James Marshall was born October 10, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and graduated from Southern Connecticut State College in 1967. In 1970 he began working as a free-lance author and illustrator, and the following year illustrated his first book for children, Plink, Plink, Plink by Byrd Baylor.

In 1972 Marshall published the first of his "George and Martha" books, the story of two hippos humorously conveying their experiences and friendship. The story's emphasis on friendship and the witty way it was written for very young children set the tone for many of Marshall''s later works. Throughout his prolific career he was frequently praised by critics for the wit and h...