George and Martha: One Fine Day

George and Martha

by James Marshall

Great friends aren't hard to find—they're right here! Using original art and text from James Marshall's storybooks, the tales are now available in a 6 x 9 reader format with a bright new cover. Readers will delight in the award-winning classic tales of George and Martha—two beloved, wise, and hilarious hippos!

Story Number The Tightrope
George and Martha learn about self-confidence.

Story Number The Diary
Martha has a hard time writing in her diary with George lurking around.

Story Number The Icky Story
George shares an icky story with Martha but has a hard time when Martha shares a story of her own.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Friendship, Animals, Short Stories

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 1978

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

[Clio Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Allison]

Stories about best friends playing jokes on each other. It may be nice to share one of the five stories, then discuss about issues such as reading someone else’s diary or telling an “icky story” while eating.
Maker prompt: design a game that Martha and George would enjoy doing together.

[JD Waggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure some of my friends and I are like this to each other, which I can't say much recommends us as friends. George seems like kind of a punk and Martha is sly AF, so mad props to her.

I remember loving this book as a kid, but it's kinda weird as an adult. Pranking each other and spying on each other and being slightly mean to each other is just an odd thing to teach kids about how to be friends.

But totally true. Like I said, George and Martha are not that far off from reality. (Also, cute illustrations.)

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stories about two best friends (and fellow hippos) George and Martha? Sure.

Somehow these are deemed to work well for readers of picture books.

"The Icky Story" is a kind of showdown over bad manners.

Once again, I'll award FIVE STARS to these cute little cartoon-like versions of book chapters... in a picture book.

Will these chapters make much sense to the kids? Maybe not. The charm eludes me, for sure.

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this several times and the more I read it, the more I grew to like it. I love the subtle interactions between these characters that you would think children would not understand, but Marcos understood and found them as delightful and endearing as I did. It's obvious that they are two friends who enjoy spending time together and do annoying, funny things like invade each other's spice, tell gross stories, and scare each other. Although Martha always gets the upper hand of course.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny tongue in cheek kind of humor. This is a story about two hippos so it is surprising that Martha is doing tightrope walking. She is doing well until George voices his worry. To make her stronger and to come out of it alive and unhurt, he rebuilds her confidence. I thought the diary one is so funny. "No, " says Martha. She is not taking any guff.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grade Level: 1-2


"George and Martha One Fine Day," by James Marshall is a great book for beginning readers. Its a very simple read that will help encourage new readers to continue. These books are a great addition to any early elementary classroom.

[Brianna Krum]

George and Martha are best friends who support each other and what they do. I would use this book if a couple of students were struggling with friendships or needed some help with making friends. We would do an activity where we practice making friendships.

[Junior Bodden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story about a hippo named George is about a 5 stories about on George just trying new things and having trouble concentrating on the things that Martha wants him to do. How I can teach this into the classroom is by having the students create a story and then share with the class

[Breyanna Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about George and Martha encountering different activities as best friends. They go on many adventures and encourage each other.

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great illustrations. One thing I really enjoy is that this book is split up into 5 different stories. They way the illustrations are colored I feel as if they jump off the page!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious.

[Erica Flory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love James Marshall 's books

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book as a kid. Pure nostalgia for me.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories with simple morals.

[Micah Resnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge is a dish best served cold

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ostensibly three stories, they are all such short stories that it is hard to call them that. I like the abruptness though. Children should relate to their issues.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another excellent book in the George and Martha series with expressive illustrations and cute lessons.

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five additional vignettes from the lives of best friends George and Martha. Includes topics such as supporting one another, respecting privacy, and playing pranks.

[Lois Dunahoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I would like to have it in my classroom one day. It was very sweet and simple. I think my students would really enjoy it.

[beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

it held up

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth 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.

[crys :3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I read with my small groups, again just a fun book to read.

[Amy]

super short stories about friendship and manners

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories end abruptly. There is a charm to that.

[Angtburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to be supportive in defying gravity and setting boundaries

[Kama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern Fantasy
Grade level: 2-3

I really like how this book had different stories inside of one book. The friendship that George and Martha have could been seen in each of the stories. I really like books about friendship because that is an important concept for younger children.

[Alana Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about two great friends and the dun adventures they do in a day. They go on a picnic and one reads a dairy and one tries to scare the other friend and then at the end the friend who got scared scared the friend back.

This book is good for decision making, if you do something unkind to someone like read their diary or scare them that person may get upset and try to scare you right back. So thinking before you act is the lesson learned with this book.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

George and Martha One Fine Day is a collection of five stories from the day they have together. It starts out with Martha walking the tightrope, then it moves to Martha writing in her diary while George tries to spy on her to see what she writes about. The third story is when George tells Martha an icky story during lunch, it upsets her so she tells him an even ickier one so he feels sick. The fourth story George decides to scare Martha and in response she "forgets" to scare him back so he walks around looking for her all afternoon. The last one is at the amusement park where George and Martha ride a bunch of rides and then they end up in the tunnel of love where Martha scares the pants off George to get him back from earlier in the day.

This book is appropriate for ages 4+

I remember reading these books during the summers at our cottage, they are some of my fondest memories and I just had to check one out when I saw it at the library earlier. George and Martha are always going on some fun adventures and teasing one another. I think any child would enjoy their playful behaviors.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the weekend we found this book at the used book store we were visiting. As Sean has the first George and Martha book, we had to get One Fine Day. Although these books were published when I was a child and my husband grew up with them, I didn't start reading them until I was married. My in laws introduced them to me. So when I read them I always think of my mother and father in law!

The summary in the front of the book describes the story as the continuing friendship of two hippopotamuses. From the books I've read, I've always gotten the impression that George and Martha are a married couple. That doesn't mean they can't also be friends but there is a greater implied intimacy between the two than just a friendship.