Review: Snoopy’s Christmas Surprise

The just-released kids storybook, Snoopy’s Christmas Surprise, is one of the lesser of writer Jason Cooper’s efforts on the characters, at least for my tastes (but admittedly, this book is not aimed at those of us in the double-digits of years, which I most definitely am.) The story – Snoopy is missing Spike, who cannot afford to come visit for Christmas, so the kids try to cheer him up – doesn’t feel particularly Peanutsy. It’s a basic, ultimately-feel-good story that could be told with any characters, with some Peanuts character aspects layered on, but blandly.

But the sticker page in the back? Ahhh, that’s very Peanutsy! Snoopy sleeping on his back on a Christmas tree! Santa Snoopy! A joyous Santa Charlie Brown! Peppermint Patty sledding down a hill with a scared Marcie on the sled behind her! A Christmas tree cactus! The sticker page is joyous!

New releases
A different kind of coffee table book

If you have a coffee table, you should have a “coffee table book”, a large, heavily illustrated color volume that your guests can easily and casually flip through, (Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects is a good choice, of course.) But you …

New releases
Review: Snoopy (Classic Cartoon Character Bios)

The Abdo Kids : Classic Cartoon Character Bios books are blatant stuff-to-fill-school-libraries material. Sturdy hardcovers, lots of pictures, 24 pages, little text – about 250 words. The Snoopy volume uses Snoopy images from just about anywhere: strips (appropriately licensed), animation, photos, The Peanuts Movie publicity materials. And the simple facts it …

Classic finds
A needle-ssly fine present

Being a) an adult and b) not a Christmasian, it makes sense that I’m not given much in the way of Christmas presents. This year’s haul was just two items, both given by Dr. Mrs. The AAUGH Blogger: a Terry’s Chocolate Orange (yum!), and this Peanuts embroidery book from Japan. …