I grew up in Baldwinville, so I never got to meet Martha. But I had Mrs. Sullivan, my fourth grade teacher at Otter River Elementary School, who read to us every day. The Phantom Tollbooth, Lewis Carroll — I can still hear her wonderful, expressive reading voice. I’m 56. Those things stay with you. So when Kimberly Hallinan of Gardner told me about Martha, the monkey puppet who has been learning to read alongside her second graders for more than 15 years, I understood exactly why her former students, now grown, still remember her. Kimberly has turned Martha into the star of two children’s books. What follows is in her own words, lightly edited for consistency.
Kimberly Hallinan
Author and Illustrator
Town: Gardner, MA
I am a second grade teacher and have a love for learning and the well-being of the whole child, both academically and social/emotionally. Martha has been my monkey puppet in my classroom for over 15 years, and my students teach her how to read. Hundreds of children have come and gone and fallen in love with my monkey, and ones who have reached adulthood still tell me how much they loved Martha and that is all they remember from being 7. She is my inspiration to not only honor all the children’s lives I have touched but to also be obedient to the call God gave me so long ago, to be faithful and teach.
My writing style is rhythmic and full of rhyme and repetitive words, and it adheres to many Common Core standards for grades K–4. It’s designed for classrooms to be read aloud and for homes for snuggling.
Published
Martha Just Wants to Know (Children’s picture book, 2024)
Martha Just Wants to Know is about Martha being curious and asking factual questions to all her animal friends in Africa. She gets answers even though she sometimes asks at the wrong times, but she learns she is wise for staying curious and being a lifelong learner.
Martha Just Keeps Learning (Children’s picture book, November 2026)
In this book, Martha goes to school and learns about handling anxiety, and that making mistakes is how our brains grow. She learns the power of “yet” is so important to never give up. Written in the same style as the first book.
Upcoming Excitement
Martha Just Keeps Learning should be available on Amazon as an e-book as early in November 2026, with physical copies available shortly thereafter.
New finger puppets have arrived from Australia to go with each book for playtime while you read, while supplies last.
Follow me to see where I will be at area fairs and events selling personalized animal art for kids and having author signings.
Where to Buy
Brick-and-mortar bookstores
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Walmart
Connect with Kimberly
- Email: hallinanimals4u@gmail.com
- Facebook: One of a Kind Hallinanimals Kimberly Hallinan Author/Illustrator
- Instagram: @kimberlyhallinan
- YouTube: Kimberly Hallinan Children’s Author and Illustrator
- TikTok: @kimberlyhallinan5
