yes! This book was written and illustrated by Wm. Steig. It does not contain CDB oils. It doesnāt actually contain words either. It only contains letters. When you read the letters out loud you hear words. Some of the sentences would be confusing, but Steigās illustrations help you to figure out the meaning.
For example, C D B means See the Bee.
He talks about emotions: I N-V U
He describes situations: D N S 5 X. That one might be confusing if it didnāt have a picture of the hen and the x that she just laid.
This book makes you hear and see words differently, and it is funny. If you find this book X-L-R-8-N then you will be happy to know that there is a sequel - C D C! Dip your toes into the deep blue C of letters and sounds.
I have been creating picture books for 30 years. Picture books are a combination of words and language - thatās what I am drawn to. I love vivid language and art that tells stories. I love wordplay and cornball puns. I savor a perfectly crafted sentence in proper English, but I am not a stickler for perfect grammar. I like slang, pig-latin, and mistakes. I enjoy the sound of languages that I know and that I donāt know. I hope that you enjoy all of these wordy books, including mine.
Alphamaniacs is subtitled: Builders of the 26 Wonders of the Word. Fleischman profiles 26 people who explore and delight in language. The book is a kind of gateway drug for language lovers. After reading this book I had to look for more books. I needed to see Anguish Languish by Howard Chace. Anguish Languish is almost the English Language: the words make up stories that you know, but the individual words have different meanings than you expect. Can you recognize the story of "Ladle Rat Rotten Hut"? Hint: the hut is part of a red cape, and the story includes a big bad woof.
Chace is just one eccentric wordsmith of the many introduced by Fleischman.
Sweetās collaged and painted illustrations play with the ideas in the book and use words as part of the imagery. The art is lovely and smart.
Are you a word person? A curiosity seeker? An explorer? Take a look at these twenty-six extraordinary individuals for whom love of language is an extreme sport.
Step right up and read the genuine stories of writers so intoxicated by the shapes and sound of language that they collected, dissected, and constructed verbal wonders of the most extraordinary kind. Jean-Dominique Bauby wrote his memoirs by blinking his left eyelid, unable to move the rest of his body. Frederic Cassidy was obsessed with the language of place, and after posing hundreds of questions to folks all over the United States, amassedā¦
Iām a picture book writer who struggles with anxiety. Some things that seem like no big deal to most people can become a very big worry for me (like Giraffe worries about Spider in It Will Be OK). I found that identifying and naming our emotionsāin this case fearāmakes it easier to address our feelings and work through them. I want to share my experience of being fearful of things, both big and small, with children to let them know they are not alone and they can have power over scary emotions.
I love this bookās unique approach to sharing a story about fear ā it lists all the wild ruminations that can run through our minds. In this case, itās a dog Sukie who is not enjoying a trip to the beach because, among other worries, there might be lobsters! Sukieās list of fears grows and grows as the story goes on, and she is paralyzed in the sand ā until her precious toy Chunka Munka is swept into the water. Sukie lets love overpower her fear and jumps into the water without a worry to save her precious friend. Itās a wonderful story about what we are willing to do to overcome our fear for the sake of others.
Come on, Sukie, you can do it! A little dogās paralyzing anxiety gives way to bravery when someone smaller is in need in this humorous, tenderly sympathetic story.
Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. With endearing illustrations and a perfectly paced text that captures a timid pupās looping thoughts, here is a funny and honest read-aloud about how overwhelming the world can beā¦
I have been creating picture books for 30 years. Picture books are a combination of words and language - thatās what I am drawn to. I love vivid language and art that tells stories. I love wordplay and cornball puns. I savor a perfectly crafted sentence in proper English, but I am not a stickler for perfect grammar. I like slang, pig-latin, and mistakes. I enjoy the sound of languages that I know and that I donāt know. I hope that you enjoy all of these wordy books, including mine.
Jeanne Steig wrote a giddy delightful poem for each letter of the alphabet. The poems are replete with weird and wonderful words. The goofy illustrations by William Steig tickle your eyes. One of my favorite poems is "Mishmash". Notice all of the many M words in Mishmash: mallet, misguided, minimize, mix, milk. Could Myron majestically mash potatoes? Mmmm, no.
Mishmash
Making mashed potatoes, Myron?
Must you mix them with the hammer?
This bizarre, misguided method
Causes quite a katzenjammer.
Might you add the milk and butter
In a more majestic manner?
Might a mallet not be better?
That would minimize the clamor.
Growing up, my brothers and I begged for a dog, but our parents never gave in. Fortunately, when my kids begged for a pup, my husband and I gave in. So, as a childrenās book writer, I wanted to give kids a book to help them convince their parents that thereās always room for a pup in the family, and at the same time, subtly emphasize the importance of gratitude and inclusion.
Hound Wonāt Go reminds us that dogs, like people, have unique minds of their own. (And despite all the training in the world, that we arenāt ever totally in control of our lovable four-legged friends.) The rhyming sparse text is fun for reluctant and new readers to read and listen to ā again and again.
Out for a walk on a cloudy day, Hound suddenly decides that he's gone far enoughā¦right in the middle of a busy intersection! His owner tugs on his leash and offers treat after treat, but Hound won't go. Then those clouds open up into a thunderstormāand Hound goes and goes. Short, bouncy text and a sweet ending make this the perfect story for all who love dogs, even at their most stubborn.
Iām pretty sure Iām about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.
Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! Itās a dream come true untilā¦
Growing up, my brothers and I begged for a dog, but our parents never gave in. Fortunately, when my kids begged for a pup, my husband and I gave in. So, as a childrenās book writer, I wanted to give kids a book to help them convince their parents that thereās always room for a pup in the family, and at the same time, subtly emphasize the importance of gratitude and inclusion.
With two simple words--ādogā and ācatā-- in several configurations, Cat Dog Dog explores the stress of settling into a blended family as well as the power of pets to bring people together. If a child can recognize these two three-letter words, they can read this book independently. The illustrations are worth a thousand words.
Here is the oh-so-hilarious and adorable story of a blended family-- using just a few words in various configurations-- from the pets' point-of-view!
Cat and Dog live with their human in a suburban house with a big backyard. Sure, they fight like.... well, cats and dogs, but they're used to one another. Dog-- a different dog-- lives a happy only child life in the city with his dad. He has the bed to himself, he never has to share his toys, and that's the way he likes it. So what happens when the Dog's dad and Cat and Dog's momā¦
Growing up, my brothers and I begged for a dog, but our parents never gave in. Fortunately, when my kids begged for a pup, my husband and I gave in. So, as a childrenās book writer, I wanted to give kids a book to help them convince their parents that thereās always room for a pup in the family, and at the same time, subtly emphasize the importance of gratitude and inclusion.
When is an encyclopedia a fun read? When it introduces you to 150 plus dog breeds with photographs, fun facts, and an overview of physical and behavioral characteristics. The Dog Encyclopedia for Kids is the perfect book to help you find your perfect pet. Yes, thereās definitely a dog for everyone.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are born with extra toes. Dalmatians are born without spots. Some Siberian Huskies have one blue eye and one brown eye. Learn all about the characteristics of various dog breeds and much more! Packed with amazing photographs and fun facts, dog owners and fans will get an in-depth look at these curious, lovable canines.
I love dachshunds! My dachshund Harry has appeared in several of my books including Dozens of Dachshunds; May I Pet Your Dog?; Oodles of Poodles and Doodles (yep, he's in that one, too); and the Ready, Set, Dogs! chapter book series written with Magic School Bus author Joanna Cole. I'm a former early childhood teacher and children's book editor and I've written over 100 books for children.
This is a gentle, joyful story about perseverance and growing up.
A young boy named Peter wishes he could whistle. When he sees that another boy can whistle to get his dog to run to him, he wants to do the same with his dachshund Willie. Peter tries and tries to learn. He tries so hard his cheeks get tired. He doesn't give up and triumphs in the end.
Several other books by Ezra Jack Keats feature Peter and Willie together and they're a pair worth knowing.
Since it was first published in 1964, Whistle for Willie has delighted millions of young readers with its nearly wordless text and its striking collage artwork depicting the story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog. The New York Times wrote: "Mr. Keats' illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world, and the shimmering heat of a summer's day."
Discover a new early middle-grade graphic novel series full of humor and heart about a lovable dog, her favorite human, and their pawsome pack in this unforgettable friendship story. Though Thunder wants to be good for Sage, sheās having a rough time stopping herself from doing things she knows areā¦
I believe that books have saved my life. When I was a child, I was often depressed and anxious, and I instinctively found refuge in reading. I sought books acknowledging that the world can be a painful and difficult place but showed that it was also filled with happiness, love, and joy as long as you knew where to look. My passion for reading has stayed with me, I host the Youāre Booked podcast where I talk to iconic authors about the books that have brought them comfort and joy. And whenever I feel anxious, I still reach for a bookābecause reading heals my heart.
I loved how different the three main characters are. Theyāre unlike anyone Iāve met in real life, all at different ages and situations, but I could relate to them immediately. My heart broke for grumpy, widowed George, pushing everyone away, and Lizzie, coming out of an abusive relationship and wondering if she dares to feel love again.
This book filled me with hope. It gave me the courage to think about some of the more painful relationships Iāve been in and consider how far Iāve come. I was also seduced by the beauty of the writing; I kept wanting to go back and reread paragraphs because the descriptions were so perfect. And it made me laugh!
'Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant...Definitely one of my favourite novels of 2021' AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird and Yours Cheerfully
'A charming, surprising and moving story of three troubled characters' encounter with love, grief, healing...and dogs' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures
'Funny, sad, gritty and beautifully told.' Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins
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George is angry at the world. His wife has died and now all he wants to do is sit in his underpants and shout at the cricket. The last thing he needs is his cake-bakingā¦