PBS producer WGBH Boston has joined forces with Vancouver-based Studio B Productions to develop and coproduce Martha Speaks, an animated 40 x 30 based on the award-winning books by Susan Meddaugh. The series is about a dog with a hunger for alphabet soup that ends up giving her the ability to speak to humans.

The literacy-based series will aim to bolster kids’ vocabularies and is slated for a fall 2008 broadcast launch. Studio B is retaining international distribution rights.

‘A talking dog is exactly what’s needed to reach preschoolers and help to increase their vocabulary. Children identify and respond to animated characters,’ said executive producer Carol Greenwald (Curious George, Arthur) in a statement.

From KidScreen Daily