George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends [Hardcover]

James Marshall (Author), Maurice Sendak (Foreword)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: George & Martha Early Reader (Hardback)

George and Martha: not, as one might think, the first president and his spouse, but two hippopotamuses created by the singular talent of James Marshall. For the past quarter century, these stories have entertained, intrigued, and delighted readers of all ages. The portly animals have also taught us, in a humorous and lighthearted way, about what it means to be a true friend. A man with a talent for friendship, James Marshall defined its very essence in his stories about the world's two best friends. In this volume, all thirty-five episodes are brought together to celebrate friendship and two of the most lovable book characters ever created.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Like all best friends, George and Martha do everything together--go to the movies, play at the beach, and just hang around not doing much of anything. No matter that they happen to be gigantic hippopotami, they learn the same lessons humans do about the ups and downs of true friendship. George and Martha teach each other (and adoring readers) that even in a close friendship, privacy is important, practical jokes can sometimes backfire, and among other things, pouring split pea soup into your loafers to spare the chef's feelings is not the best laid plan.

What's remarkable about the stories in this wonderful collection is the emotion James Marshall infuses into his understated, charming text and illustrations. Each brief tale is always humorous, never preachy, and his drawings--deceptively simple in appearance--are guaranteed to spark feelings of empathy, delight, and self-recognition. Maurice Sendak, in his foreword to this 25th anniversary compilation edition of all 35 stories, notes, "Those dear, ditzy, down-to-earth hippos bring serious pleasure to everybody, not only to children. They are time-capsule hippos who will always remind us of a paradise in publishing and--both seriously and comically--of the true, durable meaning of friendship under the best and worst conditions." (Ages 4 and up)

Review

George and Martha (1972); George and Martha Encore (1973); George and Martha Rise and Shine (1976); George and Martha One Fine Day (1978); George and Martha Tons of Fun (1980); George and Martha Back in Town (1984); George and Martha Round and Round (1988). Young fans will enjoy this twenty-fifth anniversary edition, which contains all thirty-five stories about the hippo duo (and is as hefty as its subjects); older fans will particularly appreciate the foreword by Maurice Sendak. Horn Book

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; First edition. edition (October 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395851580
• ISBN-13: 978-0395851586
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Marshall (1942-1992) created dozens of exuberant and captivating books for children, including THE STUPIDS, MISS NELSON IS MISSING!, and the ever-popular GEORGE AND MARTHA books. Before creating his canon of classic, hilarious children's books, James Marshall played the viola, studied French, and received a master's degree from Trinity College. He also doodled. It was the doodles, and the unforgettable characters that emerged from them, that led him to his life's work as one of the finest creators of children's books of the twentieth century. In 2007, James Marshall was posthumously awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder medal for his lasting contribution to literature for children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is really good and funny., October 13, 1999

By 

Rebecca -6 years (Newcastle Upon Tyne, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends (Hardcover)

As a family we have read this book numerous times and love it. They are best friends. They are really funny when they are frightened.My sister aged 4 loves the stories and they are simple enough for me to read to her. Every child should read this book.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars George and Martha are the best, May 31, 2001

By 

Edward Aycock (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends (Hardcover)

I showed this book to a friend of mine when we were both graduate students. He rolled his eyes, but when I came back into the room after having stepped out for a moment, he was laughing at it. A co-worker of mine was looking for some book recommendations, and I suggested this one for his nieces and nephews. He told me he could not make it all the way through the book when he was reading it out loud to them because he was laughing so hard he was crying. Do I need to say anything else to persuade you to buy this book? George and Martha are two of the funniest children's book characters of all time, and James Marshall is a much missed genius of children's stories. Enjoy it. You may even find yourself reading it once the kids have gone to bed.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book in the whole entire world!!!!, January 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends (Hardcover)

As a second grade teacher I have read George and Martha to hundreds of seven and eight year olds. This book is about what true friendship really is. Knowing the stories by heart I sometimes double over laughing before I even read the page. When I ask, "Who's your teacher's favorite author?" Everyone responds, "James Marshall!!" This anthology was a true gift and one of my prized posessions. If I could have just one book on a desert island, this would be it.