Fly, You Stupid Kite, Fly!

(Peanut Parade Book 6)
by
Charles M. Schulz

Holt Rinehart Winston, 1976, 186 pp.
ISBN: 0-03-018106-2

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Comic Strip / Humor
Reviewed: 10/9/2005

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Comic Strip

Synopsis

Fly, You Stupid Kite, Fly! is a collection of Peanuts comic strips. This book includes cartoons from You're Out of Your Mind, Charlie Brown from the years 1956 - 1959 and But We Love You, Charlie Brown from the years 1957 - 1959. All of the comic strips appear in black and white. The first two thirds of the book are Daily comics and the final third of the book is Sunday comics.

This collection contains the following storylines: Snoopy the Vulture, Dear Pencil-Pal, Bugs are so Fascinating, Organizing the Team, List of Faults, Beethoven's Birthday, I'm a Fanatic, Dogs and Cats, and High Fly Ball for the Championship.

On October 2, 1950, Peanuts debuted in seven newspapers and ran until January 3, 2000 when Charles M. Schulz bid a fond farewell to all his readers in the final daily Peanuts newspaper strip. On February 12, 2000, Charles Schulz died on a Saturday evening, of complications from colon cancer in Santa Rosa, CA. He was 77 years old. On February 13, 2000, the final Sunday Peanuts newspaper strip appeared. "Charles M. Schulz (b. 1922) is the most widely syndicated cartoonist in history, with his work appearing in over 2,300 newspapers. He has published more than 1,400 books, won Peabody and Emmy awards for his animated specials, and is responsible for the most-produced musical in the American theatre, entitled "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown". And all this diversity and recognition and continuous success began over 50 years ago." (Illustration House)

Review

Growing up, I had a ton of the smaller Peanuts books. I would read them along with Archie, Richie Rich, Casper and Hot Stuff. I was never a fan of the superhero books until much later. I like to laugh and have a good time with my comics. Peanuts always entertained me.

I especially loved the early Peanuts from the 1950's and early 1960's. The characters were new and fresh and Schulz drew them a little differently from what they finally became. There was no Sally, no Peppermint Patty, and no Woodstock; all characters that never grew on me. But Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Snoopy, Pig-Pen, those were the characters I loved. Fly, You Stupid Kite, Fly! contains the characters I love so much.

When picking the comic strip displayed above, I had five to choose from, and I had a hard time deciding because they all made me laugh. I love it when Linus finally beats Lucy, as she usually dominated him with her temper. That always bring a smile to my face.

So, if you too want to smile, find a copy of Fly, You Stupid Kite, Fly! by Charles M. Schulz. Get to know the Peanuts gang and prepare yourself for a good time.