George and Martha: Best Friends

Based on beloved children's book author James Marshall's George and Martha series, the four nicely animated episodes collected here feature the talented Nathan Lane as hulky George and Andrea Martin as the stocky but lithe Martha, a pair of hippopotami who have their ups and downs. In my favorite (the opener, entitled "The Book"), George proclaims "Literature calls!" and promptly burrows in to read his new book F is for Friendship. Martha wants to play in the park, however, and she interrupts her buddy so relentlessly that George finally screams, "All I want to do is read my friendship book in peace!" Needless to say, the "best friends" learn a novel lesson about being considerate to others. Delightfully recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (N. Plympton)