The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

<B>This spectacular deluxe edition celebrates the 75th anniversary of <I>Peanuts </I>and the life, art, and legacy of Charles M. Schulz, and comes packaged with unique bonus materials.</B><BR/><BR/> Extras include: 8 ready-to-frame prints, 5 vinyl stickers, 8 postcards, an iron-on patch, a full-color comic book, and more!<BR/><BR/> Beautifully designed in a deluxe gift-ready slipcase, this one-of-a-kind 336-page full-color hardcover collects more than 700 images, including Schulz’s most iconic comic strips and related ephemera.<BR/><BR/> Award-winning author Mark Evanier provides insightful and entertaining <I>Peanuts</I> cultural and historical context. An introduction from Patrick McDonnell, a foreword by Jean Schulz, and appreciations and remembrances from key figures in the world of <I>Peanuts</I> make this book a unique milestone in <I>Peanuts </I>publishing.<BR/><BR/> Seventy-five years since the first <I>Peanuts</I> strip made its debut on October 2, 1950, the beloved comic and its iconic characters remain a touchstone for generations around the world.<BR/><BR/> From cultural milestones such as NASA’s <I>Apollo 10</I> lunar and command modules being named after Charlie Brown and Snoopy to the classic holiday specials that continue to draw millions of viewers, <I>Peanuts</I> has a lasting influence that few works of art or literature can claim. The power of these iconic characters is also evident from the popularity of modern-day animated movies and iPhone shorts, and even the Gen Z phenomenon of so-called “Snoopy Girls.”<BR/><BR/> This official book celebration of the 75th anniversary of <I>Peanuts</I> is produced in collaboration with Peanuts Worldwide and the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California.<BR/><BR/><I>“Not many cartoons live into the next generation, and that probably is the best definition of art, isn’t it? Does it speak to succeeding generations? Real art, real music, real literature, speaks to succeeding generations.” –Charles M. Schulz</I><BR/><BR/> The book includes original contributions by <B>Robb </B><B>Armstrong</B> (Franklin), <B>Derrick Bang</B> (Vince Guaraldi and <I>A Charlie Brown Christmas</I>), <B>Rob </B><B>Boutilier</B> (<I>The Snoopy Show</I>), <B>Paige </B><B>Braddock</B> (Schulz’s pen line), <B>Alberto </B><B>Brambilla </B>(<I>Peanuts </I>in Italy), <B>Benjamin </B><B>L. Clark</B> (<I>Peanuts</I> paperbacks), <B>Alexis E. Fajardo</B> (selecting the essential <I>Peanuts</I>), <B>Ben </B><B>Folds</B> (the sound of <I>Peanuts</I>), <B>Sarah</B><B>Gillespie</B> (editing Schulz), <B>Chip </B><B>Kidd</B> (design of <I>Peanuts</I>), <B>Amy </B><B>Lago</B> (editing Schulz), <B>Mike </B><B>Massimino</B> (Snoopy and <I>Apollo 10</I>), <B>Akio </B><B>Matsunaga</B> (<I>Peanuts</I> in Japan), <B>Jeff </B><B>Morrow</B> (scoring <I>Peanuts</I>), <B>Hilary B. Price</B> (Peppermint Patty and Marcie), and <B>Shuntarō </B><B>Tanikawa</B> (Poet laureate and translator of <I>Peanuts </I>in Japan).