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Calvin and Hobbes #3
Yukon Ho!: a Calvin and Hobbes Collection
The spirit of childhood leaps to life again with boundless energy and magic in Yukon Ho!, a collection of adventures featuring rambunctious six-year-old Calvin and his co-conspirator tiger-chum, Hobbes. Picking up where The Essential Calvin and Hobbes left off, Yukon Ho! is a delight!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 338 reviews
September 18, 2013
It can be really difficult to critique a work like this. Calvin and Hobbes stands as perhaps the greatest strip ever, along with grandpappy Peanuts and the bizarrely inimitable Little Nemo. Of course, as a child, I never knew that Calvin was a man who thought heaven was a lottery or that Hobbes was the father of rational political philosophy. However, truly great children's literature should never be inaccessible to adults. If it is, then its popularity amongst children stems merely from its ability to mesmerize their ignorance.
It was not only the philosophy of Calvin and Hobbes, not only the many levels of both meaning and humor, it was the exploration of reality itself; sometimes funny, sometimes poignant. One thing that many grownups seem to forget is that the world is vast and strange and that, often, the only way to come to terms with it is to strike out (in one's own idiomatic style) and have a bit of adventure. There can be no complacency in this world. Not in a world of dinosaurs, spacemen, and cardboard boxes of infinite technological capability.
I suppose I should mention the beautiful and evocative art for a moment, which had a sense of movement, gesture, and impressionistic reality that never failed to jump-start the mind just enough to get it going without limiting the open philosophical questions that we could never quite answer.
I think there must be something to be said for any strip where the most memorable moments were those of inaction and silence. It shows that Watterson expected a lot out of his readers, especially children, and that when we did the work of connecting the dots for him, we were really doing something invaluable for ourselves.
I guess Watterson is off living with his family now, and painting landscapes. I have an idea why he left. Gary Larson, too. I often wish they were still here to help us through these strange and difficult times. Whenever some new horror of inhuman humanity crops up, I want somewhere to go where I can laugh at it, where I can see the big picture, where everything isn't so simple.
In Watterson's comic, it was always the world that was impossibly wide, complex, and unfair. The only simple, rational part--the only important part--was you.
My Suggested Readings in Comics
It was not only the philosophy of Calvin and Hobbes, not only the many levels of both meaning and humor, it was the exploration of reality itself; sometimes funny, sometimes poignant. One thing that many grownups seem to forget is that the world is vast and strange and that, often, the only way to come to terms with it is to strike out (in one's own idiomatic style) and have a bit of adventure. There can be no complacency in this world. Not in a world of dinosaurs, spacemen, and cardboard boxes of infinite technological capability.
I suppose I should mention the beautiful and evocative art for a moment, which had a sense of movement, gesture, and impressionistic reality that never failed to jump-start the mind just enough to get it going without limiting the open philosophical questions that we could never quite answer.
I think there must be something to be said for any strip where the most memorable moments were those of inaction and silence. It shows that Watterson expected a lot out of his readers, especially children, and that when we did the work of connecting the dots for him, we were really doing something invaluable for ourselves.
I guess Watterson is off living with his family now, and painting landscapes. I have an idea why he left. Gary Larson, too. I often wish they were still here to help us through these strange and difficult times. Whenever some new horror of inhuman humanity crops up, I want somewhere to go where I can laugh at it, where I can see the big picture, where everything isn't so simple.
In Watterson's comic, it was always the world that was impossibly wide, complex, and unfair. The only simple, rational part--the only important part--was you.
My Suggested Readings in Comics
July 7, 2023
I usually have two or three books going at the same time and often need a break from military history of which I am an avid reader. Something lighter and what better than another re-read of one of the Calvin and Hobbes series since they never get old.
Probably one of the finest comic strips ever, Calvin and Hobbes is iconic and when Watterson decided to retire the characters, there were millions of people (me included) who grieved. So we read all the books over and over and they seem fresh every time! Calvin and his tiger buddy, Hobbes, are doing their best in this entry of the series, to drive his parents, Miss Wormwood (his teacher), and Susie (his female nemesis) over the edge and as usual, almost succeeding. So clever, endearing, and funny that I can't imagine giving this book and all the others anything but a five star rating.
Probably one of the finest comic strips ever, Calvin and Hobbes is iconic and when Watterson decided to retire the characters, there were millions of people (me included) who grieved. So we read all the books over and over and they seem fresh every time! Calvin and his tiger buddy, Hobbes, are doing their best in this entry of the series, to drive his parents, Miss Wormwood (his teacher), and Susie (his female nemesis) over the edge and as usual, almost succeeding. So clever, endearing, and funny that I can't imagine giving this book and all the others anything but a five star rating.
December 18, 2018
The third Calvin & Hobbes collection features the debut of
STUPENDOUS MAN
and the sole appearance of Calvin's Uncle Max. I was always a bit sad that Watterson never used that character again - he has hints of a highly entertaining backstory - but that would mean a surname for the family and given names for Calvin's parents. Watterson considered their anonymity a large contributing factor to their mundane mystique.
In this volume, Watterson mostly abandons trying to incorporate the Sunday strips into the continuous story arcs of the dailies. In the 10th Anniversary Book, he explains how difficult it was to coordinate daily strips and Sunday strips.
It's also here that the Sunday cartoons become ambitious - a favorite of mine is the one where Calvin, while playing with Tinkertoys, role-plays as a wrathful Creator-Titan. Watterson mimics Steele Savage's illustrations from Edith Hamilton's Mythology, only returning to his own familiar comic style on the last panel, where the POV switches to Calvin's parents.
The best character moments are still ahead, but this is still a worthy entry in the C&H canon.
In this volume, Watterson mostly abandons trying to incorporate the Sunday strips into the continuous story arcs of the dailies. In the 10th Anniversary Book, he explains how difficult it was to coordinate daily strips and Sunday strips.
It's also here that the Sunday cartoons become ambitious - a favorite of mine is the one where Calvin, while playing with Tinkertoys, role-plays as a wrathful Creator-Titan. Watterson mimics Steele Savage's illustrations from Edith Hamilton's Mythology, only returning to his own familiar comic style on the last panel, where the POV switches to Calvin's parents.
The best character moments are still ahead, but this is still a worthy entry in the C&H canon.
August 20, 2023
I feel like this was a big jump in quality from the first two volumes (which I also gave 4-stars... but who's keeping track of these things?). I am slowly getting attached to these characters. I love that the parents bring some sense of reality to the strip. There's so many elements pulled directly from life.
One of my favourites I just read has his Uncle commenting on Calvin's imaginary friend Hobbes saying, "sometimes I think all my friendships have been imaginary". As I'm reading these strips, I keep taking photos and sending the strip to friends of mine. I'm sure they're getting a bit fed up with my force-feeding of daily strips.
One of my favourites I just read has his Uncle commenting on Calvin's imaginary friend Hobbes saying, "sometimes I think all my friendships have been imaginary". As I'm reading these strips, I keep taking photos and sending the strip to friends of mine. I'm sure they're getting a bit fed up with my force-feeding of daily strips.
July 4, 2023
This triumph of Bill Watterson and his alter egos, Calvin and Hobbes, made me laugh a lot. However, I decided not to read every single panel. For two reasons:
* Although it was funny, I didn't find it as totally hilarious as other books in this series.
* To my shock, on reading this book, I eventually saw the inscription from Steve and Julene. Discovering that it was given to us as a wedding present. (Do our friends know us or what?) Although my marriage to Mitch is going beautifully, after 33 years the same can't be said for this paperback.
Think yellow. Think crumbling. Sigh!
OVERALL
Some panels emphasized humor; others emphasized satire. I always preferred the latter.
Come to think of it, I've never read funnier satire about young childhood than what I've read by the great Bill Watterson.
I just plain loved this book. I just plan to love more of 'em. (Not the sort of thing I would do with my marriage, but crumbling paper is paper.)
EARLIER, WHEN STARTING THIS BOOK REREAD, I WROTE
Based on fond memories of laughter from a book read decades ago. Now I'm prepared to file a rave review.
I'm looking forward to a re-read. Meanwhile, I'll add to Goodreads one much-loved quote from this superb book.
* Although it was funny, I didn't find it as totally hilarious as other books in this series.
* To my shock, on reading this book, I eventually saw the inscription from Steve and Julene. Discovering that it was given to us as a wedding present. (Do our friends know us or what?) Although my marriage to Mitch is going beautifully, after 33 years the same can't be said for this paperback.
Think yellow. Think crumbling. Sigh!
OVERALL
Some panels emphasized humor; others emphasized satire. I always preferred the latter.
Come to think of it, I've never read funnier satire about young childhood than what I've read by the great Bill Watterson.
I just plain loved this book. I just plan to love more of 'em. (Not the sort of thing I would do with my marriage, but crumbling paper is paper.)
EARLIER, WHEN STARTING THIS BOOK REREAD, I WROTE
Based on fond memories of laughter from a book read decades ago. Now I'm prepared to file a rave review.
I'm looking forward to a re-read. Meanwhile, I'll add to Goodreads one much-loved quote from this superb book.
May 27, 2021
These hugs are the perfect anecdote for a shitty day/week/year.
April 16, 2022
'The spirit of childhood' really does encapsulate exactly what this book has to offer. Whilst it's absolutely kid friendly material, there is just the right amount of adult / parent humour sprinkled in to make it fun for all ages. It's the perfect read if you need that little extra bit of positivity to brighten your day.
Read
October 3, 2023Delicioso.
E, de ano para ano, a leitura só fica melhor. Não há como melhorar a perfeição...
E, de ano para ano, a leitura só fica melhor. Não há como melhorar a perfeição...
March 8, 2023
It took me ages to finish this one. Unlike the first two parts it was a chore to get to the ending. I pitied Calvin's parents mostly and the enjoyment I got from this part and it's witty and humorous sentences was minimal.
December 8, 2016
♥♥♥
These two never disappoint. They really do have the answers to all your woes.
These two never disappoint. They really do have the answers to all your woes.
April 7, 2021
Yup, a hat trick of 5 stars! What else can be expected from Calvin!
This book was especially fun as Calvin reveals his vulnerabilities in many of the panels. His Dad also shows his true impish colours in a few comics. But as always, I pity Calvin's mom the most. Yeah, I know, I'm biased... 😄
On to book 4 of the series!
This book was especially fun as Calvin reveals his vulnerabilities in many of the panels. His Dad also shows his true impish colours in a few comics. But as always, I pity Calvin's mom the most. Yeah, I know, I'm biased... 😄
On to book 4 of the series!
May 29, 2012
I just love this kid's ingenuity and cognition. :)
August 25, 2019
It's Calvin and Hobbes. That says all that needs to be said. Who doesn't love this six-year-old and his stuffed tiger?
January 27, 2016
This is my favorite Calvin & Hobbes, which goes without saying that it is also my all-time-favorite comic book.
Calvin noting in his travel log: "Journey to the Yukon: Day one. Have traveled twenty minutes. No snow so far."
Hobbes suggests adding: "Food supplies low." [while eating the first of 2 sandwiches packed for the journey]
Calvin: "Nevertheless, morale is high as we push north."
Hobbes: MY morale would be a lot higher if YOU'D carry the toboggan [sparking a tussle over the "commander hat." Turn to page 57 to see who ends up with the hat.]
Watterson is a master of the comic strip.
You know his artwork is spot on when a pre-reader is seen giggling over each page.
You know he resonates with the child when your son defends his opinion by citing Calvin's authority in his defense.
You know he resonates with the teen when every copy of Calvin & Hobbes in your house is dog-eared and likely to have torn, if not altogether missing, covers. And that's your second set of the series.
You know he resonates with the adult when you've seen who-knows-how-many power-point presentations that begin with Calvin & Hobbes' philosophical musings as they careen down a hillside on sled or wagon.
Whether you're watching Spaceman Spiff or Stupendous Man, whether you're laughing at the mutant snowmen or Calvin pulling faces, whether the cardboard box is a time machine or transmogrifier, Calvin's imagination takes you for a joyfully wild ride.
As for Hobbes, I'm weighing in with the opinion that Hobbes is real and so I'm very glad that Watterson never gave permission for merchandising. There are no fake Hobbes collecting dust anywhere, giving the impression that his keen intellect is merely a work of Watterson's genius.
Somewhere on the planet, the perpetually 6-year-old Calvin and his timeless Hobbes are barreling down a hillside, discussing philosophy.
Calvin noting in his travel log: "Journey to the Yukon: Day one. Have traveled twenty minutes. No snow so far."
Hobbes suggests adding: "Food supplies low." [while eating the first of 2 sandwiches packed for the journey]
Calvin: "Nevertheless, morale is high as we push north."
Hobbes: MY morale would be a lot higher if YOU'D carry the toboggan [sparking a tussle over the "commander hat." Turn to page 57 to see who ends up with the hat.]
Watterson is a master of the comic strip.
You know his artwork is spot on when a pre-reader is seen giggling over each page.
You know he resonates with the child when your son defends his opinion by citing Calvin's authority in his defense.
You know he resonates with the teen when every copy of Calvin & Hobbes in your house is dog-eared and likely to have torn, if not altogether missing, covers. And that's your second set of the series.
You know he resonates with the adult when you've seen who-knows-how-many power-point presentations that begin with Calvin & Hobbes' philosophical musings as they careen down a hillside on sled or wagon.
Whether you're watching Spaceman Spiff or Stupendous Man, whether you're laughing at the mutant snowmen or Calvin pulling faces, whether the cardboard box is a time machine or transmogrifier, Calvin's imagination takes you for a joyfully wild ride.
As for Hobbes, I'm weighing in with the opinion that Hobbes is real and so I'm very glad that Watterson never gave permission for merchandising. There are no fake Hobbes collecting dust anywhere, giving the impression that his keen intellect is merely a work of Watterson's genius.
Somewhere on the planet, the perpetually 6-year-old Calvin and his timeless Hobbes are barreling down a hillside, discussing philosophy.
November 12, 2022
You have to love Calvin and Hobbes. They're hilarious!
April 20, 2019
Every Calvin and Hobbes comic is a treat and they are all so well done. The details and simplicity that go concurrently into Calvin's drawings alone are just magnificent. It's a quick, but humour-filled ride and not two comics are alike!
March 10, 2017
Read it.
July 26, 2011
Trust Calvin and Hobbes to cheer you up after a bad day! I love the kid and this stuffed tiger...oops.. Hobbes!
April 17, 2019
I remember Calvin & Hobbes being funnier and more enjoyable to read than it is actually is.
October 27, 2024
Calvin and Hobbes never misses.
July 26, 2009
Calvin is the hero of all children with wildly vivid imaginations. He has great fun with his stuffed tiger Hobbes, going on numerous great adventures, including an attempted trip to the Yukon. Calvin is fairly typical in the sense that such children tend to drive their parents and teachers crazy, yet when they learn to temper and channel their imagination, they often end up doing spectacularly creative things as adults.
From the beginning of the book where Calvin is convinced that he and Hobbes have traveled into the future (nope not with a cardboard box) it is too easy to appreciate Calvin's motives. He's not after the secrets of genetic cloning--he's looking forward to floating cities and telling people in the present what he saw. And this is the real beauty of Calvin and Hobbes shows through. It's the quest of a six-year-old to have a good time with a furry friend. Rarely in a comic strip has such devotion and integrity of a kid been so accurately portrayed.
I love Calvin and Hobbes. Period. The philosophy, the juvenile humor, the deep quiet truths, seeing the world through the eyes of a 6 year old. Any Calvin and Hobbes book gets 5 stars from me.
Book Details:
Title Yukon Ho!: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Author Bill Watterson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
From the beginning of the book where Calvin is convinced that he and Hobbes have traveled into the future (nope not with a cardboard box) it is too easy to appreciate Calvin's motives. He's not after the secrets of genetic cloning--he's looking forward to floating cities and telling people in the present what he saw. And this is the real beauty of Calvin and Hobbes shows through. It's the quest of a six-year-old to have a good time with a furry friend. Rarely in a comic strip has such devotion and integrity of a kid been so accurately portrayed.
I love Calvin and Hobbes. Period. The philosophy, the juvenile humor, the deep quiet truths, seeing the world through the eyes of a 6 year old. Any Calvin and Hobbes book gets 5 stars from me.
Book Details:
Title Yukon Ho!: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Author Bill Watterson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
February 27, 2021
Calvin and Hobbes has a way of worming itself into your life when you most need it. I was having a stressful and anxiety-inducing week at work when I found this gem at the bottom of a box of books sent to my ship. Rereading these strips, which I've read throughout many points in my life, nourishes the soul. I am continually surprised at the tenderness, imagination, and intelligence of these strips that still manage to appeal to so many.
Life-affirming and gorgeous. How many books that contain the word "boogers" can say that?
Life-affirming and gorgeous. How many books that contain the word "boogers" can say that?
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.
March 24, 2017
Bill Wattersonin "Erämaa kutsuu" (Egmont, 2009) pitää sisällään strippejä 1980-luvun loppupuolelta. Lelutiikerin ja vähän liiankin hyvällä mielikuvituksella varustetun kuusivuotiaan pojan ystävyydestä syntyy hauskaa, ajatonta, hienosti piirrettyä sanomalehtisarjakuvaa.
October 23, 2010
Do not read in public. People will wonder why you are giggling uncontrollably.
December 19, 2021
اکثر کمیکهای کالوین و هابز روایت زندگی خیلی خیلی عادی یه بچه تخس و عروسک ببرشه. اما هیچکدوم عادی نیستن چون کالوین به بچه عادی نیست، یه شیطان مجسم با رگه های شیزوفرنیک که همیشه دنیای اصلی رو انکار میکنه، از هر فرصتی برای مدرسه نرفتن استفاده میکنه و خلاص شدن از دست مامان باباش هدف بزرگشه تا قبل از اینکه گشنه شه.
من کالوین رو دوست دارم کالوین بچه دوست داشتنیایه (تا وقتی تو کمیکها بمونه) که همه بزرگسالا ارزو میکنن هیچوقت نداشته باشن، این دوست داشتن از همون جنس دوست داشتنیه که برای خواهرزادهام دارم. فرمی که خودش رو توی نقشهاش فرو میبره و خلاقیت عجیبش، به شدت منو یاد خواهرزاده هفت سالهام میندازه، حتی لحظهای این حس رو به من نمیده که شخصیتیه که یه بزرگسال ساختتش، کالوین واقعا یه بچه است و مهارت واترسون در اینقدر دقیق ساختنش به شدت برای من احترام برانگیزه، به خصوص که این کیفیت در روند روزانه در طول چنین زمان زیادی، تقریبا بدون تغییر مونده.
این جلد از دو جلد قبلی تنوع بیشتری داشت، تایم بیشتری هم ازم گرفت و البته لذتبخشتر هم بود.
من کالوین رو دوست دارم کالوین بچه دوست داشتنیایه (تا وقتی تو کمیکها بمونه) که همه بزرگسالا ارزو میکنن هیچوقت نداشته باشن، این دوست داشتن از همون جنس دوست داشتنیه که برای خواهرزادهام دارم. فرمی که خودش رو توی نقشهاش فرو میبره و خلاقیت عجیبش، به شدت منو یاد خواهرزاده هفت سالهام میندازه، حتی لحظهای این حس رو به من نمیده که شخصیتیه که یه بزرگسال ساختتش، کالوین واقعا یه بچه است و مهارت واترسون در اینقدر دقیق ساختنش به شدت برای من احترام برانگیزه، به خصوص که این کیفیت در روند روزانه در طول چنین زمان زیادی، تقریبا بدون تغییر مونده.
این جلد از دو جلد قبلی تنوع بیشتری داشت، تایم بیشتری هم ازم گرفت و البته لذتبخشتر هم بود.
March 31, 2025
Calvin becomes two-dimensional, gets a magic carpet, misses Suzie with a snowball, rides his tricycle through the kitchen, goes to the doctor, recites a poem about tigers, goes camping in the rain, takes a bath, loses Hobbes, gets baby-sat, entertains his uncle Max, and travels to the Mesozoic and of course to the Yukon. And Spaceman Spiff gets captured: "Let's dispense with the pleasantries, you twisted space crustacean."
June 5, 2025
Did I finish this a while ago!? It appears I went to find one of beloved Watterson's collections to visit this year on my birthday and realized I had dated it as starting on my birthday last year. Either way.
Calvin and the crew are back, yes indeed.
Summer for me was eating too much watermelon and sitting on the deck reading Calvin & Hobbes.
Note to self. Repeat.
Calvin and the crew are back, yes indeed.
Summer for me was eating too much watermelon and sitting on the deck reading Calvin & Hobbes.
Note to self. Repeat.
February 18, 2024
"People who are nostalgic about childhood were obviously never children." - Calvin after receiving a clobbering from Moe the bully. I loved these books as a kid and appreciate them now as an adult on a new level.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 338 reviews