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The Guest
One rainy afternoon while Mona was practicing her scales, she had the oddest feeling. . . . Then Mona saw the little stranger.
So begins this strange and happy friendship between two very unlikely compatriots.
So begins this strange and happy friendship between two very unlikely compatriots.
- GenresPicture Books
48 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1975
About the author
James Marshall
152 books145 followersJames Edward Marshall (October 10, 1942 – October 13, 1992), who also wrote as Edward Marshall, was a children's author and illustrator.
His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.
It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.
In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.
His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.
It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.
In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 18, 2025
okay so wait. you're telling me that a snan (snail man) shows up, and mona-- a kind, independent moose with her life together-- takes him in and becomes emotionally attached, only for maurice to leave with NO warning, leaving her in turmoil, only to show up again with TWENTY SNILDREN (SNAIL CHILDREN)??? AND THEY'RE ALL JUST GONNA MOVE IN WITH NO WARNING??? NO REPRIMAND??? and why did maurice just abandon his TWENTY CHILDREN in the first place??? where were they??? girl he is going to leave you with his twenty kids and bail. i don't trust him in the slightest
February 20, 2020
Mona Moose befriends Maurice Snail, and a most unique friendship develops. One day Maurice goes missing, and Mona is beside herself with grief. What could have happened, and where could Maurice have disappeared to?
August 13, 2025
An unexpected delight! The pictures help tell the story and made me smile.
January 9, 2013
Mona is surprised when Maurice the snail pays her a visit. The two find they have much in common and quickly become friends. When Maurice turns up missing one day Mona is upset by his absence, that is until he returns with another surprise.
Illustrations are colored in a cheerful palette of green, yellow, pink, and gray. In one word, this story is just charming.
Illustrations are colored in a cheerful palette of green, yellow, pink, and gray. In one word, this story is just charming.
March 25, 2025
Better than Camus?
December 19, 2014
quirky in a cute way
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews