This collection of Peanuts comics
focuses on Snoopy and his relationships with the other characters in
the strip by Schultz. Snoopy is ever getting himself into situations
with the others in different ways. He is often seen in his own
imagination, and everyone can find themselves in him. This collection
is wonderfully illustrated by Charles Schultz and other authors. It
offers readers a familiar look at old friends (including some often
unseen Beagle siblings).
The strips themselves show the love and
care that Schultz took in each character, they have personalities.
The stories in this collection show a range of emotions from
excitement to disappointment. Each tale invokes a new emotion for the
reader through text and image. The Peanuts gang and their triumphs,
failures, and sweet moments are familiar friends to many people.
My Favorites in this Collection
I enjoyed the book
as a whole but had favorite stories as anyone would. Particularly
after the crazy few weeks I've had. Snoopy provides a familiar friend
with some relatable situations and silly antics.
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| Lucy Yells at Snoopy |
The
first tale I enjoyed was about the Daisy Hill Puppy of the Year
Contest. In this tale Charlie Brown has Snoopy enter a contest to
make him Puppy of the Year, however they need to find five references
to say how great Snoopy is. Of course Charlie Brown writes one but
who will do the others? This leads the characters on a journey
including blanket snatching blackmail, puppy dog eyes, and even
Schroeder playing a dinner concert for Snoopy all for letters. The
one who refuses to write a letter to no ones surprise is Lucy, as she
simply doesn't want to and at one point even says “Some people
think HAPPINESS IS A WARM KITTEN!” (Schultz, 2017, unpaged), a
reference to one of Schultz other works
Happiness
is a Warm Puppy.
Though in the end we see a rare shared moment between Lucy and Snoopy
as she explains why she wouldn't write a letter. This tale shows just
because someone may not always be kind or their for you, you do have
an impact on their lives. Snoopy and Lucy may not always see eye to
eye but they like each other, at least sometimes.
The second story I liked was all about World Famous Authors, and how
of course Snoopy is one of them. It features Snoopy and Woodstock (as
the assistant). Snoopy is once again writing a master piece,
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| Snoopy upset at Woodstock |
using
the typewriter on his dog house, and dictating to Woodstock, who is
once again late. As they try to figure out the best starting line
Woodstock attempts to suggest lines that do not revolve around a hero
dog. finally leaving. In the next panel Snoopy hears something, when
he investigates he finds that Woodstock is writing his own tale. When
shown the work Snoopy hates each idea...well, that is until Woodstock
starts writing about dogs and not birds...This story shows an
interesting aspect of the twos friendship which while not always
great is typically seen in good light. Woodstock tries to show what
he can do and Snoopy is upset by this. How often do we get jealous of
our friend. Relatable right!
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| My collection of Flying Ace Items |
My favorite “character” in Peanuts is actually all in Snoopy's
imagination, the WWI Flying Ace
, is also featured. However, unlike
other versions where he fights imaginary foes, particularly the Red
Baron, he must face the neighborhood children! Of course the Flying
Ace must have his Root Beer served by none other than a French
waitress (Marcie) and then things just get worse from there.
Eventually he just decides to quit and hide in his dog house! A twist
of this strip is that instead of remaining in Snoopy's imagined world
we see the havoc wreaked by Flying Ace in the other characters real
lives as he attempts to sneak back from behind enemy lines to his
Sopwith Camel (dog house). The story is well executed and
demonstrates the vast stylings of the various artists/writers of this
little volume. The unique view offered provides a fun back drop to
the character of the Flying Ace instead of seeing him as he typically
is accomplishing his many feats.
I still find the fact that Peppermint Patty and her friend, Marcie,
believe Snoopy is a kid funny. In the previous tale Snoopy is said to
be “handsome” and then in the next Peppermint Patty seems to
think he can enter a wrist wrestling tournament. However, there is
only one problem...dogs don't have wrists!
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| Peppermint Patty Registers Snoopy |
However, Peppermint Patty
is looking for a champion and who else would she chose but Snoopy,
though she first mentioned that maybe Charlie Brown should enter.
This leads to him training and winning but only by a sneaky kiss to
the unbeatable champion. This silly trope is one seen throughout
Peanuts history, one other one I remember is “Joe Cool” an alter
ego of Snoopy's in various comics and cartoons. This delightful story
about Wrist Wrestling also shows Lucy once again as the antagonist
who is outwitted by Snoopy and a YUCK DOG GERMS! moment with Lucy.
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| Memories Last Forever |
The final tale I'll mention is all about loss and moving on from the
past. In this story Woodstock needs to migrate as it's winter and
that's what birds do...but he doesn't want to go alone. Snoopy
decides to go with him, at least at first. After a bit they stop and
decide it's far enough to turn back home....but not before Snoopy
realizes they are near where he was born, the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm.
This story shares how different people process loss and the past. Each
one of Snoopy's siblings is shown as having a
different reaction from
him. The story ends with the realization that while places may be
gone we never lose the memories, thanks to Charlie Brown! What an
important reminder in changing times, as many have lost something or
someone.
Conclusion
In the end this is a great collection of memories and nostalgia that
will be appreciated by old and new fans of Peanuts. Charles Schultz
was a great cartoonist and the artists who helped create this
collection did a wonderful tribute. Remember each of us will have
different reactions to events and can all make a mess of things, just
ask “Good Ole Charlie Brown” and the Peanuts Gang.
References
Schultz, C. (2017). Snoopy: A Peanuts collection. Kaboom.
Images taken of the book by April Martin. Photos of above book
published by Kaboom!
