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The Complete Calvin and Hobbes #5
The Days Are Just Packed
Zounds! Spaceman Spiff, Stupendous Man, the ferocious tiger Hobbes, and the rest of Calvin's riotous imagination are all included in The Days Are Just Packed.
Calvin, the self-proclaimed "Boy of Destiny," continues to save the universe with his alter egos, Spaceman Spiff and Stupendous Man, at least until Miss Wormwood or his mother bring him back to reality. Susie, Calvin's nemesis and love interest, remains Calvin's favorite target. And when he's not recovering from a ferocious tiger attack, Calvin creates hideous snowmen, plays a moral cat-and-mouse game with Santa, conducts his infamous Dad polls, and combats the monsters under his bed.
Calvin, the self-proclaimed "Boy of Destiny," continues to save the universe with his alter egos, Spaceman Spiff and Stupendous Man, at least until Miss Wormwood or his mother bring him back to reality. Susie, Calvin's nemesis and love interest, remains Calvin's favorite target. And when he's not recovering from a ferocious tiger attack, Calvin creates hideous snowmen, plays a moral cat-and-mouse game with Santa, conducts his infamous Dad polls, and combats the monsters under his bed.
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1993
582 people are currently reading
5,308 people want to read
About the author
Bill Watterson
389 books4,715 followersBill Watterson (born William Boyd Watterson II) is an American cartoonist, and the author of the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes". His career as a syndicated cartoonist ran from 1985 to 1995; he stopped drawing "Calvin and Hobbes" at the end of 1995 with a short statement to newspaper editors and his fans that he felt he had achieved all he could in the comic strip medium. During the early years of his career he produced several drawings and additional contributions for "Target: The Political Cartoon Quarterly". Watterson is known for his views on licensing and comic syndication, as well as for his reclusive nature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
October 31, 2018
"I just called to let you know it’s a perfect day outside."
“The Days Are Just Packed” simply confirms for me something I already knew. Bill Watterson is a genius. And that is not an understatement. He is a great writer (he could have written novels, as the text to these comics makes clear) a wonderful storyteller and an amazing visual artist! I appreciate him more and more every time I return to Calvin and Hobbes, because they hold up so well.
This collection has many highlights, among them a story line about a time traveling Calvin. Calvin invents time travel in order to avoid writing a story for school. It is a great story line and a clever ode to the power of imagination. It begins on page 86. Also awesome is a strip where a piece of clay leads Calvin and Hobbes into a discussion about art v. marketability. It is funny and yet quite profound.
The last 50 pages of this book are just one awesome strip after another. I am talking some serious brilliance here.
As usual with a Calvin and Hobbes collection I found myself laughing and thinking at the same time. I enjoy when that happens!
“The Days Are Just Packed” is excellent all around. Don’t know what else to say about it.
“The Days Are Just Packed” simply confirms for me something I already knew. Bill Watterson is a genius. And that is not an understatement. He is a great writer (he could have written novels, as the text to these comics makes clear) a wonderful storyteller and an amazing visual artist! I appreciate him more and more every time I return to Calvin and Hobbes, because they hold up so well.
This collection has many highlights, among them a story line about a time traveling Calvin. Calvin invents time travel in order to avoid writing a story for school. It is a great story line and a clever ode to the power of imagination. It begins on page 86. Also awesome is a strip where a piece of clay leads Calvin and Hobbes into a discussion about art v. marketability. It is funny and yet quite profound.
The last 50 pages of this book are just one awesome strip after another. I am talking some serious brilliance here.
As usual with a Calvin and Hobbes collection I found myself laughing and thinking at the same time. I enjoy when that happens!
“The Days Are Just Packed” is excellent all around. Don’t know what else to say about it.
May 30, 2023
MANY QUOTES LATER, I'VE FINALLY FINISHED THIS RE-READ
And Bill Watterson's book was, once again, good to the very last drop of giggle, the ultimate snort of recognition.
What's the main thing I realized, re-reading this book some 25 years after the first time?
Watterson's books about Calvin and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes, surprise! They're not funny so much as they're satire. I never felt as if reading jokes. (Not to knock jokes. See my mega-enthusiastic reviews here of anthologies based on "Mad Magazine.")
But to me this is definitely satire, more than either jokes or humor. Sometimes the author spoofs Calvin's purposeful obnoxiousness. Other times one recognizes parental fatigue, exasperation, incredulity. Yes, I'm convinced that satire is Bill Watterson's special sauce.
SEARCHING ON GOODREADS QUOTES, YOU'LL FIND THAT I'VE ADDED MANY CALVIN GEMS
Meet my lol faves, Goodreaders. I've now quoted this author more than any other.
Even without Bill's brilliant drawings, the words stand on their own. At least, they sure start me laughing.
INITIALLY HOW I WROTE THIS REVIEW
The days are just packed with FUNNY, that's what.
Today I discovered the well-worn family copy of this book. After I re-read it, I will be delighted to review it, Goodreaders. Here's to happy!
Yes, I've just added my first quote from this book. A strip on Page 3 created an especially noisy LOL.
OOH, A LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT
Today I decided to shelve this book as currently-reading. Although it would be more precise to call this currently-re-reading.
Yep, bit by bit, I'm learning more about how Goodreads works. (I'm still a beginner, you know, fellow Goodreaders.
And Bill Watterson's book was, once again, good to the very last drop of giggle, the ultimate snort of recognition.
What's the main thing I realized, re-reading this book some 25 years after the first time?
Watterson's books about Calvin and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes, surprise! They're not funny so much as they're satire. I never felt as if reading jokes. (Not to knock jokes. See my mega-enthusiastic reviews here of anthologies based on "Mad Magazine.")
But to me this is definitely satire, more than either jokes or humor. Sometimes the author spoofs Calvin's purposeful obnoxiousness. Other times one recognizes parental fatigue, exasperation, incredulity. Yes, I'm convinced that satire is Bill Watterson's special sauce.
SEARCHING ON GOODREADS QUOTES, YOU'LL FIND THAT I'VE ADDED MANY CALVIN GEMS
Meet my lol faves, Goodreaders. I've now quoted this author more than any other.
Even without Bill's brilliant drawings, the words stand on their own. At least, they sure start me laughing.
INITIALLY HOW I WROTE THIS REVIEW
The days are just packed with FUNNY, that's what.
Today I discovered the well-worn family copy of this book. After I re-read it, I will be delighted to review it, Goodreaders. Here's to happy!
Yes, I've just added my first quote from this book. A strip on Page 3 created an especially noisy LOL.
OOH, A LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT
Today I decided to shelve this book as currently-reading. Although it would be more precise to call this currently-re-reading.
Yep, bit by bit, I'm learning more about how Goodreads works. (I'm still a beginner, you know, fellow Goodreaders.
January 22, 2023
Ahora que la editorial Astiberri ha recuperado un tomo de "Calvin y Hobbes" he terminado este tomo pendiente desde hace años y he añadido los número 3 y 4 a la colección, aún sabiendo que no la completaré ya que no creo que la reedite esa editorial y además tampoco me gustaba el formato de los siguientes que me quedan. Ya veré lo que hacemos.
Estos cómics los puedes leer mil veces y las mil ocasiones te reirás y te dejará pensando. Están más allá de ser buenos.
Estos cómics los puedes leer mil veces y las mil ocasiones te reirás y te dejará pensando. Están más allá de ser buenos.
February 23, 2017
This book of wisdom should be in every English teacher's bookshelf. It is full of philosophy, interesting play on words, wit and humour.
Nary a year goes by when I don't use it in my lessons. It has been my companion for over ten years now and is quite tattered now. I simply love this compilation.
Nary a year goes by when I don't use it in my lessons. It has been my companion for over ten years now and is quite tattered now. I simply love this compilation.
August 17, 2008
Reading this as an adult was revelatory. Of what, I can't exactly say. But I was at a friend's home, in a strange city that will soon be my home, and I couldn't sleep. I picked up this book, and realized that it really isn't meant for children. Or, at least, not just for children. I read all of Watterson's books when I was a kid, and I now know how much I missed, and how much I absorbed.
October 29, 2017
So good! Read it. You will be glad you did.
July 31, 2024
The loveliest cover of all! The back cover is so sweet too!
From this volume my favorites are the time travel stills, when three Calvins are present at the same time. And I love the snow sculptures that brightly show Calvin’s genius.
From this volume my favorites are the time travel stills, when three Calvins are present at the same time. And I love the snow sculptures that brightly show Calvin’s genius.
December 9, 2021
I think I finally have all the Calvin and Hobbes collections in some form. I know I've read this one before, but it must be thirty years ago, because it has in it the one strip I've never forgotten, where Calvin comes up with a short poem rhyming "hors d'oeuvre" with "nerve." My husband used this example (I do not remember why) in an English paper back in college, and it was one of those classes where the students had to share and critique with a small group, because THAT will ever end well. And one of the comments he received was "those don't rhyme." I still wonder how that person thought hors d'oeuvre was supposed to be pronounced.
Anyway, I laughed harder at this book than at most of the others, which probably means I'm under stress I'm not aware of. I only have one collection left, and I can't decide whether to read it now or save it for a future need. Except that kind of thinking always leads to hoarding against a catastrophe, so maybe I don't want to save it, after all.
Anyway, I laughed harder at this book than at most of the others, which probably means I'm under stress I'm not aware of. I only have one collection left, and I can't decide whether to read it now or save it for a future need. Except that kind of thinking always leads to hoarding against a catastrophe, so maybe I don't want to save it, after all.
August 19, 2011
This is the first Calvin & Hobbes book I've purchased since elementary school. Back then, my parents would give me an allowance whenever the Scholastic Book Catalog was passed around the classroom and I would almost always buy a Calvin & Hobbes collection. My parents encouraged me to read something of value when I could, so they'd talk me out of sticker books and lesser kid titles like Captain Poopbutt & His Wacky Goof Smile Crew or some shit. This was fine, since I always tried to read at a higher level. For instance, I read a bunch of Michael Chrichton in junior high. Guess what happens when you're some barely-teenage spaz launching his way through puberty and reading techno-thrillers without understanding basic science? It messes up your brain and you start wanting to only talk about time travel in biology class.
But, when I read Calvin & Hobbes, it was sort of this weird hybrid piece of childhood and adulthood. It wasn't some coming-of-age tale or some hyperactive meta-fiction. Calvin and Hobbes, as comic characters, did a number on me, as they were loud and adventurous while, in turn, quietly discussing philosophy. Looking back, I probably scored a heavy helping of social interpretation from the two. It's pretty hard to get a kid to consider morality and mortality, but, somehow, when Calvin posed a question to Hobbes in the woods or in the wagon, there came a serious pondering of existence in this great big world.
I've read through my Calvin & Hobbes collections dozens of times, over the years, every year. To read Calvin & Hobbes comics this week, ones that I've never previously read, was some sort of hellfire crash of excitement and nostalgia. It was the first comic strip I ever loved. It was the first thing my father and I ever discussed like literary men. It was the first characters that I thought made eloquent and constructive sense of wise-assing.
This particular collection got a five-star rating from me before I even read it. Bill Watterson spent his years as a cartoonist having an open discussion about the wants and drags of mankind and the nervous wonderment of people, all while letting an uncontrollable kid's imagination run wild with his closest friend. It was perfect then and it's perfect now.
But, when I read Calvin & Hobbes, it was sort of this weird hybrid piece of childhood and adulthood. It wasn't some coming-of-age tale or some hyperactive meta-fiction. Calvin and Hobbes, as comic characters, did a number on me, as they were loud and adventurous while, in turn, quietly discussing philosophy. Looking back, I probably scored a heavy helping of social interpretation from the two. It's pretty hard to get a kid to consider morality and mortality, but, somehow, when Calvin posed a question to Hobbes in the woods or in the wagon, there came a serious pondering of existence in this great big world.
I've read through my Calvin & Hobbes collections dozens of times, over the years, every year. To read Calvin & Hobbes comics this week, ones that I've never previously read, was some sort of hellfire crash of excitement and nostalgia. It was the first comic strip I ever loved. It was the first thing my father and I ever discussed like literary men. It was the first characters that I thought made eloquent and constructive sense of wise-assing.
This particular collection got a five-star rating from me before I even read it. Bill Watterson spent his years as a cartoonist having an open discussion about the wants and drags of mankind and the nervous wonderment of people, all while letting an uncontrollable kid's imagination run wild with his closest friend. It was perfect then and it's perfect now.
August 19, 2022
Classic! I love how I get different and more things out of C&H both every time I read it as well as while I age. Truly written for both kids and adults. Masterful.
July 25, 2017
The shock I felt upon learning Bill Watterson was discontinuing his Calvin and Hobbes series has never left me. I needed those comics. They weren't just funny they were touching and so very clever. Today's comics and graphic novels have not come close to the feelings, emotions and intelligence Watterson was able to convey in a few short panels. Hopefully Watterson will return to us in full force. The world needs him more than ever.
June 18, 2016
When you're trying to alleviate daily stress allow Calvin and Hobbs to provide pure joy into your life! I laughed out loud on buses, subways, coffee shops, and park benches. I felt wonderful and that's what it's all about. All Hail, Bill Watterson!
May 7, 2021
Calvin, the “Boy of Destiny”, makes a return to mayhem with this action packed volume. Featuring most of the usual suspects such as Ms. Wormwood, Susie, Stupendous Man in addition to the fab trio of Hobbes, and Calvin’s Mom and Dad. I missed Rosalyn in this one. A Calvin book feels incomplete without his troubling his babysitter.
August 11, 2022
I adore these comics. Always good for a rainy day:)
December 2, 2021
unlike most things, this is so much funnier now that I'm old enough to understand capitalism
June 27, 2023
“I suppose that if we couldn’t laugh at things that don’t make sense, we couldn’t react to a lot of life.” 5 stars.
November 20, 2009
From spaceships and interplanetary hideous monster beasties, to creeping around the backyard the fun is never in short supply.
These witty comics about the 6-year old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes, named after the famous philosophers, will amuse people of all ages. The perceptiveness and humor of Watterson deserve the highest of cartoon awards, while his artistic creations exude hilarity. This cartoon is perhaps one of the most piercing yet funny critiques of modern society.
This book is excellent and relatively benign humor, good for any occasion when you need a break from the world. More amazing, this book can be read over and over, and each time you'll still find it funny.
Book Details:
Title The Days Are Just Packed (Calvin and Hobbes)
Author Bill Watterson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
These witty comics about the 6-year old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes, named after the famous philosophers, will amuse people of all ages. The perceptiveness and humor of Watterson deserve the highest of cartoon awards, while his artistic creations exude hilarity. This cartoon is perhaps one of the most piercing yet funny critiques of modern society.
This book is excellent and relatively benign humor, good for any occasion when you need a break from the world. More amazing, this book can be read over and over, and each time you'll still find it funny.
Book Details:
Title The Days Are Just Packed (Calvin and Hobbes)
Author Bill Watterson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
December 23, 2018
Calvin: Bugs fly in such crazy loops and zigzags. I wonder why they don't get dizzy and barf.
Hobbes: Maybe they do!
Calvin: Eww, gross! Ha ha ha! But then why would they keep flying that way?
Hobbes: Maybe bugs like to barf!
Calvin:Ewww! They would!! Ha ha ha ha! Blaugh!
Calvin: I tell you Hobbes, it's great to have a friend who appreciates earnest discussion of ideas
Just pure dead perfection. Ideal stress relief.
Hobbes: Maybe they do!
Calvin: Eww, gross! Ha ha ha! But then why would they keep flying that way?
Hobbes: Maybe bugs like to barf!
Calvin:Ewww! They would!! Ha ha ha ha! Blaugh!
Calvin: I tell you Hobbes, it's great to have a friend who appreciates earnest discussion of ideas
Just pure dead perfection. Ideal stress relief.
January 23, 2015
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13136362
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13136362
May 31, 2024
I absolutely love these two!
The kid has got some solid vocabulary.
The kid has got some solid vocabulary.
September 8, 2024
Reads the way tomato soup and grilled cheese taste
June 11, 2022
Calvin and Hobbes are simply the best.
November 18, 2021
The Days are Just Packed is a book that has many comic strips of Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin and Hobbes is one of the most widely read comics, and this book contains some brilliant and comedic drawings of this comic.
This book tells the adventures of Calvin and his soft toy/ real friend Hobbes, a tiger. Most of the time, Calvin asks impossible questions related to existence and human biology. This often leads Calvin to get scolded or some irrelevant answers. Hobbes is always supporting Calvin and sometimes even giving him misleading thoughts.
The other characters also give their views on Calvin. There is Mrs Wormwood, who is pressuring Calvin to study rather than asking unanswerable questions. Then there are Calvin’s parents, who reject his ideas and thoughts and instead make him do homework and other chores. Lastly, there is Susie, Calvin’s intelligent friend on whom he always plays pranks.
This book has made me laugh a lot, and I never get bored reading it. It’s probably the best comic book I’ve ever read.
This book tells the adventures of Calvin and his soft toy/ real friend Hobbes, a tiger. Most of the time, Calvin asks impossible questions related to existence and human biology. This often leads Calvin to get scolded or some irrelevant answers. Hobbes is always supporting Calvin and sometimes even giving him misleading thoughts.
The other characters also give their views on Calvin. There is Mrs Wormwood, who is pressuring Calvin to study rather than asking unanswerable questions. Then there are Calvin’s parents, who reject his ideas and thoughts and instead make him do homework and other chores. Lastly, there is Susie, Calvin’s intelligent friend on whom he always plays pranks.
This book has made me laugh a lot, and I never get bored reading it. It’s probably the best comic book I’ve ever read.
January 11, 2010
I really like this one too. Some of them I vaguely remeber reading some of them, and my mother told me that we used to own it (personally I think we borrowed it) and that she doesn't know what happened to it. I was showing my dad it and he laughed at some of them and when I left it in the car and went to go get something with my mother, he was reading it, he tried to put it back on my seat before I got back, but he was intensely reading a strip. I took it from him and read the last of it. It was pretty funny, I didn't show it but I was laughing inside.
May 29, 2009
This was the 1st C&H book I read. My best friend was home on leave (US NAVY) & left it at my apt. I picked it up and could not put it down. This is a laugh out loud funny book.
For a book to make me laugh out loud when I am by myself... that is FUNNY!! If this doesn't make you laugh, then you have NO sense of humor. Some are so funny you will cry. Highly recommend!
For a book to make me laugh out loud when I am by myself... that is FUNNY!! If this doesn't make you laugh, then you have NO sense of humor. Some are so funny you will cry. Highly recommend!
January 2, 2009
How can you go wrong with Calvin and Hobbes?
175 pages of fun and philosophy, told through the eyes and imagination of a six year old and his pet tiger. I don't think you can go wrong starting Calvin and Hobbes with any volume, and this is definitely a good place to start.
175 pages of fun and philosophy, told through the eyes and imagination of a six year old and his pet tiger. I don't think you can go wrong starting Calvin and Hobbes with any volume, and this is definitely a good place to start.
May 26, 2010
My review for all Calvin and Hobbes books is this:
When you need to relax and laugh, this is a great place to go. Watterson is insightful, hilarious, and very, very funny. Highly recommended.
I grew up on C&H, and I'm very glad I did.
When you need to relax and laugh, this is a great place to go. Watterson is insightful, hilarious, and very, very funny. Highly recommended.
I grew up on C&H, and I'm very glad I did.
August 2, 2011
Calvin and Hobbes books are great fun and really witty humor! A childhood staple comic book for me, but even now I go back and read them and understand the humor on a different level (now that I know the meanings of some of the words!). Great books.
August 7, 2011
The cover says it all, but I will say more, anyway. Calvin and Hobbes explores thought and emotion in a way very few comics ever have. And it's the dream of still being a kid in an adult world. And it's just great.
November 14, 2014
An allusion to summer. There are other days, of course, where various ploys do not get him out of homework, the valiant attempt to get the story he is meant to write by time traveling, and a good number of gag-a-day comics.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews