The Last Basselope: One Ferocious Story

by Berkeley Breathed

The ripsnorting adventure of Opus & the Great Basselope Expeditionary Force, who set out in pursuit of the last descendant of an ancient & ferocious race. From the creator of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Bloom County. 12" x 9". Color & b&w illus.

Genres: Humor, Picture Books, Comics, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Comic Strips

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Guy Berkeley "Berke" Breathed is an American cartoonist, children's book author/illustrator, director, and screenwriter, best known for Bloom County, a 1980s cartoon-comic strip which dealt with socio-political issues as seen through the eyes of highly exaggerated characters (e.g. Bill the Cat and Opus the Penguin) and humorous analogies.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opus and pals have a grand and colorful adventure searching for the legendary Basselope, a "ferocious" beast who has a taste for human flesh dandelion fluff.

[Spudsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated.

Maybe if we took the time to get to know the monsters we fear we'd discover allergies are at the root of all problems.

[Zachary Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childrens books from when i was a child.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of my all time favortie reads when I was young. Just recently I read it again, which reminded me why I kept it for so long. Not only is the story funny and memorable, the artwork is one of a kind and will captivate you, as well as place a smile on your face. If you are looking for an unique children's book with a heart warming story and beautiful illustrations, this is one that should be on your list. Don't forget to look on the back of the book to see a "real" photo of the Last Basselope.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great narrative. The only parallel from Breathed's catalog that I recall is A Wish for Wings that Work. This is one of the stories that will pull on the heartstrings so long as a reader has heartstrings upon which to pull. I wish that there was another story in which Rosebud the Basselope could make his return to the forest where Opus and his friends played.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way more cute than you'd expect an author to be able to stuff into a picture book.

Seeing this, and other Breathed picture books, always makes me wonder what other cartoonists would do with a larger canvas.

[Phillip Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ran across a copy of this book at a thrift store and, having always had an inexplicable fondness for Opus the penguin, had to pick it up.
It is a fun book with delightful illustrations which I will be sharing with my grandchildren.

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, quirky story, just not as loveably quirky (to me) as some of the others that I have read by this author. Terrifying ancient creature = basset hound with allergies, who has to live a lonesome existence far away from others to avoid capture. Sad.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much as a child that at 6 years old I refused to give it back to the library and instead asked the librarian how much it was and proceeded to collect that amount in various change. It was a very happy day when I could say that book was mine and I still absolutely love it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another cute Bloom County children's book about a ferocious Basselope.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I have used it in seventh-grade classrooms as a read-aloud. I love this book for more than that, though. It has heart.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time favorite book as a child, that I begged my dad to read to me almost every day.
Ingrained in my heart the idea that some things are best left... undiscovered.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first cartoon-type book Mom ever liked. Alissa was captivated. The vocabulary was challenging.

[Donna Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Carolina Boys loved listening to this book, it kept their attention

[Caffers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended for ages 7 - 9.
The story was okay, the artwork fun to look at.
I'll share with my grands, as I am obviously not the target audience.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 5 out of 5]

what's not to love about the creativity, the characters, the story....?

[Mags C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites from childhood! I recently bought it as a baby shower gift & can confirm upon re-reading that it remains charming. Opus forever!

[Möwgli Skräp · Rating 5 out of 5]

childhood deepcut, heavy flashbacks

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

a classic that i grew up reading

[Tony Ehmke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most hilarious and heartfelt books I remember from my childhood. Berkley Breathed (normally a comic strip artist at the time) is such a witty and brilliant writer, the creator of the lovable character Opus the penguin, who embarks with his friends on a journey to capture the Last Basselope, a mythical beast they believe will acquire them honor and fame. In the end, they discover not a beast but a friend, one that they will never forget.

The story is filled with wonderfully written vocabulary, read along with beautiful illustrations that keep young readers anxious for more. And for parents, the humorous dialogue and the even more humorous pictures to match will keep readers entertained for many years to come. A definite must-have for any family.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably can't be objective about this book because I faithfully read Bloom County in the paper every day from the age of about 10 and it influences my speech and sense of humor to this day. But my three year old seems to love it. The vocabulary is much more advanced than in most small children's books, the drawings are beautiful and full of subtle jokes, and hopefully the book will instill in my children a strong desire never to appear on reality TV.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just got this from Paperback Swap and it holds up as well as I remembered. BB does great kid-lit (in addition to having drawn my favorite comic strip ever, "Bloom County") and he knows the way little kids think. Although I think Ozzie's going to hurt something if he keeps holding his breath to inflate his non-existent antlers. <3

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the hilarious tale of Opus, the explorer penguin, and his friends as they try and succeed in finding the Last Basselope. A Basselope is a huge, ferocious beast that eats cows whole! What they actually find is a dandelion-loving Bassett Hound with antlers. Hilarious!

[Jillian Zeidner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding children's book. I read this constantly as a child and recently rediscovered it on my shelf. Let me tell you, it has stood the test of time. A little-known but excellent book for everyone. Go read it!

[Annchan Maulana · Rating 5 out of 5]

i know this book on 2003, when i visited my elementary friend. I found it on her book shelf in her room. I like the cover, i love penguin, and childrens book never be bored to read over and over ^^

[Ross Economy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even more awesome than thought possible

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book. Ever.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all these books. We've had these books for years, but our kids are just now old enough to understand them. They are really fun.

[Maris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boyfriend read this to me. It was super cute. Probably because he was reading it to me...but, nonetheless, I liked it.