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George and Martha
George and Martha Round and Round: Humorous Tales About Two Lovable Hippos for Children
More wonderful adventures of George and Martha, two lovable hippos with a strong friendship. One hippo's trash is another hippo's...cuckoo clock? George and Martha may be best friends, but that doesn't mean they like all the same things. The two hippos exercise both their imaginations and forgiveness as they deepen their bond of friendship in this addition to the classic children's series. 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, 1988
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 45 reviews
March 22, 2020
3* art
4* story
George and Martha. Oh my. James Marshall is a kind of poet, really. He can compress a story into the fewest sentences without losing an ounce of punchiness. We love these stories. Squirt doesn't laugh outright, but he smiles, and he's willing to read them because the chapters are so short and not intimidating.
4* story
George and Martha. Oh my. James Marshall is a kind of poet, really. He can compress a story into the fewest sentences without losing an ounce of punchiness. We love these stories. Squirt doesn't laugh outright, but he smiles, and he's willing to read them because the chapters are so short and not intimidating.
August 5, 2011
Another great George and Martha book... this one showing some funny events that are "trying to the friendship" but they continue to be the best of friends. I'd like to know where James Marshall gets his inspiration... the stories are so funny and I wonder if he has experienced similar situations in life.
February 22, 2009
Quite humorous! :-p Ah, the ups and downs of friendship.
February 25, 2008
Oh, how we love the George and Martha books! Friends that have minor spats that children can relate to, humorous adventures, and most of all, great fun and friendship.
March 23, 2011
Just can't pick of favorite out of this series.
November 28, 2017
George and Martha Round and Round is an endearing story that tells the story of the relationship of two hippos. The story is funny and would be perfect for a read aloud in any classroom but especially a first or second grade classroom. The text and the images are large and add even more humor to the stories. Their relationship is so funny, with George and Martha always bickering and getting on each others nerves but eventually forgiving each other. This book would be the perfect way to explain personification or at least explain that hippos cannot talk and communicate like they are doing here, by comparing it to a nonfiction book about hippos like Owen and Mzee. By comparing a nonfiction and fiction book both about hippos, the students can understand the main differences between the different genres and the similarities between how the hippos are described in both. The illustrations of hippo are hilarious and create an adorable image of George and Martha and their home. The book is divided into mini little "stories" or chapters that allows the reader to hear many different short stories. These help to keep young readers engaged and can also help to explain chronology or what happened first, like was the clock lost first or did Martha become an artist first? Overall their are so many different ways you could incorporate this book into the class in a fun and easy way.
May 13, 2023
Learning how to be friends? Decidedly an art!
Many readers adore these little vignettes about George and Martha. Goodreaders, you'll have to decide for youself how valuable these friendship lessons might be.
For example, what's the friendship lesson in Story Number Three, "The Artist"?
George is painting in oils. Martha is criticizing his work.
After George asks her to stop, Martha continues. When he storms off, Martha ruins George's painting.
Multiple choice here for what you think was being learned? Sure.
ROSE'S MULTIPLE CHOICE QUIZ ON THIS BOOK
A. Friends can treat each other with shocking rudeness, but that's okay. Because friendship is like a tattoo, impossible to wreck.
B. In life, the less sensitive friend always wins.
C. Never are there any consequences for spoiled-and-selfish behavior. Friendship means a free pass.
D. Nothing of value is being learned through this book about how to be a friend. Oops. Just the opposite.
MAKE YOUR CHOICE, GOODREADER
Meanwhile, I'll award this book FIVE STARS for making this Multiple Choice Quiz possible.
Many readers adore these little vignettes about George and Martha. Goodreaders, you'll have to decide for youself how valuable these friendship lessons might be.
For example, what's the friendship lesson in Story Number Three, "The Artist"?
George is painting in oils. Martha is criticizing his work.
After George asks her to stop, Martha continues. When he storms off, Martha ruins George's painting.
Multiple choice here for what you think was being learned? Sure.
ROSE'S MULTIPLE CHOICE QUIZ ON THIS BOOK
A. Friends can treat each other with shocking rudeness, but that's okay. Because friendship is like a tattoo, impossible to wreck.
B. In life, the less sensitive friend always wins.
C. Never are there any consequences for spoiled-and-selfish behavior. Friendship means a free pass.
D. Nothing of value is being learned through this book about how to be a friend. Oops. Just the opposite.
MAKE YOUR CHOICE, GOODREADER
Meanwhile, I'll award this book FIVE STARS for making this Multiple Choice Quiz possible.
January 1, 2018
And James Marshall does it again! The two lovable hippos come back for even more hilarious vignettes about their friendship. Each book of Marshall's is even better than the last--I absolutely love the simplicity and complexity that he appears to so easily communicate with each of his vignettes.
August 15, 2023
George gives Martha a cuckoo clock, but she humorously gifts it back to him. George says he is taking Martha on a cruise, but it does not live up to Martha's expectations. And George and Martha are very different artists.
August 30, 2017
August 2017 - I love that Ben thinks George and Martha are funny, even if he doesn't get every gag.
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May 7, 2021I feel this wasn't nearly as good as the original George and Martha book, but for a kid, probably still okay.
June 17, 2021
I thought it was boring 🤷🏻♀️
January 18, 2022
Five more vignettes featuring best friends George and Martha...with a focus on giving gifts, imagination, creating art, and summertime pranks.
Read
December 29, 2023Decidedly one of the better George & Martha’s I’ve read!
January 29, 2025
The fourth 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
some are definitely better than others. overall lots of fun.
Read
June 20, 2025cute, short, about friendship and getting on each other's nerves
October 15, 2025
pure elementary school nostalgia
November 23, 2025
Have loved George and Martha - artwork & stories - since the first read!
December 30, 2025
Stories were great but words like: interference, imagination, considerate, and laundry seem to be too hard.
September 27, 2015
This was definitely a lot less risque than the original book, as it was written in the late 1980s, versus the early 1970s for the original. Hence no inappropriate Peeping Toms...
This book had a lot of teasing between the two hippos, Martha and George. While my nephew is only four and probably did not understand most of it, it was amusing for me. I enjoyed how "The Surprise" ended months later, with Martha and the hose.
I did find "The Arist" a little mean, though. While I understand people (and hippos!) having different tastes in artwork, Martha did two things that made me unhappy. First, she kept telling George how he should "fix" his work of art. It's his/i> work of art, so no one can tell him how it should look except for George himself! Secondly, she painted over everything that he had painted! Poor George :( She did, however, take his criticism well, which was a positive.
I think Colten enjoyed this one less, but I think that was only because we read it right after we finished George And Martha, and his attention span was waning...I think he will enjoy it much more the next time that we read it!
This book had a lot of teasing between the two hippos, Martha and George. While my nephew is only four and probably did not understand most of it, it was amusing for me. I enjoyed how "The Surprise" ended months later, with Martha and the hose.
I did find "The Arist" a little mean, though. While I understand people (and hippos!) having different tastes in artwork, Martha did two things that made me unhappy. First, she kept telling George how he should "fix" his work of art. It's his/i> work of art, so no one can tell him how it should look except for George himself! Secondly, she painted over everything that he had painted! Poor George :( She did, however, take his criticism well, which was a positive.
I think Colten enjoyed this one less, but I think that was only because we read it right after we finished George And Martha, and his attention span was waning...I think he will enjoy it much more the next time that we read it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2024
George and Martha, the best of friends, are featured in five short stories. George gives Martha a cuckoo clock. It gets on her nerves so badly that she hides it in her laundry basket. George finds it, and Martha asks him if he wants to borrow it. George is delighted with the clock and Martha's generosity. George invites Martha on an ocean cruise. The boat is a raft. Martha is unimpressed. George tells her to use her imagination. It starts to rain, and George tells Martha to think of it as a thrilling storm at sea. Then she turns the tables on George and imagines a shark. Martha makes improvements to George's painting. He takes her up to his attic and scares her into a bad case of goose bumps. One day George sprays Martha with water as a joke. Martha is so upset that she refuses to talk to him but all day she sees and hears things that remind her of George. She forgives him and they become friends again.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
December 28, 2012
5 tales about a pair of hippos who are the dearest of friends but don’t always see eye to eye.
The Clock—George gives Martha a cuckoo clock. Martha is less than thrilled with the gift and lets George “borrow” it.
The Trip—George and Martha take a boat trip that requires both of them to use their imagination.
The Artist—George paints a picture that Martha tries to improve upon.
The Attic—Martha tries to frighten George but ends up scaring herself.
The Surprise—The friends aren’t on speaking terms due to a trick George played on Martha. They make up in the end, but revenge is sweet.
Funny, short stories with simple drawings colored with watercolors that excel at representing a wide range of facial expressions with the simplest of details.
The Clock—George gives Martha a cuckoo clock. Martha is less than thrilled with the gift and lets George “borrow” it.
The Trip—George and Martha take a boat trip that requires both of them to use their imagination.
The Artist—George paints a picture that Martha tries to improve upon.
The Attic—Martha tries to frighten George but ends up scaring herself.
The Surprise—The friends aren’t on speaking terms due to a trick George played on Martha. They make up in the end, but revenge is sweet.
Funny, short stories with simple drawings colored with watercolors that excel at representing a wide range of facial expressions with the simplest of details.
April 7, 2014
Rediscovering Old Favorites with My Kids James Marshall's George and Martha stories were some of my favorite read-aloud books when I was a kid (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth). I thought the idea of pouring split pea soup into one's loafers was hilarious, and I loved the way Martha got revenge on George for violating her privacy in the bathtub. Now, I am delighted to find that these stories are truly timeless, and my little boys (1 and 3) love them as much as I did.
June 17, 2016
We've read two of the George and Martha books now, and I remain unimpressed by the depiction of their friendship. While they do show a normal tendency to get upset and remain friends, they don't make up through apologizing and forgiveness, rather sometimes even fooling the other into keeping a good opinion. I'd much rather my toddlers learn about friendship through Frog and Toad, who verbally acknowledge mistakes and sacrifice time and energy for one another.
October 25, 2015
A pleasant end to the series as bound in this collection. The stories are just a little bit better than expected, a little simpler, a little less moralizing. And yet not being the target audience they somewhat miss their mark. Martha is not quite as good in this one but the book still works. 3.5 of 5.
September 20, 2012
Max read the George and Martha books when he was little and saw them when we were at the library today. I checked a couple out and loved them! They are so cute and I want to remember them to share with our future kiddos. :)
June 27, 2014
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
we skip 'The Attic' which is creepy
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
we skip 'The Attic' which is creepy
November 9, 2014
George and Martha are dear friends and James Marshall makes the relationship work for all its worth. This is a great book for lower level readers to practice using pictures and textual clues to infer actions and feelings.
440L
440L
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews