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George and Martha
George and Martha Back in Town
The humorous hippos are back in town, discovering that there can be growth in even the best of friendships. Best friends George and Martha are back at their usual lively adventures, learning (along with young readers) that there are many ways to spend a good day with a friend. A man with a talent for friendship, James Marshall defined its very essence in his stories about the world’s two best friends. Each of these five brief tales is filled with humor, and James Marshall’s drawings are guaranteed to spark feelings of empathy, delight, and self-recognition.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 1, 2018
Oh my god, I just love George and Martha so much. Unfortunately, my library only had five of the seven books in this series, so this one is going to have to hold me over until I can find the other two elsewhere. Again, like I've been saying for my past reviews about the George and Martha books, James Marshall is just incredible. I love how George and Martha become more and more fleshed out as this series develops, and I love Marshall's wit as he discusses their friendship. It's just a great reflection of friendship in general.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
October 11, 2018
This book accurately portrays the struggles and successes that come with friendships. The story shows how friends enjoy joking with each other and how they learn important lessons from one another. It is important to show children that we won't always get along with each other. However, we must try to understand things form their point of view. The last section of this book clearly demonstrates this in a kind-friendly way. I would recommend this book!
March 5, 2024
Short, easy-to-read stories about the friendship of George and Martha. Amongst the fun and games are valuable lessons about how to treat your friends and others.
Marshall's pictures are so well composed.
Marshall's pictures are so well composed.
January 30, 2025
The seventh and final book about George and Martha, two hippos who are friends. Through five vignettes, this picture book imparts lessons on friendship. A delightful book with a wonderful sense of humor.
April 29, 2025
the story about the cake and the pranks was super cute and funny. very sweet, innocent friendships but also realistic. might be nice if the stories were more developed but they're good for preschoolers.
December 22, 2017
Five short George and Martha stories.
February 22, 2019
Just love this sense of humor. George loved playing tricks on Martha, so he gives he a box that says "don't open" Of course she does, but she gets him back and good.
January 1, 2022
One of my absolute favorites from childhood and a delight to read to Addison!
January 18, 2022
The humorous friendship adventures of George and Martha continue...with a focus on having a job, playing tricks on one another, visiting the pool, and sharing stories.
May 18, 2022
I like the short little morals.
September 24, 2024
Most of the stories don’t even have a proper ending. I kept thinking after all the stories there was going to be a story that pulled them together. But, nope.
Read
June 20, 2025super short stories on friendship
October 10, 2025
Genius. I want to be George and Martha. This familiar, this cared for, this tricky, this cozy.
Read
October 14, 2025read for class
January 9, 2013
5 stories about friend who are hippos
The Box--Nosy Martha peeks in a box and spends an afternoon picking up Mexican jumping beans.
The High Board--When George chickens out on the high board, Martha makes the dive instead which cause a big enough splash for George to climb back down the ladder unnoticed.
The Trick--George and Martha play silly tricks on each other.
The Job--Martha makes George's job as a lifeguard more difficult than he expected.
The Book--George is bothered by Martha while reading a book, but in the end both friends benefit from some quiet time spent together.
Some interesting stories in this volume with some different pictures. Some of the illustrations were broken up into scenes which made the picture read like a comic book. I really liked that the ocean was green in the scenes at the beach, definitely a cool use of the color palette.
The Box--Nosy Martha peeks in a box and spends an afternoon picking up Mexican jumping beans.
The High Board--When George chickens out on the high board, Martha makes the dive instead which cause a big enough splash for George to climb back down the ladder unnoticed.
The Trick--George and Martha play silly tricks on each other.
The Job--Martha makes George's job as a lifeguard more difficult than he expected.
The Book--George is bothered by Martha while reading a book, but in the end both friends benefit from some quiet time spent together.
Some interesting stories in this volume with some different pictures. Some of the illustrations were broken up into scenes which made the picture read like a comic book. I really liked that the ocean was green in the scenes at the beach, definitely a cool use of the color palette.
February 21, 2012
The Box: Will Martha give in to the temptation to snoop?
The High Board: Actions speak louder than words, and Martha knows when to keep quiet.
The Trick: George can’t resist playing tricks on Martha. But guess who has some tricks of her own up her sleeve?
The Job: George follows Martha’s excellent advice, and Martha doesn’t like it one little bit.
The Book: Martha’s fidgeting is distinctly annoying. But things are not always as they seem.
The High Board: Actions speak louder than words, and Martha knows when to keep quiet.
The Trick: George can’t resist playing tricks on Martha. But guess who has some tricks of her own up her sleeve?
The Job: George follows Martha’s excellent advice, and Martha doesn’t like it one little bit.
The Book: Martha’s fidgeting is distinctly annoying. But things are not always as they seem.
July 3, 2017
More fun from George and Martha! I had forgotten about these wonderful books when my preschooler randomly picked one at the library. We've all been enjoying them. I like how some stories are just fun, some show how to be a good friend, some have a subtle moral, and some have a clear moral. And it is all done in a light manner so you don't feel moralized at.
August 28, 2015
Still good. But the thrill is gone. I guess I'm not quite the target audience. Still the art and text is good. And they are certainly silly enough for kids and interesting enough for adults. 3.5 of 5.
January 20, 2009
I love George and Martha. This one is pretty good, but you can't go wrong with any of these stories!
August 1, 2010
The George and Martha stories are just FUNNY. They're great early chapter books, and my nieces love them, and that's pretty much all I ask for.
August 26, 2013
Reread Aug 2013.
January 18, 2019
Notes:
frog-and-toad-style stories but very unique
best for age 6+ not pre-K
friendship messages and humor without moralizing
love the simple illustrations and text
frog-and-toad-style stories but very unique
best for age 6+ not pre-K
friendship messages and humor without moralizing
love the simple illustrations and text
January 8, 2015
The stories were too short and didn't seem to have an actual ending. Nice pictures though...
August 20, 2015
More tales of two chums palling around. Add to your classics shelf.
August 21, 2015
not as funny as I recall from childhood
November 5, 2016
This is a fun and short little book! It shows a lot of pictures and surprises throughout the book!
January 2, 2017
Classic. Wry and fun
April 17, 2019
This was a super cute book that has several different short story's in it about these two best friends! Me and my 5 year old sister really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews