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The Call of Cthulhu
From the talented pen of popular deviantart.com contributor R.J. Ivankovic, H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu (for beginning readers) from Chaosium.com.
108 pages, hardback - and in full color!
108 pages, hardback - and in full color!
108 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2016
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353 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
October 28, 2018
I have lost count of the number of copies I have of Call of Cthulhu since after all it is a short story, however upon learning of this "new" edition I had to see for myself what it was all about.
So I can honestly say I have no idea what brought about this project but I must admit its great fun. If I said Dr Seuss I would think just about everyone who frequents this site would recognise the name. So when I say that in this book you have H P Lovecraft meets Dr Seuss you pretty much have the idea of this book in one.
Yes it is the 're-telling' of Call of Cthulhu in the style of Dr Seuss, from the prose right down to the artwork it has it perfectly represented and its great fun. Sure the book has considerably condensed the material but the feel and style of the book is still miraculously conveyed. Sure there will be some scholarly purists out there who hate this book. But for me this is a great way of re-introducing the story to new readers while at the same time raising a wry smile the established ones.
This is a great book and I am happy to place it on my bookshelves - the question is will we be seeing more adaptations?
So I can honestly say I have no idea what brought about this project but I must admit its great fun. If I said Dr Seuss I would think just about everyone who frequents this site would recognise the name. So when I say that in this book you have H P Lovecraft meets Dr Seuss you pretty much have the idea of this book in one.
Yes it is the 're-telling' of Call of Cthulhu in the style of Dr Seuss, from the prose right down to the artwork it has it perfectly represented and its great fun. Sure the book has considerably condensed the material but the feel and style of the book is still miraculously conveyed. Sure there will be some scholarly purists out there who hate this book. But for me this is a great way of re-introducing the story to new readers while at the same time raising a wry smile the established ones.
This is a great book and I am happy to place it on my bookshelves - the question is will we be seeing more adaptations?
January 1, 2018
Dr. Seuss meets the Call of Cthulhu with an emphasis on the former. Well-delivered.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
September 29, 2017
Two of my favorite things
Combined into one,
This insane mash-up
Is really well done!
Combined into one,
This insane mash-up
Is really well done!
September 13, 2024
That was thoroughly delightful! The familiar story, set completely in Seussian-style verse and illustrated in the same style.
It says that it’s for beginning readers, but I think that is meant in jest. Too many big words and of course, the story is a bit…adult.
A good one to add to my collection of Lovecraft “for children”.
It says that it’s for beginning readers, but I think that is meant in jest. Too many big words and of course, the story is a bit…adult.
A good one to add to my collection of Lovecraft “for children”.
October 5, 2017
Dangerously delightful. Might give children entirely the wrong idea about the Great Old Ones. Interesting interplay with the dark side of Dr. Seuss.
January 10, 2019
Dr. Seuss meet H.P. Lovecraft...what a perfect match! Loved the story and it rhymed so well that the kids loved it too!
December 16, 2021
Yes, Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos reimagined as a children’s book illustrated by Dr. Seuss… I’m in!! (I mean, what’s not to like, right??) Five stars just for the concept and execution! With that said, I’m not entirely sure it’s reeaallllly all that appropriate for kids… Maybe older ones? This version is pretty faithful to the content of the original story—what with the cosmic dread and elder gods spelling ominous doom for humanity, and so forth... Read it and judge for yourself. But it’s an inspired literary mash-up, and that’s why I like it.
August 14, 2023
Hilarious adaptation. Brilliant and inspired.
November 30, 2012
The Call of Cthulhu - for beginning readers
By R. J. Ivankovic
Publisher: hasn’t been published yet. Available for viewing at deviantArt.com
http://drfaustusau.deviantart.com/gal...
Published In: N/A
Date:
Pgs: 75
Summary:
A beginning reader parody adaption of The Call of Cthulhu in the style of Dr. Seuss.
Genre:
Science Fiction, Horror, Parody
Main Character:
Francis Wayland Thurston
Favorite Character:
Cthulhu...and the prose style, which is almost a character unto itself
Least Favorite Character:
Nope. Don’t have a least favorite.
Favorite Scene:
When Cthulhu awoke.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
None that I could see
Last Page Sound:
HA! Greatness.
Author Assessment:
I would look at anything else written by him.
Disposition of Book:
Why isn't there a screenplay?:
As a cartoon, I would love to see it. Doubt it’d ever be made, but it could be glorious.
By R. J. Ivankovic
Publisher: hasn’t been published yet. Available for viewing at deviantArt.com
http://drfaustusau.deviantart.com/gal...
Published In: N/A
Date:
Pgs: 75
Summary:
A beginning reader parody adaption of The Call of Cthulhu in the style of Dr. Seuss.
Genre:
Science Fiction, Horror, Parody
Main Character:
Francis Wayland Thurston
Favorite Character:
Cthulhu...and the prose style, which is almost a character unto itself
Least Favorite Character:
Nope. Don’t have a least favorite.
Favorite Scene:
When Cthulhu awoke.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
None that I could see
Last Page Sound:
HA! Greatness.
Author Assessment:
I would look at anything else written by him.
Disposition of Book:
Why isn't there a screenplay?:
As a cartoon, I would love to see it. Doubt it’d ever be made, but it could be glorious.
November 25, 2017
A Dr. Suess version of HP lovecraft's most favorite story.
Wow, imagine reading that one to the kids.
Child: Momma, I'm scared to go to bed.
Mother: Why are you afraid?
Child: Daddy read Catooloo again.
I have spent all day reading about slavery in the American South for a research paper. It is really relaxing to read about monsters that aren't humans.
Wow, imagine reading that one to the kids.
Child: Momma, I'm scared to go to bed.
Mother: Why are you afraid?
Child: Daddy read Catooloo again.
I have spent all day reading about slavery in the American South for a research paper. It is really relaxing to read about monsters that aren't humans.
March 30, 2017
Simple, funny, scary, lovely.
March 4, 2018
Excellent adaptation. Great art and edition. Dr. Seuss and Lovecraft is a perfect match.
January 5, 2025
I got this as a gift from a friend, and I was honestly a bit nervous that it would turn out to be a low-effort cash grab. It would have been very easy for the author to just mash up two Internet-popular things, half-ass some rhymes, and rake in money from anyone looking for a "geeky" conversation piece to put on a bookshelf. Thankfully, this book does not do that.
This adaptation is faithful to the source material, the rhymes are on point, and the art is a wonderful homage to Dr. Seuss. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to share this with my niece at her current age, but I'll check back with her in a few years.
This adaptation is faithful to the source material, the rhymes are on point, and the art is a wonderful homage to Dr. Seuss. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to share this with my niece at her current age, but I'll check back with her in a few years.
December 28, 2023
I’m a big Lovecraft fan and I had no idea something like this even existed! My wife got me this as a Christmas gift. And it 100% lives up to the cover. This beginning readers version of the tale covers all the important beats of the original story, except this time with the iconic rhyme scheme and artwork of a Dr. Seuss book. What’s not to love?
November 16, 2021
What a fun way to read a Lovecraft book. If you still have a little kid inside of you, and like horror, this is for you. I enjoyed it's Dr Seuss vibes and rhythms. The art work is so "Suessian" that it warms the cockles of my heart. I highly recommend it as a fun way to read Cthulhu.
December 31, 2019
Ok, this was fun.
A simplified retelling of The Call of Cthulhu in the writing and art style of Dr. Seuss.
It's mostly an interesting object to own.
A simplified retelling of The Call of Cthulhu in the writing and art style of Dr. Seuss.
It's mostly an interesting object to own.
January 9, 2020
Adorable! Must read for kids of all ages.
July 26, 2020
The Dr. Seuss art style/spoof was excellent
January 22, 2024
My niece liked this book although i fear it will make us both go mad
April 21, 2024
Cute! Now I must re-read The Call of Cthulu.
May 14, 2024
It's deceptively difficult to pull off the Seuss style, but the rhymes don't feel too forced here and the art is varied and delightful. A novelty piece, to be sure, and I've probably griped about who the target audience is for other similar books, but I liked this one, so I guess the target audience is me.
September 19, 2020
Fabulous read. Words and pictures perfectly aligned.
July 1, 2025
At 55 years of age, this is my first exposure to the actual Cthulu storyline. I loved it!
July 14, 2025
Received this as an anniversary present. Very fun.
Would recommend to any parent who wants to introduce their beginning reader to Cthulhu.
For the adventurous and stout of heart.
Would recommend to any parent who wants to introduce their beginning reader to Cthulhu.
For the adventurous and stout of heart.
November 10, 2022
This is a great adaptation.
January 12, 2017
What Dread Zeppelin does for Led Zeppelin, Elvis, and reggae, this book does for H.P. Lovecraft and Dr. Seuss. This book could not exist without H.P. Lovecraft's iconic story, but it is actually better than the original story. Ivankovic has transformed Lovecraft's tale of horror into an eerily perfect imitation of Dr. Seuss' instantly recognizable illustrations and verse. Even the size and shape of the book are perfect for a Dr. Seuss book. I said perfect before, but this book, more than a decade in the making, could not be a better marriage of these two artists. The only defects, if it is a defect, is that the book will be incredibly funny to anyone who has read the original story. I think small children will enjoy it a lot, but just imagine what they will think when they, later in life, read Lovecraft's story. Well, order this book now. If you like weird fiction and have read The Call of Cthulhu, you owe it to yourself to buy this book. And if you know a child into the weird, scary, and peculiar, you will be the world's greatest uncle/aunt/friend if you buy them this book.
And if you have not listened to Dread Zeppelin, it is not too late. Do it now!
And if you have not listened to Dread Zeppelin, it is not too late. Do it now!
December 12, 2018
I've never read "The Call of Cthulhu" and feel like this was probably the Cliff's notes version. After reading "At the Mountains of Madness," where the author rambles on and on with minimal payoff (very anti-climactic), I probably won't read "The Call of Cthulhu," especially now that I've read this very succinct version.
November 29, 2018
My little cultists (ages 4 and 6) have been demanding that I read this to them every night at bedtime! I'm not sure why they love it so much, but they do! It's Lovecraft's tale retold as a Dr. Seuss parody! How cool is that?!?
August 29, 2018
Ever had a mashup of two things that you would never expect to go together, that actually ends up being something awesome? That's my thoughts on this book here.
In this case, the two things one would never expect to go together are, well, "The Call of Cthulhu," and Dr. Seuss' style, in terms of both writing and illustration. Although I haven't read as many of Lovecraft's works as your typical hardcore fan, I am still a fan of him, and if it's not obvious, The Call of Cthulhu holds the top spot. Let's just say there's a reason they call Lovecraft the master of horror, because although slow-paced at times, the stories are really terrifying when they get to the punch. And it's probably the thing you'd least expect to ever be depicted in a Seussian style, which makes the piece all the more worth it.
Ivankovic does an excellent job on emulating Dr. Seuss' art style, and on keeping the entire story in rhyme, to the point you’d almost swear it was done by the man himself himself. His drawings of Cthulhu are appropriately cartoon-y, which makes them entertaining, and the overall work captures the darker aspects of Seuss’ illustrating. Remember Seuss’ darker cartoons, like the Jibboo from “Oh The Thinks You Can Think?” Or the ax-wielding fox from “Dr. Seuss’ ABC?” Even the empty pants from “The Sneetches and Other Stories?” Well, think of those, except they’re depicting beings known in Lovecraftian lore as “Eldritch Abominations.” One picture in particular is of a man digging a hole underground, oblivious to the fact that he’s moments away from eating what can only be described as a large pickle-shaped creature covered in eyes and with two arms - and which the artist still manages to make look menacing. I would be terrified to see that in person, so imagine what a kid would think looking at this. Not that kids are likely to see this book, of course, but still fun to note. What’s more is that if you can cover up the Seussian illustrations and pay attention to what you’re reading, especially if you can ignore the rhyming, you essentially find yourself viewing a simplified, animated version of Lovecraft’s iconic story, which makes it all the more engaging.
Another plus point for the book is that it doesn’t shy away from the scarier parts of Lovecraft’s story - beyond, of course, Cthulhu himself and the whole bit about being driven to insanity, it mentions the part about children being abducted and sacrificed by Cthulhu’s cultists. Parody or not, it's scary to see in a book drawn and written a la Dr. Seuss, and an excellent inclusion.
…there’s really not much else to comment on for the story - the art, rhyming rhythm and writing are all spot-on. If you’re a Lovecraft fan, or just want to see The Call of Cthulhu in a simpler format, buy this book, by all means. If you don’t go mad just by setting eyes on it first, that is.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
In this case, the two things one would never expect to go together are, well, "The Call of Cthulhu," and Dr. Seuss' style, in terms of both writing and illustration. Although I haven't read as many of Lovecraft's works as your typical hardcore fan, I am still a fan of him, and if it's not obvious, The Call of Cthulhu holds the top spot. Let's just say there's a reason they call Lovecraft the master of horror, because although slow-paced at times, the stories are really terrifying when they get to the punch. And it's probably the thing you'd least expect to ever be depicted in a Seussian style, which makes the piece all the more worth it.
Ivankovic does an excellent job on emulating Dr. Seuss' art style, and on keeping the entire story in rhyme, to the point you’d almost swear it was done by the man himself himself. His drawings of Cthulhu are appropriately cartoon-y, which makes them entertaining, and the overall work captures the darker aspects of Seuss’ illustrating. Remember Seuss’ darker cartoons, like the Jibboo from “Oh The Thinks You Can Think?” Or the ax-wielding fox from “Dr. Seuss’ ABC?” Even the empty pants from “The Sneetches and Other Stories?” Well, think of those, except they’re depicting beings known in Lovecraftian lore as “Eldritch Abominations.” One picture in particular is of a man digging a hole underground, oblivious to the fact that he’s moments away from eating what can only be described as a large pickle-shaped creature covered in eyes and with two arms - and which the artist still manages to make look menacing. I would be terrified to see that in person, so imagine what a kid would think looking at this. Not that kids are likely to see this book, of course, but still fun to note. What’s more is that if you can cover up the Seussian illustrations and pay attention to what you’re reading, especially if you can ignore the rhyming, you essentially find yourself viewing a simplified, animated version of Lovecraft’s iconic story, which makes it all the more engaging.
Another plus point for the book is that it doesn’t shy away from the scarier parts of Lovecraft’s story - beyond, of course, Cthulhu himself and the whole bit about being driven to insanity, it mentions the part about children being abducted and sacrificed by Cthulhu’s cultists. Parody or not, it's scary to see in a book drawn and written a la Dr. Seuss, and an excellent inclusion.
…there’s really not much else to comment on for the story - the art, rhyming rhythm and writing are all spot-on. If you’re a Lovecraft fan, or just want to see The Call of Cthulhu in a simpler format, buy this book, by all means. If you don’t go mad just by setting eyes on it first, that is.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
February 12, 2019
I have long-meant to reread “The Call of Cthulhu.” I read it as a teenager, along with much more of the Lovecraftian tradition, and have to admit that I don’t remember a whole lot. Oh, I know all about Miskatonic University and Ry’leh and a whole bunch of other ideas now appropriated by the creators of Hearthstone. But I feel I should know more — these stories are, after all, among the first examples of horror and SF and many subgenres thereof.
What better way to reread it, then, than in this easily accessible style, which I received as gift last Christmas? It is just so well done! It is the story of Cthulhu, but in Seussian rhyme and with Seussian pictures. Seriously, I went and read the original story after finishing this book, just to see how it holds up, adaptation-wise, and the answer is, it holds up ridiculously well. It’s clever, it’s jaunty, but still dark and creepy — it might even be made creepier, in fact, with the colourful illustrations acting as a counterpoint to the nightmares they convey.
I always appreciated this book as pretty much the perfect gift for me. Now I appreciate it as the perfect gift for geeks like me everywhere. It’s funny and charming and just gets me, you know?
Well played, book. Well played.
What better way to reread it, then, than in this easily accessible style, which I received as gift last Christmas? It is just so well done! It is the story of Cthulhu, but in Seussian rhyme and with Seussian pictures. Seriously, I went and read the original story after finishing this book, just to see how it holds up, adaptation-wise, and the answer is, it holds up ridiculously well. It’s clever, it’s jaunty, but still dark and creepy — it might even be made creepier, in fact, with the colourful illustrations acting as a counterpoint to the nightmares they convey.
I always appreciated this book as pretty much the perfect gift for me. Now I appreciate it as the perfect gift for geeks like me everywhere. It’s funny and charming and just gets me, you know?
Well played, book. Well played.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews