In these two stories, George and Martha are enjoying a fine day that is filled with surprises. Story Number One: The Big Scare George scares Martha but wonders when Martha will return the favor. Story Number Two: The Amusement Park Martha finds the perfect time to scare an unsuspecting George. James Marshall (1942–1992) created dozens of exuberant and captivating books for children, including The Stupids, Miss Nelson Is Missing!, and the ever-popular George and Martha books. Before creating his canon of classic, hilarious children’s books, James Marshall played the viola, studied French, and received a master’s degree from Trinity College. He also doodled. It was the doodles, and the unforgettable characters that emerged from them, that led him to his life’s work as one of the finest creators of children’s books of the twentieth century. In 2007, James Marshall was posthumously awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder medal for his lasting contribution to literature for children.