Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for August 20, 2019

“If you go to sleep, you can dream about it. Goodnight!”

You could be watching it on video, but the film could be EXTREMELY different from the book.

Maybe Calvin can recommend books to others himself.

Even Hobbes is not going to get any sleep if Calvin keeps asking Dad questions about the book.

Is there a t-shirt to go along with the story and can I have fries with it too.

Heed the warning Calvin….

Not really a bad idea. Most Pulitzer Prize winning novels would put Calvin right to sleep.

To answer your questions, Calvin: no, no, no, no, no and no. And in that order.

Unfortunately, this story got released directly to cartoon.

Sure Calvin. With Clint Estwood as lead actor.

Actually, if it begins “Once upon a time” and Dad’s reading it, there’s a pretty good chance that it’s a classic story that has been anthologized many times over the years. It probably has enough copies in print and has sold enough copies over time to compete with most best sellers (just spread out over time, not all at once.) And the good ones have likely been made into a Disney cartoon, as well. So the answers are most likely yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

None of the books that meet all of that criteria are for kids, Calvin.

Ah, Calvin the discerning listener!

I happen to know that “Once Upon a Time” was up for a Caldecott.

Anything to avoid going to sleep, Calvin?

Everyone is a critic.

so what laudatory quotes are on “Hamster Huey and the Gooey Kablooie”

Pipe down Calvin, I want to hear the story about the noisy kid.

I suspect Calvin’s real motive is he wants to be allowed to get up, go downstairs and watch a movie.

I have read my grandchildren award winning books, and some have been made into videos (Gerald and Piggie are the former and Paw Patrol would be the latter).

At least the fact that a kid his age uses a word like “Laudatory” shows that he’s is learning SOMETHING, even if it’s not always what he SHOULD be…

You’ve seen the movie. You’ve bought the coloring book. Now, chew the gum!

These seem to be the criteria for the books for my d-i-l’s reading club. I, personally, think they’re pretty boring or unreadable.

Try GOODNIGHT, MOON. I’ve heard the movie version is a sleeper hit!

Learn to read, Calvin – and cut out the middle man.

Besides, you already “read” comic books – so you have a passing familiarity with the printed word.

“And, licking his fingers, the Monster Under The Bed announced, ‘It was delicious.’ And, everyone, except the bratty kid who’d become a late night snack, lived happily ever after. The end.”

Video? You mean like on YouTube?

(I’m kidding, I know what he means)

“Could we be watching this on cable?”

Wait! Google hasn’t replied to my search for snot-nosed boy-tots who use the word “laudatory.”

Well Son you know that All Literary Treasures Had to First Be Discovered by Someone. Why don’t we give this one a Chance ? Maybe we can Discover a New One. What do You Think Calvin ?

I thought Dad might get his attention in the last frame, but Calvin’s on a tear.

No Calvin – this is better than a movie, better than a video. This is a live action story and you are one of the prime actors. However, it is time for Dad to exit – stage left and for you to perform your soliloquy (of sleep)! Dad (and Mom) are both expecting you to get an award for your performance, so give it your best shot.

Dear Calvin sometimes the not-so-best seller books are far more superior to these ‘millions of copies sold’ books.

I had his attitude about books when I was a few years older. I didn’t enjoy reading, but would spend any amount of time on movies. :D

I definitely don’t want books that the critics like …

Yes