Something Under the Bed Is Drooling: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection (1988)

Even though this collection of comics has many joyful and hilarious moments, Patterson seemed to include many darker elements in the life of a child as well. As the title hints at, we get many moments of childhood fear - in Calvin's case he and Hobbes are sure that there are in fact monsters under the bed who are out to eat them. Watterson presents these moments as amusing, often showing the monster's point of view by including their dialogue, but this bending of reality shows a realism that betrays the minds of children (which is not always centred in our regular adult reality). Watterson also includes a series of comics which treats Calvin's first brush with death. Not his own or human, as that would be far too dark for this early, but through the death of a small raccoon that Calvin finds in the woods. His parents attempt to save the animal, but unfortunately they are not able to, bringing Calvin to question his parents' infallibility and the mortality of the world. The series is mostly comedic, so many of the life lessons that Calvin teaches readers are buffered by comedy, but this collection shows us more blatantly than others that Watterson is apable of being darker if he chooses to be. ( )

741.5

741.5

I loved reading this book growing up! I probably read upwards of 10 times when I was a kid. I loved the illustrations and the witty banter between Calvin, Hobbes, and his parents.

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Title: Something Under The Bed Is Drooling Series: Calvin and Hobbes Author/Artist: Bill Watterson Rating: 5 of 5 Stars Genre: Comics Pages: 128 Format: Digital scan Synopsis: The further adventures of Calvin and his best friend Hobbes. We are introduced to Rosalyn the infamous babysitter. Susy the girl next door becomes more entrenched as the love/hate interest. And life as a kid is shown in all its glory and all its horror. My Thoughts: What a wonderful book. This was as good as the first. Since this is a series of daily strips, there is not an overall plot. You might get several comics in a row dealing with the same story arc, but that is it. The art is simple and yet Watterson is able to portray so many intricate feelings and situations. It seems simple but if I were to try to portray these comics with words, I am not sure I could do it. Watterson does it with almost stick characters. I used the word "genius" in my review of the first book I believe and I can only say the same again. " ( )