The Cut-Ups Carry On

The Cut-ups

by James Marshall

When their mothers decide that the Cut-Ups need dancing lessons, Spud and Joe find themselves at Wes and Wanda's Ballroom Dancing Studio. By the author of The Cut-Ups Cut Loose. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

James 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.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spud and Joe are being forced to take dance classes. They're pretty miserable until they find out about a big talent contest with a spectacular prize for the winner. All of a sudden, dancing doesn't seem like such a bad idea. This one made me laugh out loud, though sadly, Marshall's appeal to the young'uns doesn't seem as strong as it once was: the book hasn't been checked out in over five years. We're withdrawing it, and putting it in our book sale. Hopefully the new owner will love reading it as much as I did.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spud Jenkins and Joe Turner, find themselves enrolled in dance class by their mothers. They are not thrilled at all, until they hear about a big talent contest with first prize being a lunar walker. With a little help from their mothers, they prepare for the contest, and try to win the contest, and the lunar walker.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spud and Joe's moms sign them up for dance lessons! They are far from thrilled about it until they hear about the prizes for the big talent show. By story's end one of the cut-ups is trying to pass as a girl, which is hard to do when Spurgle, who never forgets a face, is around.

The more I read about Spud and Joe, the more they remind me of Drake & Josh.