Saturday, November 14, 2015

The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes



A fun, easy, and enjoyable read…. The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes (yes, the daily cartoon favorite) by Bill Watterson.  The book is a compilation of the daily and Sunday comics captured in newspapers.  Calvin, the six year old mischievous boy and his toy tiger, Hobbes, who for Calvin is alive in his imagination as his best friend.  All other characters in the story don’t see Hobbes being alive, just a stuffed animal toy.  The comics actually appeared in the paper from late 1985 through late 1995.  This compilation of stories center around the following: Calvin in the winter (Santa preparation, toys he wants, and playing in the snow); Calvin not wanting to go to school (and doing whatever he could to get out of attending); Calvin terrorizing the last baby-sitter who will watch him (Rosalyn); Calvin and his relationship with his Mom, Dad, and classmates; Calvin never doing his homework and getting in trouble for it; Calvin as Stupendous Man; and finally, Calvin creating the G.R.O.S.S club with Hobbes.  The stories are fun and show the troubles of being a 6 year old boy with lots of energy and not wanting to conform to what his parents say he should be doing as all he wants to do … is have fun!  Mostly having fun at the expense of others.  Not much to be taken seriously here and every once in a while Calvin shows a sensitive side, which is heartwarming to see in the very few times it is shown.  I love the strips that show him getting caught off guard on something and having to give in to his parents demands… reminds me of two other young boys (my own) when they were six, yes a most difficult year.  Fun read!

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