The adage "you are what you eat" is only too true in Martha's case. After innocently consuming some alphabet soup, Martha the dog is transformed into a talking canine when the letters from her meal travel to her brain instead of to her stomach. Her human family is delighted at first, as the two species exchange all types of never before shared information, but soon Martha's incessant gift of gab proves annoying. Crushed by her owners' disapproval, Martha takes a vow of silence, until the day her unique ability makes her an unexpected heroine. An unremarkable-appearing family pet, Martha's transformation into Superdog is described in a sophisticated text, humorously augmented with simple illustrations. (Ages 4-8)

When Helen Finney feeds alphabet soup to her dog, Martha, it goes straight up to her brain, and Martha begins to speak! The basis for the Emmy-nominated PBS series.

Having a talking dog is a lot of fun--unless your dog never stops talking! When chatty Martha gives her family the silent treatment they're relieved at first, but then they get worried. Will Martha ever speak again?