Calvin and Hobbes

I had aspirations of making comics for Marvel or DC, but could never get a handle on drawing realistically. So I found inspiration in newspaper comics, one in particular.

Calvin & Hobbes is a work of art, and the perfect representation of childhood creativity. But Calvin’s imaginary tiger is only the tip of the iceberg here. Between his life-sized dioramas of snowmen acting out, to cardboard transmogrifiers, Calvin’s wicked imagination just spoke to me. And Bill Watterson helped jet-propel me down my own artistic path.

For reluctant and waning readers, graphic novels and comics are the key.

Calvin and Hobbes is so witty, so sharp in illustration, so charming. It’s really one of those delightfully layered works that can be enjoyed at any age.

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes set includes a fifteen-plus page introduction by Bill Watterson which details his way into comics, how Calvin and Hobbes came into being, and why he decided to end it—an incredible story in itself that older kids may find interesting. 

Who doesn’t like Calvin and Hobbes, a fun comic strip about a silly first grader and his sidekick best buddy tiger? Calvin and Hobbes is heartwarming, mischievous, and speaks to every kid with their imagination and sense of adventure. Plus, the reason why I put it on this list: it’s easy to read. The engaging, four-panel comic strips are a digestible size for someone struggling with word comprehension. Not only is Calvin a lovable and relatable character with his little adventures being dynamic, action-packed, and hilarious, it’s proven to engage any reluctant reader. I can attest as Calvin and… show more.