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Summary
Summary
Five vignettes continue the adventures of George and Martha, the two lovable hippos and their strong friendship.
Author Notes
James Marshall (1942#150;1992) created dozens of exuberant and captivating books for children, including The Stupids, Miss Nelson Is Missing!, and the ever-popular George and Martha books. Before creating his canon of classic, hilarious children's books, James Marshall played the viola, studied French, and received a master's degree from Trinity College. He also doodled. It was the doodles, and the unforgettable characters that emerged from them, that led him to his life's work as one of the finest creators of children's books of the twentieth century. In 2007, James Marshall was posthumously awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder medal for his lasting contribution to literature for children.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2 Marshall's lovable lumpy buck-toothed hippos are back in their seventh round of adventures that would strain any friendship. A promised ocean cruise that is really a trip on a raft in the rain becomes turn about's fair play in one episode; a criticism of artistic talent shows what happens when the shoe's on the other foot in another. An unappreciated gift is tactfully reunited with its donor; and a scarey story backfires. Finally, a friendship in trouble is rekindled, but not without a wry twist that kids will love. The spare text, a treat for beginning readers or for sharing with pre-readers, perfectly matches the deceptively simple illustrations, which glow with humor and affection. Background detail is minimal, keeping George and Martha always on center stage. The muted colors are in keeping with the gentle stories, right on target for young children who are just beginning to learn about friendship, with its trials and rewards. All five stories are laced with wisdom, bound together with understated humor, and sure to provoke belly laughs from all but the most dour of youngsters. Trev Jones, ``School Library Journal'' (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
George and Martha, best friends and co-stars of many stories, are back in this seventh sparkling collection. Martha's ear is too sensitive to take the incessant noise of George's gift of a cuckoo clock (so she gladly ``lends'' it back to him). They urge one another to use their imaginations to turn an ordinary rafting trip into an extraordinary one, attempt tolerance for one another's artistic efforts, scare each other with visions of ghosts and vampires in the attic, prepare for revenge after an innocent drenching with the garden hose, and forgive and forget shortcomings with humor and compassion. Their semi-snarling, semi-sentimental love for each other makes every episode a treat; their fans will warmly welcome this book. Ages 4-8. (October) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Five more stories explore the vicissitudes of an excellent friendship between two strong-minded hippopotamuses who often Crud themselves at odds but always summon the tact to avoid hurting each other's feelings--and also indulge in enough tit-for-tat to let each other know how they feel, and to keep the laughs coming. When George gives Martha a noisy clock, she manages to lend it back to him without detracting an iota from its worth; honest critics, they are also outspoken about each other's paintings; and when George finally does the unforgivable (squirts her with a hose), she forgives him anyway, because she misses him (she also gets him with the hose, later). In this eighth book about the pair--just as fresh and original as the first--Marshall's illustrations are as wonderful, witty, and wise as his text. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Ages 4-7. Fans of the two well-loved hippos will welcome them back in these five new stories. In one, George gives Martha a cuckoo clock for her birthday, but its noise drives her to hide it in her laundry basket; when George discovers it, Martha offers to let him ``borrow'' the clock; he places it on his wall and thoroughly enjoys it. In others, Martha learns it is best not to comment on her friend's artistic ability, and George finds out that practical jokes are not always funny. As with the previous books, this small gem offers subtle thoughts about friendship and relationships. George and Martha themselves, humorously drawn in soft, soothing colors, are just as endearing and enduring as ever. IC.