The Revenge of the Baby-Sat: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection

Calvin and Hobbes #5

by Bill Watterson

Part of the Calvin and Hobbes collection.

Genres: Comics, Humor, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comic Strips, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Bill 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.

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was crushed when Watterson decided to discontinue the Calvin and Hobbes series of comic strips for adults, so I bought all the trade paperbacks. I ran into one the other day while dusting some book shelves (not my favorite activity). I had read it before but these characters never get old and are iconic as far as I am concerned. So over lunch, I read it again (only 128 pages) and it was just as enjoyable as the first time. If you have never dipped your toe into the world of Calvin and Hobbes, you are missing quite a treat. Witty, wise, and whimsical......highly recommended.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once more Calvin and his stuffed pet Tiger, who is a real tiger in his fantasy, are at it again. Various topics come by the titular Babysit Rosalyn who strikes terror in the heart of Calvin and Hobbes, and yet it is they who are the terror to babysitters and only one girl fiercely stands up to Calvin and Hobbes and babysits him and gets paid very handsomely I might add.
The are the Days leading up to Christmas in which Calvin tries to puts on his best behaviour with various disastrous results. There is the matter of snow fun, how fast holidays tend to pass, trouble at school and of course Calvin dreaming of being a spaceman, dinosaur or even losing to gravity. Overal you know when Calvin is around mayhem is following him and his poor parents try to manage him as good as they can.

Another sheer brilliant collection of a boy and his best friend.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's safe to say that I will read every Calvin and Hobbes book that has ever been written and none of them will ever receive a rating of less than 5 stars.

[Exina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Calvin who never wants to bathe, or go to bed, let alone wake up, and go to school. He philosophizes on problems such as how could Santa Claus finance his business, and why do the ants work constantly?

I also love Hobbes who pounces on Calvin every day, and I guess he is Calvin’s better half, at least he is trying. (“We’ll get in trouble...”)



My absolute favorite in this volume is Calvin’s Mother’s Day poem (“Did you notice the part about my allowance?”).

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the usual delightful and poignant Calvin hijinks are in this collection in addition to a couple rather honest emotional strips that kind of amazed me in their honesty (Calvin's parents' unease after returning from vacation to find their home was broken into; and, little moments like Calvin asking his mother to tell him she loves him before he comes down out of the tree expecting to be in huge trouble). Normally, I find myself identifying with Calvin or Hobbes, but this volume reminded me how well Watterson captures parenthood.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike what the title suggests, Rosalyn's story is just for a few panels. But no worries at all. Because the rest of the book is filled with awesome moments with Calvin's mom and dad. This one is the best Calvin book so far.

[Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know as there are some things which never fail in cheering you up? A hot chocolate on a cold night, some leisure time laying on the grass on a sunny day, a cold beer with a friend and a Bill Watterson's book. I've been under extreme pressure lately, so I took some time to revisit this two friends of mine - and what a visit!

Calvin & Hobbes take me back to a time when everything was simple: childhood. We then grew up, life got in the way, things got complicated, and much of the innocence was lost along the way. The eyes which used to see everything from a child's view has now changed despite our efforts to remain the same.

While reading this books, I feel like looking at the world through a child's lenses. I only desire that we would use it a little more in our busy adult life. The world would for sure be a better place for everyone. Thank you, Bill Watterson, for this opportunity.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Calvin and Hobbes. Freakin' Awesome as always.

[Ritika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood is short and maturity is forever.
-Calvin

[Soph Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this so many times as a kid that it’s falling apart, and I still laughed at most of the punchlines - a timeless classic for the ages.

“I think most hiccup cures were really invented for the amusement of the patient’s friends.”

[Lamont Tueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot go wrong with Calvin and Hobbes

[Riddhish Bhalodia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being wise is proportional to the number of Calvin and Hobbes read-through.

[Anthony Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. This series just doesn't have peaks and troughs, it's all great.

[PurplyCookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter how many times I read them, I can never get tired of Calvin and Hobbes. They're funny, creative, and are always getting into some sort of situation that could just about get them grounded for life. "The Revenge of the Baby-Sat" offers such adventures as that in a funny and entertaining way.

This is the fifth installment of the "Calvin and Hobbes" series, and it just gets better every repeated reading. The title of this book refers to the classic sequence of strips in which Calvin plots revenge on his "demonic" babysitter by kidnapping her homework and threatening to flush it down the toilet. Hobbes, wisely, tries to opt out of the operation.

There are more adventures, and more significant discussions between the characters. Here we have the up and downs of winter, vengeance against Rosalyn the babysitter, a propeller beanie, unstoppable hiccups, another boring week of camping, a little incident with Calvin's parents' car, and a chilling break-in of the family's house.


Book Details:

Title The Revenge of the Baby-Sat: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Author Bill Watterson
Reviewed By Purplycookie

[The other John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one's my favorite Calvin and Hobbes collection. In it, Mr. Watterson tries his hand at a couple of more "serious" storylines, namely the "Propeller Beanie" tale and the sequence in which Calvin's home gets burgled. I think he handled both tales well, melding realistic events with Calvin's weird take on reality. And, of course, there's the usual Calvinity afoot, including the origin of G.R.O.S.S. (I would have thought that institution had started earlier in the strip's history. Good thing I'm rereading the collections so I can get things straight, eh?)

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about Calvin and Hobbes that has not already been said? I grew up reading about Calvin's crazy adventures and imaginative world. When I became a father I bought these for my son and he has a pile of Calvin and Hobbes books that are splashed all over his bed. He sometimes comes out of his room laughing and wanting to show me "another one", and I have enjoyed reading them all over again, especially with my son.

[Shayantani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a terrible day?
Great, read Calvin and Hobbes.
Works like magic!

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin is all of us in some way as a kid. I love reading 10 pages each morning to start my day. my highest recommendation to anyone that has a sense of humor. Highly recommended

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very few comic strips that is just as enjoyable as an adult as when I was a kid.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? It's Calvin and Hobbes so it is great! Lots of laughter and diabolical schemes tried (and usually failed) by Calvin. Have read many times, and will definitely read again.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calvin and Hobbes may be skilled adventurers, but even their abilities may have met their match with Rosalyn, the feisty no-nonsense babysitter his parents have hired - though even her presence can't stop this pair from getting into plenty of wacky antics! Watterson is sure to bring plenty of joy to fans with the increasingly insane on goings of his ever popular, ever troublesome duo. What Rosalyn doesn't find out won't hurt her...

[Taddow · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels great to end the year with some Calvin and Hobbes. I'm sure it's got to do with some nostalgia of a simpler time when I read these as a kid, but the magic is that the humor is still there despite the decades that have passed.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always avoided C&H; thought it wasn’t my kind of humor. After having a kid though, I’m enjoying it much more. The one where his parents are grappling with the fact that they figured growing up meant they would always know what to do and turns out we’re all just doing our best spoke to me on so many levels as a parent. Cheeky little family.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s classic Calvin and Hobbes. Anyone that has an imagination as a kid can relate. Having kids just like him just makes it even better.

[alicebme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am starting to think that maybe we shouldn’t have let our kid read these when she was little. Lol. Calvin is a tormented lil kiddo.

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best comic book in the world

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic.

[inouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will forever be Calvin’s inside demons number one fan.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down with the babysitters!