It's a Magical World

It's a Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection

The last of the collections (unless Bill Watterson comes out of retirement), published in 1996.

Susie has to stay at Calvin's house until her mom gets home. This leads to a special meeting of G.R.O.S.S.. Calvin and Hobbes meet in the box of secrecy this time, in Calvin's room, rather than in the treehouse. The story runs from page 6 to page 11.

Dad rides his bicycle on page 12, and explains the secret to enjoying your job.

An alien visits on page 15, and Calvin sends him to school in his place.

A great night time starscape on page 21. Watterson does a lot with the medium available to him.

Spaceman Spiff's eye-view from the cockpit of his spaceship on page 25.

Calvin wears his lucky rocketship underpants on page 33 (to no avail).

Another view of the inner workings of Calvin's brain on page 41. Lots of little Calvin's in helmets with lights.

Spaceman Spiff and more alien landscape on page 45.

Dad helps Calvin learn to ride a bicycle on page 54. It runs through page 57 and includes a color Sunday in which the bicycle pursues Calvin through the house.

On page 81, we see Calvin's get-ready-for-bed contraption.

A poem about how Calvin's parents are really space-aliens on page 89. Watterson is a genius.

Spaceman Spiff has a computer weapons system that is not user-friendly on page 93.

On page 95, as Calvin dons his Stupendous Man costume, he observes "As usual, the hero business is up to me". *sigh* . . . It's lonely at the top Calvin.

On page 98, Rosalyn the baby sitter returns. She's been gone too long, good to have her back. Rosalyn agrees to play a game with Calvin, and he of course chooses Calvin Ball. Rosalyn turns out to be a match for Calvin once she stumbles into the perimeter of wisdom.

More Calvin Ball on page 109.

On page 112, Spaceman Spiff is stranded on a distant planet where it is nearly impossible to find food. He is saved when he finds ice cream sandwiches.

On page 118, Calvin needs to collect leaves for a leaf collection that's due tomorrow. Aliens land, and Calvin convinces them to bring him a collection of alien leaves, labeled and categorized. The story runs through page 123.

Dad rides his bike again on page 125.

Calvin imagines life in an orbiting space station on page 133.

On page 137, Calvin and Hobbes plan "Operation Kapow" It's Top Secret! (if only it would snow).

Calvin and hobbes search for wierdness on page 149, and are about to give up until Dad goes by on his bicycle.

Snowman bowling on page 156.

Possibly the best drawn sled ride ever on page 157.

Remember the aliens Calvin sold the Earth to on page 118? Well they are back, and they feel they were greatly overcharged. Probably true.

Santa discusses Calvin with his elves on page 161.

Calvin caves to conformity and makes a generic snowman on page 162.

A sordid snowman story on page 164.

The book (and our adventure with Calvin and Hobbes) ends on page 165 with a final toboggan ride. Farewell Calvin! Farewell Hobbes! You will live forever in our hearts and minds . . . .

There are also Treasury books!