Garfield and the Beast in the Basement

by Jim Davis, Nancy Davis, Jim Kraft

When two frightened mice tell Garfield there's a beast living in the house, Garfield warily sets out to investigate

80 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

James Robert "Jim" Davis is an American cartoonist who created the popular comic strip Garfield. Other comics that he has worked on are Tumbleweeds, Gnorm Gnat, Slapstick, and a strip about Mr. Potato Head.

Jim Davis was born in Fairmount, Indiana, near Marion, where he grew up on a small farm with his father James William Davis, mother Anna Catherine (Carter) Davis, brother Dave, and 25 cats. Davis' childhood on a farm parallels the life of his cartoon character Garfield's owner, Jon Arbuckle, who was also raised on a farm with his parents and a brother, Doc Boy. Jon, too, is a cartoonist, and also celebrates his birthday on July 28. Davis attended Ball State University. While attending Ball State, he became a member of the Theta Xi fraternity. He earned the dubious honor of earning one of the lowest cumulative grade point averages in the history of the university, an honor incidentally shared with Late Show host David Letterman.

Davis as of 2007 resides in Muncie, Indiana, where he and his staff produce Garfield under his company, Paws, Inc., begun in 1981. He was married to Carolyn, a singer and elementary teacher whom he met while both were attending college, and has a son named James with her. However, the couple divorced, and Davis since 2000 has been married to Jill, Paws' senior vice president of licensing, who has worked there approximately 25 years.

Ironically, Davis did not own cats when he started Garfield because of Carolyn's allergies, but they owned a Labrador retriever named Molly. With Jill, the family has expanded to include children Ashley and Chris; three grandchildren, Chloe, Carly and Cody; cats, Spunky and Nermal; and a dog, Pooky.

Reviews

[Alejandro Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Garfield as whole. This book was a nice fun read and a way to escape from reading Goosebumps every god damn day (I still love my homie Stine though, dem books fire). So uh yeah this boom is pretty entertaining. I just love my fat furry feline!

[Amber Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one for nostalgia sake. I recall getting some of these Garfield chapter books as a kid from the fall scholastic book fair. Not sure I ever read this one exactly, but I have to give it props for having a not entirely predictable ending like most chapter books for kids have. the gray scale illustrations were also "chefs kiss" with wonderful contrast and details.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Garfield chapter book from the 90s. My favorite of the three is The Wicked Wizard, but this one is a solid second place. Very cute indeed.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book as a little girl. It was the very first chapter book that I read and actually finished. Now in my twenties I still want to find this book and re-read it to bring back happy memories. This is a good read for a young kid, though it might be scary for them, it is more adventure then anything. I remember being glued to the story and finishing it in one day flat.

[Mas5thgrade2011]

This book that I found at the library is funny. Two rats tells Garfield that there is a beast in the basement because they saw eight eyes in the basement. Garfield didn't believe them at first, but when he saw a black shadow, he believed them. Garfiend has been acting curious.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was scary!

[Little Miss and the Legomeister]

I liked how the thought some raccoons in the bacement was a monster.