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George and Martha
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."
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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 210 reviews
July 31, 2018
James Marshall pens five short pieces about two hippos who are the best of friends: George and Martha.
- Split Pea Soup: George attends lunch with Martha every day and on each occasion split pea soup is on the menu. George soon tires of this and thinks he is being sly by hiding the soup away. However, Martha sees him and has a lesson that George will not soon forget.
- The Flying Machine: George has a chance to ride in a hot air balloon, but things do not seem to 'get off the ground'. He makes an elaborate change, which takes the ride to new heights, all while Martha offers him some heartwarming advice.
- The Tub: George fancies himself as a Peeper of sorts, but when he finds Martha in the tub, there is a lesson to be learned that will benefit them both.
- The Mirror: Martha seems to have found her vain streak and looks in the mirror whenever she can. George crafts a way to curb this, as sneaky as it might be.
- The Tooth: George has a dental accident on his way to see Martha. Trying to cope, Martha encourages George to go see the dentist. There, a solution is found and George is glowing in no time.
Neo enjoyed these five pieces about hippos, particularly those who are the best of friends. Written many years ago, they still make him laugh and perhaps your young reader will like them too.
- Split Pea Soup: George attends lunch with Martha every day and on each occasion split pea soup is on the menu. George soon tires of this and thinks he is being sly by hiding the soup away. However, Martha sees him and has a lesson that George will not soon forget.
- The Flying Machine: George has a chance to ride in a hot air balloon, but things do not seem to 'get off the ground'. He makes an elaborate change, which takes the ride to new heights, all while Martha offers him some heartwarming advice.
- The Tub: George fancies himself as a Peeper of sorts, but when he finds Martha in the tub, there is a lesson to be learned that will benefit them both.
- The Mirror: Martha seems to have found her vain streak and looks in the mirror whenever she can. George crafts a way to curb this, as sneaky as it might be.
- The Tooth: George has a dental accident on his way to see Martha. Trying to cope, Martha encourages George to go see the dentist. There, a solution is found and George is glowing in no time.
Neo enjoyed these five pieces about hippos, particularly those who are the best of friends. Written many years ago, they still make him laugh and perhaps your young reader will like them too.
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June 25, 2016cw: calling out sexism and sexually predatory behavior in a children's book
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I liked this book as a kid, but one of the stories -- "The Mirror" -- always really bothered me. This is a story in which Martha, a hippopotamus, loves to look at herself in the mirror; George (also a hippopotamus) plays a trick on her to get her to stop doing that, and the moral of the story is supposed to be that she deserved it because she shouldn't have been so vain. I'm currently involved in a group reading of the book Mirror Mirror Off The Wall, which refers to that story, and so I felt like I wanted to go back and read this book and see if my memory of the story matched my reaction to how it's discussed in the book I'm reading now. In Mirror Mirror Off The Wall, the author uses this story to make the point that looking in the mirror too much is a negative thing, which is central to that author's personal story and I completely support her personal journey with her own mirror habits. However, the story itself still bothers me a lot. Why should Martha feel like she can't enjoy looking at her own reflection? Why is it any of George's damn business? I note that the previous story, "The Tub", is about how George likes to peek in windows, and Martha gets mad at him because he is peeking in on her WHILE SHE IS TAKING A BATH. What the actual fuck? He's allowed to violate her privacy and look at her in the bath, but then he gets to turn around and shame her for looking at HERSELF in the mirror? HELL. NO.
Go eat some pea soup out of your own loafers, George.
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I liked this book as a kid, but one of the stories -- "The Mirror" -- always really bothered me. This is a story in which Martha, a hippopotamus, loves to look at herself in the mirror; George (also a hippopotamus) plays a trick on her to get her to stop doing that, and the moral of the story is supposed to be that she deserved it because she shouldn't have been so vain. I'm currently involved in a group reading of the book Mirror Mirror Off The Wall, which refers to that story, and so I felt like I wanted to go back and read this book and see if my memory of the story matched my reaction to how it's discussed in the book I'm reading now. In Mirror Mirror Off The Wall, the author uses this story to make the point that looking in the mirror too much is a negative thing, which is central to that author's personal story and I completely support her personal journey with her own mirror habits. However, the story itself still bothers me a lot. Why should Martha feel like she can't enjoy looking at her own reflection? Why is it any of George's damn business? I note that the previous story, "The Tub", is about how George likes to peek in windows, and Martha gets mad at him because he is peeking in on her WHILE SHE IS TAKING A BATH. What the actual fuck? He's allowed to violate her privacy and look at her in the bath, but then he gets to turn around and shame her for looking at HERSELF in the mirror? HELL. NO.
Go eat some pea soup out of your own loafers, George.
October 16, 2016
Is there something in the George and Martha series that reminds me of a comic strip. Each of the three or four pages of the story seems like a box in a comic strip.
November 3, 2015
Who doesn't love George and Martha?! I loved this book as a child and have read this many times to my own.
January 30, 2024
Same, Martha.
January 31, 2024
George <<< Martha
January 30, 2024
One thought from each story
1. Split Pea Soup: I would also pour my soup into my loafers if I was on my 11th bowl
2. The Flying Machine: Martha… hippo 🦛 or snake 🐍?
3. The Tub: George is a peeping Tom!
4. The Mirror: George gaslighting her!
5. The Tooth: Martha a flirt?
I’ve decided I think George doesn’t deserve Martha’s friendship, she should drop his ass
1. Split Pea Soup: I would also pour my soup into my loafers if I was on my 11th bowl
2. The Flying Machine: Martha… hippo 🦛 or snake 🐍?
3. The Tub: George is a peeping Tom!
4. The Mirror: George gaslighting her!
5. The Tooth: Martha a flirt?
I’ve decided I think George doesn’t deserve Martha’s friendship, she should drop his ass
April 19, 2022
What a wonderful trip down memory lane!
I had this book as a child, even though it came out way before my time and I treasured it so much!
Did anyone else have this one when they were little!?
I also screeched when I found out that There.Are.More.of them! Must have them all!!!!
I remember George and Martha as a couple though🧐🤔…
4 ⭐️!
I had this book as a child, even though it came out way before my time and I treasured it so much!
Did anyone else have this one when they were little!?
I also screeched when I found out that There.Are.More.of them! Must have them all!!!!
I remember George and Martha as a couple though🧐🤔…
4 ⭐️!
July 28, 2018
Dear and silly, these two hippos are quite the comical duo. But you can learn some valuable lessons from them too. Like not putting split pea soup in your shoe and telling friends the truth. Two of my favorite characters!
Each book usually contains five short stories. Short. Very short. But oh so fun!
Ages: 3 - 8
Cleanliness: one odd story has George peeking into the window when Martha is taking a bath.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Each book usually contains five short stories. Short. Very short. But oh so fun!
Ages: 3 - 8
Cleanliness: one odd story has George peeking into the window when Martha is taking a bath.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
December 20, 2017
The book is five extremely short stories about two good friends - George and Martha. It’s a decent book, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it for someone
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March 24, 2026Childhood favorite not good enough for my child.
October 28, 2015
George and Martha are "friends" that learn a lot from each other. That cheeky George learns not to be a peeping Tom from Martha, too. What are friends for, right?
September 24, 2015
George and Martha is an old favorite for me and is a new favorite for my three year old daughter as well. George and Martha are two great friends who have some quirky stories and adventures. Children will love reading these silly stories and also understand the power of friendship. I would read this to my students or just have the books available in the classroom library for personal reading. I could see this book turning into a fun writing prompt to have the students write their own George and Martha story.
April 18, 2011
The other day I was intensely aware of the corruption in the world, and so searching for something pure and true, I dug through my favorite childhood books and was delighted to find James Marshall's George and Martha. I'd somehow forgotten about these two lovable buffoons. I have to admit that I sat and read this three times in a row, with a hugs smile on my face.
Thank you Mr. Marshall for reminding me of the beauty of simplicity.
Thank you Mr. Marshall for reminding me of the beauty of simplicity.
May 24, 2009
George and Martha inspired me to write my own book about hippos when I was in third grade. It involved the underground railroad (which I thought was literally a railroad reached by trapdoor) and a claw-foot bathtub.
September 27, 2021
Five short stories scenes about a boy and girl hippo that are best friends. The third story, The Tub was a bit spicy as it involves George being a peeping Tom and seeing Martha in the bathtub, but the lesson that it is wrong to do is learned in the end.
Perhaps a bit dated, especially the illustrations, but kids will still find it enjoyable.
Perhaps a bit dated, especially the illustrations, but kids will still find it enjoyable.
October 3, 2023
Children's Picture Books
Published in the 70's.
This is a picture book told in 5 different short stories about two hippo friends named George and Martha.
*There is one kind of disturbing short story where George peeks through Martha's window while she is taking a bath. Rather outdated 'humor' if it was ever considered that.
Published in the 70's.
This is a picture book told in 5 different short stories about two hippo friends named George and Martha.
*There is one kind of disturbing short story where George peeks through Martha's window while she is taking a bath. Rather outdated 'humor' if it was ever considered that.
June 21, 2020
I had a different picture book from this George and Martha series as a kid, so I decided to look up the author and check out one of his others books from the library. I really love the very 60's color pallet of these books. Beyond that it definitely just hits the nostalgia button for me.
March 15, 2025
George and Martha are great friends who tell each other the truth and appreciate one another.
November 1, 2018
This was so cute. I love how it ended how it started with the little moral that "friends tell the truth." A great example of applying what one has learned and seeing on the bright side.
picture-books
February 20, 2016Target audience: 3-7
George and Martha is a picture book containing five vignettes about a friendly pair of hippos. Each vignette is very short and stands alone. The five stories are Split Pea Soup, The Flying Machine, The Tub, The Mirror, and The Tooth.
Strengths:
-Simple, unbusy illustrations
-Very short vignettes that still convey a story and message.
Weaknesses:
-The 1970s minimalist color scheme looks very dull and boring today
-Outdated vocabulary that might be hard for a modern child to understand
-Situations that may have been humorous in the 1970s may be inappropriate for a children’s book today
George and Martha is not about the founding father and his wife, but instead about a couple of hippos who are friends. I found it cute, but a little outdated for today. The illustrations use only a handful of colors, like pea soup green and tomato soup red, which may have been appealing forty years ago, but look pretty drab today. I thought a few of the vignettes were a little inappropriate. In one vignette George peeks on Martha in the bathtub and Martha responds by throwing a bathtub at him. I think a number of parents would object to the peaking and cartoon violence. In another vignette, George makes fun of Martha for looking at herself in the mirror so often, which I found somewhat sexist. The text itself is a little complex and best-suited for a read-aloud, but certain vocabulary choices and turns-of-phrase seem outdated and may impede understanding for today’s young children. George and Martha is not a bad book, but I would choose more modern picture books to use with young children today instead.
George and Martha is a picture book containing five vignettes about a friendly pair of hippos. Each vignette is very short and stands alone. The five stories are Split Pea Soup, The Flying Machine, The Tub, The Mirror, and The Tooth.
Strengths:
-Simple, unbusy illustrations
-Very short vignettes that still convey a story and message.
Weaknesses:
-The 1970s minimalist color scheme looks very dull and boring today
-Outdated vocabulary that might be hard for a modern child to understand
-Situations that may have been humorous in the 1970s may be inappropriate for a children’s book today
George and Martha is not about the founding father and his wife, but instead about a couple of hippos who are friends. I found it cute, but a little outdated for today. The illustrations use only a handful of colors, like pea soup green and tomato soup red, which may have been appealing forty years ago, but look pretty drab today. I thought a few of the vignettes were a little inappropriate. In one vignette George peeks on Martha in the bathtub and Martha responds by throwing a bathtub at him. I think a number of parents would object to the peaking and cartoon violence. In another vignette, George makes fun of Martha for looking at herself in the mirror so often, which I found somewhat sexist. The text itself is a little complex and best-suited for a read-aloud, but certain vocabulary choices and turns-of-phrase seem outdated and may impede understanding for today’s young children. George and Martha is not a bad book, but I would choose more modern picture books to use with young children today instead.
February 1, 2016
I watched an awful lot of George and Martha on tv when my kids were little, never once suspecting there was a book in the background. But good things come to those who wait and this book showed up at a perfect time. It's a set of four funny stories about friendship and honesty with just two characters.
Then it gets interesting. But probably only if you are a teacher of young children. Here's how I used this book with great effect in my Year 1/2 classroom . . .
Firstly I'm really keen on stories where there's conflict up front, for use as a model text for narrative writing. Children are much more likely to know where they are headed in their own writing if there's a problem to be solved at the outset. I also noticed strong links between the first story 'Split pea soup' and the social/emotional work about honesty and feelings we were doing in class at the time. Additionally a colleague pointed out that the names George and Martha are also well known Americans, which had slipped me by for about fifteen years or so! Somehow we managed to pull all these elements together and students worked in groups to create humorous stories of their own.
Thanks James Marshall - your books keep on giving and we got great mileage out of George and Martha so far, and we all learnt what a loafer is.
Then it gets interesting. But probably only if you are a teacher of young children. Here's how I used this book with great effect in my Year 1/2 classroom . . .
Firstly I'm really keen on stories where there's conflict up front, for use as a model text for narrative writing. Children are much more likely to know where they are headed in their own writing if there's a problem to be solved at the outset. I also noticed strong links between the first story 'Split pea soup' and the social/emotional work about honesty and feelings we were doing in class at the time. Additionally a colleague pointed out that the names George and Martha are also well known Americans, which had slipped me by for about fifteen years or so! Somehow we managed to pull all these elements together and students worked in groups to create humorous stories of their own.
Thanks James Marshall - your books keep on giving and we got great mileage out of George and Martha so far, and we all learnt what a loafer is.
September 27, 2015
I always loved this series growing up. Now, however, I am looking at it through more mature and knowledgeable eyes. While I still absolutely love George and Martha, I was a little surprised at some of the content! Most of the stories were okay, but "The Tub"... that was inappropriate!! But, at the same time, I guess little ones have to learn about Peeping Toms sooner or later...better have it be with a loved one reading this story! Not something that I knew how to explain to my nephew, though...I'll leave that to his parents!
Overall we enjoyed all of the stories!! I'm hoping that it will become a favorite of his :)
Overall we enjoyed all of the stories!! I'm hoping that it will become a favorite of his :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2011
The power of friendship is always something that everyone should learn about and cherish. A good way for a person to learn about this is through this book. I like how the book doesn’t teach friendship by some serious and overly dramatic way, but as a humorous and often times goofy. This tone of happiness also shows in its illustration. The colors which seem to be crayoned have an upbeat feel as well as the characters portraits of gigantic hippos with equally gigantic teeth. I highly recommend telling kids reading this book not just because of its lesson, but because it’s just really good.
October 6, 2011
I really liked reading George and Martha, and thought it was a wonderful inspiring book, that little kids would enjoy. It would be a great book to read to a class because it would help teach kids about the bonding of friendships and especially learning the golden rule "Treat others the way you want to be treated." I think a great activity to do with this book would be having the kids think of ways that you good be a good friend to someone and write a story about an adventure you took with this friend.
April 25, 2011
This is a great friendship book. Sometimes, friends need space. It's okay for friends to want space and it's okay for friends to want to do other things. Sometimes young kids forget these things and they panic the first time someone says they don't want to hang out with them for the day. This would be a good book for the students to read who are going through friend troubles or friends who are in a fight!
December 21, 2011
I love this series. I told the librarian the other day that George and Martha should be marriage counselors. One of my favorite lines is, "And Martha didn't say a word." This after she jumped off the dreaded high dive to save George's self-respect. I love George's gold tooth (the original was lost in a roller skating accident) and the flower Martha wears behind her ear. My kind of humor, and even my kids get it.
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.
April 7, 2009
Always be honest with your friends.
Sometimes friends can be selfish, or have their own best intrests in mind.
Friends need privacy.
Dont be self-centered...it annoys your friends.
Always be kind to your friends.
I remember just loving this as a kid...no particular reason...
Sometimes friends can be selfish, or have their own best intrests in mind.
Friends need privacy.
Dont be self-centered...it annoys your friends.
Always be kind to your friends.
I remember just loving this as a kid...no particular reason...
February 27, 2014
Laugh out loud funny-I can't believe I haven't read these...or maybe I was just too little to remember them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews