Martha Speaks New Episodes Premiere

When it comes to the television shows that my kids watch, I especially like the ones that are not only entertaining for them but are also educational. They might as well be learning colors, numbers, science, morals and more while following along with the adventures of their favorite characters, right?

One such show that we enjoy is one that, along with being unique and fun, is designed to enrich the vocabulary of 4- to 7-year-olds. What a bonus! So, of course we're all excited to tune in and see what antics happen next on Martha Speaks.

Everyone's favorite talking dog is back as Martha Speaks premieres five new episodes throughout Presidents' Day week on PBS KIDS. Focusing on the arts, specifically opera, classical music, theater and even Greek myths, you and your kids will want to be sure to join Martha and her friends as they explore the arts while learning words such as soprano, conductor, legend, dramatize and more.

The fun starts with The Opera Contest and Maestro Martha on Monday, February 21 (check your local listings). In The Opera Contest, a local opera company is holding a contest to get kids interested in opera. When Martha helps the kids enter their own opera, will the audience shower them with applause?

In Maestro Martha, bad guys Pablum and Weaselgraft have a plan to turn a charity concert into a heist by using the power of music... very strange music. Can Martha turn down the volume on their evil scheming before it's too late?

On Wednesday, February 23, in Martha Acts Up, Mrs. Boxwood offers Martha a part in Alice in Wonderland. Martha is thrilled at her opportunity to become a star of the theater, but when she finds out she’ has been cast as the Cheshire Cat, she'’s horrified. Will Martha be able to get into character before the night of the show?

The week concludes on Friday, February 25 when the kids’ take on classic Greek myths. In “Myth Me?” and TD’'s Myth Take, the gang turns a boring, rainy day into fun by acting out Greek myths. The trouble is, TD doesn'’t like the way Greek myths end and decides to come up with his own endings. With the help of Martha and Truman, TD puts on a performance that exceeds everyone’s expectations.

Also airing during this special week is “Skits and Mr. Scruffles and “Brave Truman” on February 22, and “Patrol Dog Martha and The Crooning Crook Caper” on February 24. Be sure to check your local listings for exact airdates and times for all Martha Speaks episodes! Here's a little preview to get you in the mood for this lovable canine...


In addition to new episodes, join Martha and pals online at PBS KIDS for new games, printables and videos. New this season is a feature called Dog Tags that lets kids upload a picture of their pet, decorate and tag it with vocabulary words from the show like miniature, peculiar and nimble, and submit their creations to Martha'’s featured pet gallery.

In addition, kids can play with theater-associated words in the new game Truman’'s Word Play. In this game, Truman sets the stage for the rest of the Martha crew to put on a terrific show. Kids participate in the production by first selecting a word on the stage and then providing the action for three different uses of that word. They actively learn the vocabulary as they mimic a dance, make a bowl of soup vanish, balance a sombrero by catapulting pineapples and more!

Head over to PBS KIDS online now to play these fun games and then be sure to check out all of the great new episodes premiering this week. It might seem a little grown-up to introduce opera and classical music, theater and Greek mythology to kids, but Martha has her own unique way of making them accessible to all ages! For more educational resources, visit Martha Speaks on Facebook and Twitter as well.

But that's not all! This week only, visit Ty's Toy Box and receive 10% off of Martha Speaks apparel by entering the coupon code ABC. Head over for fun gift ideas for all of the Martha fans in your life!

(Other than the information and screening copies of Martha Speaks that I am being sent from WGBH, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this show.)