Customer Reviews

Family Circus Library, Vol. 1

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have always loved reading the Family Circus in the comics and buying the books but until now I only saw strips from the 1970s forward - It is fun to see how the characters have evolved since they started in 1960. I got the book for Christmas and I kept telling myself I will read just one more page and then I will put it down but I couldn't stop myself - now I guess the best I can do is haunt Amazon until Vol. 2 is published.

I've only read one page of this book so far, but I can absolutely say this is the funniest book ever published. I literally laughed for a half hour after reading just one cartoon - picture this:

PJ is talking to his mom and he says... wait for it... "What else did I do that was funny when I was little"

Oh jesus that is good stuff. Pure comedic gold. I mean I don't know where to start, for one PJ is ALWAYS doing something funny. Second, he is STILL LITTLE. OMG Bil Keane, you've got me going again, I can't stop LAUGHING.

I would warn against the elderly reading this as it may induce a heart attack. Also children should avoid this book. I would only suggest those in the most peak physical condition even pick up this book. All others should only do so within the supervision of the most skilled health care professionals.

I grew up in the 1970's loving the Family Circus. It was far and away my favorite comic strip. I recently introduced my 7 year old daughter to my old Family Circus Treasury and she loved it. So I bought her the Family Circus Library Vol. 1 and she absolutely adores it. She has read it from cover to cover at least 4 or 5 times in the short time we've had it. Can't wait to buy her volume 2 when it comes out.

I've always enjoyed The Family Circus, and seeing it now in chronological order from its very beginning is great. This book is nicely printed and bound, and has excellent background notes (with photos) regarding the origin of the strip. Not only are these early strips cute and funny, but also reflect life during the time period with references to the Kennedy/Nixon election, bomb shelters, Khrushchev, etc. This volume is worth every penny - I can hardly wait for the next one!

I am finding this a hilarious book, even more so than modern Family Circus cartoons. I think much of the material originates from the artist's kids as they were growing up.

It's become fashionable to knock The Family Circus in recent years. Sure, it may be wholesome and corny, but it probably doesn't deserve the venom that some people direct at it. But that's today's Family Circus; this book is The Family Circus from 50 years ago. It is still recognizably the same comic panel that is around nowadays, but with some significant differences. The most notable difference is that the father (named Steve) doesn't look anything like he does now (now named Bil). The kids were about two years younger 50 years ago, and baby P.J. wasn't born yet. It's easy to see why this became the most popular comic panel of all time; it's cute and funny and (dare I say it?) GOOD.

IT's really my fault for not having checked the description even more. I bought this vol.1 because the author died, but all it really includes is cartoons from 1960-61. I was intending to buy a volume with just non-stop comics. Not so much, however it was my fault.

I always loved these books as a child & thought of them often while listening to my own children. When my husband saw this new hardcover edition, he bought me two of them for Christmas. Here it is March, & already we have had to repair the bindings because they are so poorly constructed. The back binding is not strong enough to support the extra long pages. Also the paper & plastic coating is peeling off the spine & edges. Such great books deserve a stronger binding, especially at this price.