Customer Reviews

Frazz: Live at Bryson Elementary

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I don't remember anymore how I discovered "Frazz"--I think it was when somebody was speculating that Bill Watterson has come out of retirement and is drawing a new strip. It's hard not to believe that of "Frazz" (actually by Jef Mallett)--the art style is evocative of C&H, and so is the smart, insightful and slightly off-kilter writing. The character Frazz, a successful songwriter who keeps his job as a janitor because he likes the kids, even resembles a grown-up Calvin (but no Hobbes is in evidence--in fact, Frazz occupies a role similar to that of Hobbes: a wise but still cool and fun friend to all the kids at Bryson Elementary, while the Calvin role is neatly filled by Caulfield, the bright eight-year-old who finds learning fun but school hopelessly boring.)

What impresses me most about "Frazz" as a strip is the sheer *intelligence* of the writing: some of these strips you have to *think* about for a few seconds after you read them, and that *aha*! moment is something I don't see nearly enough in comic strips these days. You might even learn something while reading "Frazz," but you won't even notice because you'll be too busy chuckling. This first collection is great and I look forward to collecting many more.

If you are not familiar with Frazz (or Mr. Frazier) the Janitor at Bryson Elementary School, let me take a moment to introduce you. Frazz is a triathlete, a song writer, a poet, a literary buff and, surprisingly, a janitor at an elementary school. He is into healthy living, good food, good fun, and loves a good battle ball/eraser fight. He is the shining star of Bryson and is loved by all the kids there. He is a better teacher than some of the other paid staff at the school.

I sometimes think that Frazz is a grown up Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbs)

I really love Frazz. This collection allowed me to catch up on a lot of the old Frazz cartoons. Mr. Mallett's drawing style is very consistent from beginning to end. His humour is always gentle, loving caring, thoughtful and morally sound. The lessons Frazz provides to the kids of Bryson elementary school are deep, valuable, honest, socially responsible, healthy and usually indirect and subtle. If I take the time, I even learn new words from Mr. Mallett.

My teens also love Frazz. Then again, they like Garfield a lot too, so there is no accounting for taste.

My family and I will be reading and re-reading this collection of Frazz cartoons over and over again in the coming weeks.

Gotta love Frazz!

Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, the Far Side...and Frazz. This one is a multi-dimensional keeper. Jef Mallett puts you in the playground of his wonderful characters and lets you and your imagination join in the fun. His humor is sometimes subtle and sometimes overt. I've been a convert to the strip for quite a while now. I'm ordering this book for my library and for my friends. If you like your comics cute, smart and sweet, Frazz will satisfy everytime.

If this book doesn't make you bust out laughing call your Doctor because your funny bone is broken. Jef Mallet has that rare quality you don't see in most strips, he's hiliarious on every level.
The artwork is superb! You can tell Frazz is a labor of love for Jef. You will be blown away by the detailed art gallery level graphics he adds to the strip. I wish the book could have been done in color.
You can identify with his characters no matter your age or gender. Frazz is truly a great book for the whole family.

I think this is the best comic strip in the world. It is really well drawn and very funny! I shared this book with all my friends at my school and they all loved it. You should read this book because it is fun. My dad even likes it!

Frazz is an elementary school janitor who quotes literature and competes in triathalons. Caufield is a precocious third-grader who knows it all and doesn't see the point of hard work. Together with the rest of the teachers, students, and guinea pig Lyle, they make up the cast of the best comic strip out there. Classics like "Snoopy," "Garfield," and "Calvin and Hobbes" will always be around to comfort and offer a laugh, but this new star outshines them all.

Each strip will make you smile at least, and most likely also laugh aloud, reach for the dictionary, search out an author online, or - once in a while - wince as you see yourself in the butt of the joke (but not without the smile).

I'd recommend this book especially to teachers and to those who love learning. It's odd to compare "Frazz" to "The West Wing," as the tone and topics are completely different, but if the TV show makes you both feel smart and want to learn more, then the comic book will too. Plus you can share "Frazz" with the kids.

If you haven't been blessed enough to find "Frazz" in your newspaper, you can read it online daily (though older strips are hard to find), but this book is a must for fans. See how the characters have changed in drawing style (eg: Frazz's nose) and lifestyle (eg: remember when he was too scared to ask Miss Plainwell out?). The book also contains an amusing introduction by the author and an enlightening forward by Gene Weingarten.

I ran across Frazz online--and by accident. I could see the cartoon squashed up and (probably like many) I thought I was looking at an old Calvin & Hobbes strip.

Frazz is an independently wealthy singer-songwriter who spends his days as a janitor at Bryson Elementary.

Not only is the strip flat-out funny, but there a number of cultural and literary references for those looking for an 'inside joke'.

Any collection of Frazz would be a joy. This was my first.

I really would rate this a 7! It's also really good to see children put in a good light. All parents and teachers should read this and the second one.

My first encounter with Mr Mallet's work, and definitely a case of love at first sight. I'm astonished at how deeply Mr Mallet can make his characters come alive, while still being at least as funny and deep as any other of my favourite comics.

For months, I've been asking why I couldn't find a Frazz anthology. Thank goodness I found this one on Amazon. This is one of the best "thinking person's" strips I've found. If you're a Calvin & Hobbes or Peanuts fan, you'll love Frazz. The strip is multi-generational in its appeal and can produce reactions as varied as a loud guffaw to a thoughtful "hmmm". I've already purchased another copy to give as a gift.