MOTHER IS COMING by Bill Amend

MOTHER IS COMING is a collection of “Foxtrot” comics. It collects the strips that appeared from January 4, 2015 – August 13, 2017. I’ll admit that since “Foxtrot” has become a Sunday only strip, it’s not quite as entertaining as it once was when it was a daily strip. However, despite appearing only once a week the strip still has moments that capture the charm that made it so special. I’ve always liked “Foxtrot” because it infuses educational areas (such as mathematics and physics) with pop culture references. The title of the book is taken from a strip where Jason and Marcus are sitting on the couch watching “Game of Thrones.” Jason loves the show, but his mother has told him time and time again he is not supposed to watch it. In this strip, he and Marcus have built a giant wall out of white Legos so they can watch the show, only to hear Jason’s mom’s voice behind the wall.

BIG NATE GOES BANANAS! by Lincoln Peirce

The misadventures of middle schooler Nate Wright continue in BIG NATE GOES BANANAS! Some of the storylines in this book include Nate’s baseball team changing its name from the Creampuffs to the Cupcakes, Nate’s sister, Ellen, being asked on a date by Nik Fletcher (the captain of the hockey team), Coach John subbing for Mrs. Godfrey during the last couple weeks of school, Nate being “watched” by his Uncle Ted while Nate’s dad is out of town on business, and Nate spending time on the beach during summer break and running into School Picture Guy. The "Big Nate" comics have gotten better over time and this is a nice collection of them. When purchased new, this book contains a "Big Nate" poster of the book’s cover.

I'M NOT YOUR SWEET BABBOO! by Charles Schulz

I grew up reading “Peanuts” and I’m happy to see that the love of the series is being passed down with the publication of I’M NOT YOUR SWEET BABBOO! This is the 10th collection of “Peanuts” books published by Andrew McMeel that is aimed at younger readers. The title of this particular collection is taken from a storyline featured in the book where Linus gets stranded on top of a snow and ice covered roof and has to be rescued by a helicopter (Snoopy) and is dropped into the arms of Sally. Other longer storylines in the book include Peppermint Patty dropping out of public school to attend a private school only to discover it’s a dog obedience school, Charlie Brown running away from home after he receives a letter from the EPA and thinks he’s going to be sued, Peppermint Patty and Marcie working as golf caddies, and Snoopy preparing to get married. Sally is featured rather often in this book telling jokes in her class. Linus’ love Truffles returns (in the storyline where Linus ends up on the roof). In addition, Charlie Brown coaches baseball, Snoopy plays in a doubles tennis tournament, and Sally begins attending (and talking) to a new school after the old one collapsed. As usual, this collection of “Peanuts” comics is highly recommended for “Peanuts” fans both young and old and as a way to introduce someone to “Peanuts.” New copies of the book include a poster of the book's cover.

SNOOPY: BOOGIE DOWN! by Charles Schulz

I grew up reading “Peanuts” and I’m happy to see that the love of the series is being passed down with the publication of SNOOPY: BOOGIE DOWN! This is the 11^th collection of “Peanuts” books published by Andrew McMeel that is aimed at younger readers. Unlike some of the other books in the series, this book doesn’t feature Snoopy more than any of the other regular “Peanuts” characters. Instead, it takes its title from a storyline where Linus accidently gives his blanket to a new girl who moves in and gets Snoopy to help him get it back. Snoopy attempts to do so by pulling out is dance movies, specifically his disco dance moves. Snoopy has some battles with the cat next door, Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin during Halloween, and Sally talks to the wall at school. Spike makes a short visit in this collection; I always liked it when Snoopy’s brothers would visit him (I liked Olaf slightly better). SNOOPY: BOOGIE DOWN! is aimed at young readers at it’s a good collection to do so. There are a few references that the kids might have to have explained to them (I don’t think anyone younger than 35 knows what disco is), but that’s about the only unusual thing about the collection. Highly recommended for “Peanuts” fans both young and old as well as a way to introduce someone to “Peanuts.” New copies of the book include a poster of the book cover.

OZY AND MILLIE by Dana Simpson

Dana Simpson has become most known for her comic, “Phoebe and Her Unicorn.” However, years before Phoebe was around, Simpson had another comic she created called “Ozy and Millie.”  OZY AND MILLIE is a collection of what Simpson considers some of her favorite “Ozy and Millie” comics.

Ozy is a boy and Millie is a girl. They are in fifth grade, are best friends, they belong to single parents, and they are both foxes. Ozy is the adopted son of a literary-spurting dragon named Llewellyn while Millie’s mother has a bit of a bohemian vibe to her. Usually Millie is the one that finds herself in some kind of shenanigans, but sometimes Ozy does, too.  The book begins with a letter from the author and at the end there is a tutorial on drawing the characters in the strip.

I have read several of the “Phoebe and Her Unicorn” books and I have enjoyed them. But I have to say, I enjoy “Ozy and Millie” more. “Ozy and Millie” was supposedly aimed at middle school students. However, the book is far too intelligent for it being labeled like that. In tone and in some of the discussions that pop up through-out the strip, “Ozy and Millie” reminded me a great deal of one of my favorite comic strips of all time, “Calvin and Hobbes.” I like that while the strip can be approached by younger readers, it’s much deeper. It doesn’t pander.

Personally, there’s only one complaint I have about OZY AND MILLIE and that is since this is a collection of comics, it’s more of a hodge-podge. Reading the book, I felt like I was reading what is equivalent to watching a clip show of a favorite tv series: there’s some good stuff, but it’s not a real episode.

Overall, I really enjoyed OZY AND MILLIE. I highly recommend it, especially for anyone who likes great comic strips.