James Edward Marshall is best known for his series of George and Martha books and as the illustrator and occasionally the coauthor with Harry Allard of the Stupid Family books, a more sophisticated and satiric series. His work is unusual in the wit, humor, and sophistication employed in the treatment of themes especially suitable for very young children: respect, kindness, and friendship. He has said that when he creates a story he begins with the character or characters and then puts them into unlikely situations. As a result, he gives the reader "two diverse elements that shouldn't go together, but when they do it clicks." Often this means putting the familiar animal characters of children's stories into parodies of adult situations. Thus his books become attractive both to young children and to the adults who read to them.

Marshall was born 10 October 1942 in San Antonio, Texas, the son...