MARTHA DOESN’T SAY SORRY
by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Bruce Whatley
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)