Other new PBS shows for kids: 'Martha Speaks' and 'Lomax'

"Sid the Science Kid" isn't the only addition to the children's-TV landscape this fall on PBS. Two other new shows are scheduled:

"Martha Speaks" (7:30 a.m. EDT weekdays, premiering Monday): Based on a book series by Susan Meddaugh, the Martha of the title is a dog who consumes alphabet soup that gives her the ability to speak like a human.

The series aims to bolster the vocabulary of children ages 4-7. Each episode features two 11-minute stories.

"Lomax: The Hound of Music" (10 a.m. Sunday, premiering Oct. 12): From the producers of PBS's "Between the Lions," this series aimed at children ages 3-7 will attempt to increase musical intelligence through a melody-obsessed puppet pooch named Lomax.

Lomax -- named for musicologist Alan Lomax -- is joined by blues-singing cat Delta and Amy, a human companion and singer. All three ride the rails in a caboose they share, tracking down songs that make up America's musical heritage. Tunes featured in the series include "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," "Mary Mack" and "Turkey in the Straw."

(Contact TV editor Rob Owen at rowen(at)post-gazette.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)