We love George and Martha!

" If one of James's most remarkable attributes was his genius for friendship, then George and Martha are the quintessential expression of that genius. Those dear, ditzy, down-to-earth hippos bring serious pleasure to everybody, not only to children. They are time-capsule hippos who will always remind us of a paradise in publishing and -- both seriously and comically -- of the true, durable meaning of friendship under the best and worst conditions."   Maurice Sendak

WE LOVE GEORGE AND MARTHA
Who doesn't?

Mirette found the complete George and Martha stories on my niece's book shelf.  "Ella,"  I said, "you have George and Martha on your book shelf"   "I LOVE George and Martha,"  Ella replied.

"What should we get Mirette for Hanukah?" my sister asked later.  "How about the complete George and Martha stories," I replied.  My two sisters simultaneously said,  "Oh, we LOVE George and Martha."  

Why does everyone love the story of two big ol' hippos?

For me, I think it's because George and Martha operate on two levels:  kids love the books.   The hippos are sweet, friendly and loving.  But it is also such a parable for how we interact as adults.   For instance, one of the stories is about split pea soup.  Martha keeps making George split pea soup.  He hates it, but keeps eating it--just to be polite.   Martha catches him putting the soup in his shoe and reveals that she also hates split pea soup and won't make it anymore.  In another similar vignette (for they do seem to be written in that form) George buys Martha a clock.  The sound annoys her and she puts it in the bottom of her laundry basket.  George find it and wonders how it got there.  Martha feels horrible and asks him if he wants to keep it for her for a while.   Martha is happy because she doesn't have the annoying alarm clock.  George is happy because he does.    How many of us have had similar experiences?  I know I have.

  My mom once got me a subscription to a magazine I didn't read or like.   I didn't say anything to be polite. The next year, I got a card saying that my subscription had been renewed.  The next year, I finally got my courage up to tell my ma that she was wasting her money.  

Another vignette I love is when Martha gets mad at George for spraying her with a hose.   Martha decides not to talk to George, but then keeps thinking of funny things she wants to tell him.   Um, I have been there with my husband.  Occasionally, I've been so mad at him, I've sworn that we are no longer going to speak ever again.  A few hours later, I think of something that I want to talk to him about.   Oh wait, we're in a fight.  I can't.  A few more hours,   I start dreaming of that romantic dinner we want to have.  Wait.   I hate him.   I feel my resolve for hatred withering and by evening all I want is for this ridiculous fight to be over.  

James Marshall (1942-1992) illustrated a gazillion books and has several other popular series like The Cut-ups (though I happen to think George and Martha is the best of his work).   George and Martha are named after the characters from Edward Albee's play Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf.   While reading these fine books look for his signature style--pictures of fat cats and piles of things about to fall over.     Marshall died prematurely of a brain tumor at the age of 50.  

For a lovely memorial to James Marshall by his friend Maurice Sendak, go to this site (or see quote at the top of this posting):
http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/11/16/bookend/bookend.html