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221st out of 8,316 books
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39,463 voters
The Essential Calvin and Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes Collections #1)
The Essential Calvin and Hobbes is an over-size anthology-type book including an original 16-page story and color Sunday cartoons.
Paperback, 255 pages
Published
1988
by Andrews McMeel Publishing
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My dad gave me this book Christmas 2009, and I prior to reading it last week, I had not experienced Calvin and Hobbes. Well, that isn't completely true. I had read one or two strips, I suppose. Seen other people reading it. But I hadn't experienced it. I had not sat down with a thick, luscious book full of Calvin and Hobbes strips, full of wonderful, pinpoint and intelligent humour.
When I did finally sit down, I fell in love. So to all my friends out there: how dare you not kidnap me and force-f...more
When I did finally sit down, I fell in love. So to all my friends out there: how dare you not kidnap me and force-f...more
Somewhere own the street in a small house in a quite town lives every babysitter's worst nightmare. The dynamic yet meddlesome duo of the mischievous Calvin & the manipulative Hobbes. Calvin & Hobbes is a great, classic cartoon about a little boy, named Calvin, who goes on many wacky expeditions with his pet tiger, Hobbes. Everybody else sees Hobbes as a mere stuffed animal, but not Calvin. He sees Hobbes as a real tiger & a snarky one at that. Watch Calvin & his feline friend as...more
4.5 stars. Second only to Gary Larson's "The Far Side" as my favorite cartoon series of all time. Always clever, always funny and always leaves you in a better mood. I must have for any library.
May not be great literature, but Bill Watterson sees something which most of us don't. My life has been diminished by not having the joy of opening the daily paper to some new insight to ourselves through his eyes.
by Bill Watterson, published in 1988.
Calvin and Hobbes is perhaps the best known comic strip of all time, even more so than Peanuts or Far Side. I’m a product of the eighties so maybe Bill Watterson and his creation are just part of my upbringing and I can’t help loving it.
But I don’t think anybody can deny the sheer genius of this comic strip, or the laughs and joy it has brought and will continue to bring to millions of people. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of reading “The Essential Calvin an...more
Calvin and Hobbes is perhaps the best known comic strip of all time, even more so than Peanuts or Far Side. I’m a product of the eighties so maybe Bill Watterson and his creation are just part of my upbringing and I can’t help loving it.
But I don’t think anybody can deny the sheer genius of this comic strip, or the laughs and joy it has brought and will continue to bring to millions of people. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of reading “The Essential Calvin an...more
Jul 08, 2011
Valerie
added it
"Includes cartoons from Calvin & Hobbes and Something under The Bed Is Drooling".
In the foreword, Charles Schulz praises Watterson's skill at drawing. Schulz himself was an indifferent draughtsman: competent, but not inspired. By the end, he was so shaky that only stubborness kept him at the drawing board, rather than farming out the drawing as too many others do. It's not surprising, therefore that Schulz was impressed by Watterson's drawing skill. It is impressive. Watterson also has a gi...more
In the foreword, Charles Schulz praises Watterson's skill at drawing. Schulz himself was an indifferent draughtsman: competent, but not inspired. By the end, he was so shaky that only stubborness kept him at the drawing board, rather than farming out the drawing as too many others do. It's not surprising, therefore that Schulz was impressed by Watterson's drawing skill. It is impressive. Watterson also has a gi...more
Another review I just saw (almost totally unrelated ... oh well) reminded me I should give this five stars. I have loved C&H for years. One of my greatest disgusts with generally-sad newspaper comics is that Calvin and Hobbes are not there.
Chronicling the practically endless exploits of fine young Calvin, his stuffed (?!) tiger Hobbes, and occasionally others: Calvin's wartorn parents (especially his fabulously sardonic dad), the ever-sappy neighbourhood kid Susie, and long-suffering teache...more
Chronicling the practically endless exploits of fine young Calvin, his stuffed (?!) tiger Hobbes, and occasionally others: Calvin's wartorn parents (especially his fabulously sardonic dad), the ever-sappy neighbourhood kid Susie, and long-suffering teache...more
3 likes · like · see review
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August 7, 2011
Dear Bill,
Your decade long run of Calvin and Hobbes was the greatest run of any comic strip in the history of comic strips, and you made the right choice putting an end to it when you did. I can't believe it's been gone for 16 years now. Your precocious Calvin was what every kid with an overactive imagination is in their own heads, but you also gave us the view of what the rest of the world sees in these kids and does to try and beat the imagination out of them. There's implied sa...more
Dear Bill,
Your decade long run of Calvin and Hobbes was the greatest run of any comic strip in the history of comic strips, and you made the right choice putting an end to it when you did. I can't believe it's been gone for 16 years now. Your precocious Calvin was what every kid with an overactive imagination is in their own heads, but you also gave us the view of what the rest of the world sees in these kids and does to try and beat the imagination out of them. There's implied sa...more
25 likes · like · see review
As Mrs. Messmer mentioned about the Authoritative Calvin & Hobbes book, there were a LOT of hard-core vocabulary words that I hardly knew. But if you look them up, you can easily understand the comic. Calvin is a whiny, uncooperative 6-year-old kid who thinks the whole world revolves around him, and the stunts he pulls off makes me laugh. It kind of reminds me of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Basically, I'm talking about all the Calvin & Hobbes books, all the way up to the last comic...more
Ah, to be a kid again.
I'll admit, it feels a little weird saying that given that it hasn't been that long since I was a kid and I'm pretty sure I'm not old enough to start reminiscing about uphill journeys in the snow before school. Still, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the years of youth now gone by as I read this book. Very rarely did I read a page in the book that didn't make me think "I remember doing that" or "I remember thinking that's how the world worked". (The only time...more
I'll admit, it feels a little weird saying that given that it hasn't been that long since I was a kid and I'm pretty sure I'm not old enough to start reminiscing about uphill journeys in the snow before school. Still, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the years of youth now gone by as I read this book. Very rarely did I read a page in the book that didn't make me think "I remember doing that" or "I remember thinking that's how the world worked". (The only time...more
I have a confession to make. I started reading Calving and Hobbes comics because I saw my third grade crush reading them. I guess I should thank him, because once I started reading these comics, I didn't want to stop. My grandparents and parents bought me collection upon collection of Calvin and Hobbes comics. And while I didn't read the "normal" books that kids my age read, I think I had a great childhood reading these comics. They're funny, they're silly, and believe it or not, they can have s...more
I don't remember this Calvin and Hobbes more particularly than any of the others that I've read. I went through a Calvin and Hobbes phase years ago and read all the anthologies of the strip that I could get my hands on. Now my nephew likes to read these books.
A great series of comics about a boy and his toy tiger.
Our oldest copy we bought brand new at least twelve years ago, and it is falling apart. The kids (and we adults) have pored over these stories on snowy days, sad days, tired days, and at the end of a happy active day. The philosophies and family warmth are some of what kept me coming back.
My kids were a little impressionable at times; I did have to make sure my kids understood that this behavior was funny only in a book, not in real life. A...more
Our oldest copy we bought brand new at least twelve years ago, and it is falling apart. The kids (and we adults) have pored over these stories on snowy days, sad days, tired days, and at the end of a happy active day. The philosophies and family warmth are some of what kept me coming back.
My kids were a little impressionable at times; I did have to make sure my kids understood that this behavior was funny only in a book, not in real life. A...more
The adventures of Calvin and Hobbes are telling of many life lessons if you only pay attention.
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
Calvin and Hobbes are your average six year old and his toy tiger (aka best friend in the WHOLE world). While trying to make sense of life (and enjoying it!), they ask big moral questions such as "Is there life after death?", "How do you know if a girl likes you?", "How do I get out of bathtime?" and "How do I get out of eating vegetables at dinnertime?" (yes, THESE are the big questions in life!).
This is a collection of comic strips (well, they were published in...more
Calvin and Hobbes are your average six year old and his toy tiger (aka best friend in the WHOLE world). While trying to make sense of life (and enjoying it!), they ask big moral questions such as "Is there life after death?", "How do you know if a girl likes you?", "How do I get out of bathtime?" and "How do I get out of eating vegetables at dinnertime?" (yes, THESE are the big questions in life!).
This is a collection of comic strips (well, they were published in...more
Oh the endless bounties of insight that Calvin and Hobbes offers. There is only one reason why so many people have filtered into this page and others like it. Calvin and Hobbes resonates so profoundly with its readers due to its near perfect representation of the joys of adventure and discovery. To treat the series as an "escape" from reality does not do the strip justice. Like all artists, Watterson does not shackle us into his world. Rather, like a kind, older brother vigorously rousing his y...more
2 likes · like · see review
Being wholly clueless about the Calvin and Hobbes series, I just randomly picked two books from the library, this book being one and Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat being the other. I read Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat first because it seems to likely have a more coherent narrative instead of a random collection that I thought The Essential Calvin and Hobbes implied. But now that I've started reading The Essential Calvin and Hobbes, I guess, in hindsight, I should have read it first as this book inclu...more
Possibly the greatest and funniest comic strip in existence.
I honestly don't know how one person can create this many funny, interesting and really quite intelligent ideas. I loved this as a kid and reading again as an adult I get so much more out of it.
This collection is some of the best of the series and is a perfect collection for the general fan, though as someone who loves it, I would go for the complete collection as this doesn't contain the transmogrification series that I love the most.
I honestly don't know how one person can create this many funny, interesting and really quite intelligent ideas. I loved this as a kid and reading again as an adult I get so much more out of it.
This collection is some of the best of the series and is a perfect collection for the general fan, though as someone who loves it, I would go for the complete collection as this doesn't contain the transmogrification series that I love the most.
Best. Comic Strip. Ever.
I LOVE Calvin and Hobbes.
Clever humor. Wonder facial expressions.
My kids are now hooked as well. They didn't understand much of the humor at first, but the photos kept them intrigued. My youngest doesn't "enjoy" reading, but will beg to have one of these comic collections at bedtime.
The vocabulary has challenged them. The humor and philosophical views have educated them or made them think... while still managing to make them giggle.
I LOVE Calvin and Hobbes.
Clever humor. Wonder facial expressions.
My kids are now hooked as well. They didn't understand much of the humor at first, but the photos kept them intrigued. My youngest doesn't "enjoy" reading, but will beg to have one of these comic collections at bedtime.
The vocabulary has challenged them. The humor and philosophical views have educated them or made them think... while still managing to make them giggle.
2 likes · like · see review
It is amazing that comics can be so rich in content. We all know that the world is 'unfair', but Calvin and Hobbes makes it more evident than anyone else. As social critiques they may be rated at par with anybody else. It becomes more interesting when Hobbes picks up a fight with Calvin and heaps his cynicism on the most cynic of all. They collaborate, engage in friendly banter and betray each other only to rip apart the entire social fabric in the process. Nothing is sacred for Calvin and nothi...more
Yet another among the books published by Bill Watterson from the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that I have enjoyed. My children have literally worn out these collections of C&H comics, and with good reason. C&H is a unique blend of homespun philosophy, side-splitting humor, and insight into the human (child and adult) condition. Watterson's insights into, and sly digs at, various social, familial, and other institutions of modern life are masterful.
Jan 08, 2013
Timothy McNeil
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
comic-strip-collection,
humor
I am mostly surprised how almost all of the non-Calvin characters start out looking very close to the final product they become while Calvin himself takes nearly a year to find his form.
But much of the humor is dated and a little stilted. Watterson occasionally has moments of brilliant insight, but too often Calvin-the-brat is just behaving badly for too little comic effect. Definitely seemed better back when I was a child.
But much of the humor is dated and a little stilted. Watterson occasionally has moments of brilliant insight, but too often Calvin-the-brat is just behaving badly for too little comic effect. Definitely seemed better back when I was a child.
Growing up, my best friend's family had all of these books - collections of comic strips like Calvin & Hobbes, The Far Side, Dilbert, and many that I can't remember. For some reason, I thought that this was an indicator of extreme wealth. (Yeah, I dunno.) I'm not sure if I bought this (and The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes) in defiance of my unemployed state or just on a whim, but I surely did love reading this and remembering how much I loved these guys.
I read a bit of this strip in the papers over the years, but did not care for it. So many consider it wonderful that I finally gave in and read this, the most popular collection. It has wit, smarts, and good draftsmanship, but I simply don't like the self-absorbed brat at the center of the strip. The kid is a jerk lacking the good qualities that make most children a delight. I don't enjoy his company.
this is a very funny book it does not have a stoy becus its a comeic. my faverit one calivn wonts a grnad loncher so he asks whens Chistmas and his mom said not for a long time then he asks whens my brithday his mom said not for a long time then he yels do I have eney can I cash or war bons then he asks can I have some sope and his mom said yes then he panted 4 sale cheep on ther car
Feb 27, 2013
Jordan713
added it
This book was probably one of my favorite comic books of all time. My parents first introduced this book to me when I was 8, and the jokes still haven't gotten old. However i still think that my favorite book in the "Calvin and Hobbes" series is "There's Treasure Everywhere". but still this was one of the first books, so I have to say that it is a one of a kind storyline.
Classic Calvin and Hobbes! I don't think any of these books could ever get less than 5 stars. That said, this is the first time I've read C&H since my sons were born and I have to say, I can identify with Calvin's parents much more than I ever thought I would. I have a feeling my 3yo is going to be very much like Calvin when he's a little older... I'm a little bit scared =)
Where does one begin with Calvin and Hobbes? Bill Watterson is just awesome! My ten year old cousin enjoys the simplicity of Calvin and Hobbes. As you get older you appreciate it on a different level. The subliminal messages that are so brilliantly added in the comics is so great! Watterson's imagination and ingenuity astounds me! I love him!
Calvin and Hobbes is my favourite comic ever produced. I would normally ever say this, but there's no way anything will ever top this series. Rather than rating the individual Calvin and Hobbes books, I'm rating the collections. I should really give this five stars, but I forced myself to reserve that for the tenth anniversary collection.
This book is made up of two books: Something Under the Bed is Drooling and Scientific Progress Goes Boink. my favorite part is when Calvin aked his dad to read him a bedtime story his story was once there was a boy named Calvin who always wanted his way so one day his dad locked him in the basement for the rest of his life after that every one else lived happily ever after.
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Bill Watterson (born William Boyd Watterson II) is an American cartoonist, and the author of the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes". His career as a syndicated cartoonist ran from 1985 to 1995; he stopped drawing "Calvin and Hobbes" at the end of 1995 with a short statement to newspaper editors and his fans that he felt he had achieved all he could in the comic strip medium. During the early years of...more
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“Hello Dad! It is now three in the morning. Do you know where I am? ”
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“You can drag my body to school but my spirit refuses to go.”
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