Book cover of George and Martha

Book description

In this picture book classic that belongs on every reader's shelf, two lovable hippos impart funny lessons on the true meaning of friendship.

Like all best friends, George and Martha do everything together. George and Martha teach each other (and adoring readers) that even in a close friendship, privacy is…

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Why read it?

3 authors picked George and Martha as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

George and Martha, two very large hippos, are so unique they are a delight to read about. Martha loves making split pea soup, pots and pots of split pea soup. She loves looking at herself in the mirror and even wakes up during the night to look at herself. George likes to peek in windows. You can imagine these traits aren’t the most friend-winning qualities around. But George and Martha talk things out. They set each other straight. And best of all, they are always there for each other. I feel all warm and glowy every time I read about…

This collection of really short stories never fails to make me laugh. I'm always in awe of how funny they are and yet so incredibly simple in their layout and construction. The quirkiness and tension that is fraught between George and Martha are so perfectly balanced by how much they care for each other. I love these two. 

I have always loved to read comics in the newspaper. My favorite is Peanuts. Like Peanuts, the sparse text, simple pictures, and humor of all of the George and Martha books make me smile. I can still hear the giggles when I’d read them to my children. But don’t be fooled because hidden in the sparse text are nuggets of gold about friendship. Friends are honest, friends help each other, friends support each other, friends forgive and friends use humor to cheer each other up. 

If you love George and Martha...

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December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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