The Last Basselope: One Ferocious Story [Hardcover]

Berke Breathed (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

In a second picture book by the author of A Wish for Wings That Work, Opus and the gang from Bloom County venture into the woods to capture the dreaded basselope and discover something about the nature of self-invented boogeymen.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-- This modern fable will primarily appeal to fans of Breathed's comic strips. Glowingly surreal illustrations decorate the slight story and enhance the comedy of the fairly simple plot. Otis the penguin, along with his friends Ronald-Ann, Bill the Cat, and Milquetoast the Housebug, sets out in search of a prehistoric beast known as the Last Basselope. Once found, the beast turns out to be friendly rather than ferocious, and the intrepid adventurers decide to protect rather than exploit it. Breathed's sense of humor is delightfully sarcastic and sophisticated, but it may be missed by some younger readers. They may, however, find the sheer silliness of the tale appealing and enjoy the chance to see in book form some of the familiar characters from Bloom County and Outland. Older children and adults are more likely to appreciate the satiric view of television, print media, and contemporary society's materialistic values. Clearly, though, the usefulness of this title will depend upon the popularity of the author and the likelihood of patron interest and demand, for it is an extension of Breathed's work rather than a truly independent effort. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv); 1st edition (September 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316107611
• ISBN-13: 978-0316107617
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #682,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Berkeley Breathed lives and works in Santa Barbara, California and is the proud owner of a gentle pit bull named Ridley, a deaf dachshund named Milly, and a refugee mutt from the Puerto Rican streets named Pilar--splendidly flawed dogs, every one.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a shame this is out of print, December 10, 2000

By 

Eric Johnson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Basselope: One Ferocious Story (Hardcover)

I don't understand why this book would be out of print. All of Breathed's books should always be in print, if just for the sheer richness of the illustrations. I can't say enough about how great the illustrations are in all of his books. This one is no exception.

This is a very heartwarming story about Rosebud, the last basselope (a basset hound with antelope horns and a penchant for dandelion fluff). In this book a troop of "fearless" adventurers go on a quest to find the last basselope. Opus, then penguin, Bill the Cat, Ronald Ann, and Milquetoast, the cockroach, all are looking for Rosebud. They are expecting a horrible beast, but learn that rumors can't always be trusted.

In the end, it's a story about true friendship. I recommend this, and any other work by Breathed (especially his children's books for kids and Bloom County for everyone). You won't be dissapointed.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Laugh Out Loud Basselope Story, June 21, 2005

By 

ReadingTub Reviews (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Basselope: One Ferocious Story (Paperback)

Opus is hunting for the world's last basselope, a creature so fierce, so mean, that in olden times "the mere sight of one of them in a dinosaur neighborhood would inspire ripsnorting dinosaur pandemonium lasting for weeks." This is a story of misunderstanding and discovery. If you remember Opus and Bloom County and the basselope, Rosebud, this is for you. It will takes you back twenty years. Breathed does a fantastic job with the artwork, and the story is exquisite, too. On it's surface it is just a fun book to read together and laugh out loud. Without too much of a stretch, you can teach kids about what happens when creatures misunderstand each other.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite picture book, July 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Basselope: One Ferocious Story (Hardcover)

Full of beautiful pictures and humor, this book is for "kids" of all ages. Colorful cast including a basset-antelope dandelion eating creature that can float! This book also contains a moral... I don't know what it is, but it's there. READ IT!