Charles Schulz, nicknamed “Sparky,” was the artist behind the Peanuts comic strip for more than 50 years and delighted the world with his popular characters—Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the gang—based on people the cartoonist knew. Readers will relish the opportunity to get the inside scoop on the beloved strip: Schulz wanted to call the strip “Li’l Folks,” but that didn’t fly with his employer; Charlie Brown’s personality was born when Schulz’s marriage proposal was rejected; Snoopy is the character who best mirrors Schulz’s feelings about the meaning of life. Gherman’s clear and direct prose is just right for portraying the life of the famous cartoonist for young readers. The splashy, bright design, with multicolored pages and several of Schulz’s cartoons included, makes this a cheery read that may well introduce the Peanuts comic strip to a new generation, who likely know Charlie Brown mostly through the holiday TV specials. An informative yet lighthearted look at the life of an American icon. (author’s note, bibliography, index) (Biography. 8-12)
