George and Martha [Hardcover]

James Marshall (Author), Maurice Sendak (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 1972 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: George and Martha

Two lovable hippos teach the meaning of friendship in five separate vignettes: "Split Pea Soup," "The Flying Machine," "The Tub," "The Mirror," "The Tooth."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The secret of Mr. Marshall's success lies not just in the freshness of his sense of the ridiculous, but in the carefulness of his control and editorial judgment." The New York Times

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.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company (September 9, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395166195
• ISBN-13: 978-0395166192
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Mammals

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

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting in a very very very very good way, December 19, 2001

By 

A 12-year old reader (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George and Martha (Paperback)

This is a terrific book for anybody, even though its marketed as a young children's book. I love this book, (and I'm 12) and my parents and older sister, (who pretends not to) do too. This book chronicles the stories of two best friends, who just so happen to be hippos. They relate moral messages, but in a far from preachy way. The illustrations are colorful and the two hippos are shown as cute and cuddly. (awwww.... they sell these really cute George and Martha dolls somewhere) In short this is a great book for anybody. So read it!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's important to sample new products" (Martha), May 16, 2000

By 

Alan R. Holyoak - See all my reviews

This review is from: George and Martha (Paperback)

George and Martha, two hippos who are best friends have amazing adventures in this easy to read, fun to experience set of short tales.

I think, no, I'm sure that my wife likes this book more than our children do, and our children love it. There are now several quotes from this book that have become common place at our home.

One is, "It's important to sample new products."

Try this book, you'll enjoy it thoroughly. The art work appears simple, but it's appropriately wonderful to the tone and stories of these two good friends.

5 stars, no question about it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God Save George and Martha!, March 5, 2002

By 

A. Y. Smittle (Winchester, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: George and Martha (Paperback)

These are great tales of friendship--even for beginners, like my 4 yr old preschool class. They love all the little stories. A few go over their heads, but they get the concept of the humor and companionship represented by these sweet, lovable, sometimes mischevious and selfish hippos. I've tried reading them the other George and Martha books, but this is their favorite. Gosh, thank God for James Marshall and his inventions!
(We have an old copy---the kids love the "pink cookies" Martha offers George instead of pea soup!)
Sampling:
George doesnt want to eat Marthas pea soup, so he pours it in his shoes
George knocks out his favorite tooth. Which is your favorite tooth?
George gets tired of Martha looking at herself in the mirror all the time; she even wakes up in the middle of the nite to do it. So he pastes a silly picture of her on her mirror....
There are George and Martha stuffed animals out there, too.
Any relation to George and Martha Washington?