Books On Board
series Reading Order

Calvin and Hobbes Books in Order

18 Books
1987 – 2005 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read Calvin and Hobbes

Because the daily and Sunday strips were published chronologically, reading Calvin and Hobbes is straightforward. However, the way these strips were collected into books can be confusing. The series was published in two primary formats: smaller original collections and larger double-volume anthologies called "Treasuries." Depending on your budget and formatting preferences, there are two main ways to experience the entire run.

Path 1: The Treasury Route (Most Practical)

This is the most cost-effective and popular method for collecting the physical books. It combines the three large "Treasury" books (which compile the first six original collections and feature full-color Sunday strips) with the five subsequent standalone books (which were never compiled into Treasuries because they already included color Sunday pages).

  1. The Essential Calvin and Hobbes (1988) — Collects the strips from Calvin and Hobbes and Something Under the Bed Is Drooling, plus an original illustrated poem.
  2. The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes (1990) — Collects the strips from Yukon Ho! and Weirdos from Another Planet!, plus a unique story where Calvin turns into a female.
  3. The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes (1992) — Collects the strips from The Revenge of the Baby-Sat and Scientific Progress Goes "Boink!", plus a collection of poems.
  4. Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons (1992) — Standalone collection.
  5. The Days Are Just Packed (1993) — Standalone collection.
  6. Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat (1994) — Standalone collection.
  7. There's Treasure Everywhere (1996) — Standalone collection.
  8. It's a Magical World (1996) — Standalone collection.

Path 2: The Complete Collection (The Definitive Experience)

If you want every single strip in chronological order without worrying about overlapping volumes, the easiest route is to pick up The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (2005). Originally released as a three-volume hardcover set and later as a four-volume paperback box set, this compilation features every newspaper strip ever printed, along with all the original artwork, poems, and essays from the Treasuries.

Path 3: The Original Publication Order

For collectors who want to read the books in the exact order they were released, you can follow the original paperback publishing order. Note that the Sunday strips in the first six individual books are printed in black and white, whereas the Treasury versions printed them in color.

  1. Calvin and Hobbes (1987)
  2. Something Under the Bed Is Drooling (1988)
  3. Yukon Ho! (1989)
  4. Weirdos from Another Planet! (1990)
  5. The Revenge of the Baby-Sat (1991)
  6. Scientific Progress Goes "Boink!" (1991)
  7. Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons (1992)
  8. The Days Are Just Packed (1993)
  9. Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat (1994)
  10. There's Treasure Everywhere (1996)
  11. It's a Magical World (1996)

Special Retrospectives and Formats

In addition to the main collections, Watterson released a few special volumes that offer unique content, behind-the-scenes commentary, and high-quality art reproductions:

  • The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book (1989): A collection focusing purely on Sunday strips from 1987 to 1989. It includes a custom, multi-page Spaceman Spiff story that cannot be found in the chronological collections.
  • The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book (1995): A retrospective containing curated strips chosen by Watterson, accompanied by his extensive commentary on the characters, the creative process, and his philosophy on syndication and licensing.
  • Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages 1985-1995 (2001): Prepared as an exhibition catalogue, this book features Watterson's personal favorite Sunday strips. It displays Watterson's original hand-drawn sketches on one page, complete with visible corrections and guidelines, with the final colored strip on the facing page.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the difference between the Calvin and Hobbes Collections and Treasuries?

The Collections are smaller, original books containing strips in chronological order. The early ones print Sunday strips in black and white. The Treasuries are larger books that compile two of the early collections into one volume, printing the Sunday strips in full color and adding exclusive bonus content like poems or stories.

QWhere should I start reading Calvin and Hobbes?

If you want to read the entire series, start with The Essential Calvin and Hobbes (which collects the first two books) or jump straight into the first volume of The Complete Calvin and Hobbes box set.

QWhich Calvin and Hobbes books have unique content not found in the newspaper archives?

The three Treasuries contain exclusive poetry and short stories. Additionally, The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book features an exclusive 10-page Spaceman Spiff story, and the Tenth Anniversary Book contains extensive essays and commentary by creator Bill Watterson.

QIs there a chronological order vs. publication order difference?

No. Both the original paperbacks and the Complete collections present the comic strips in the chronological order of their newspaper publication. The only exception is the themed collections like the Lazy Sunday Book or retrospective exhibition books.

QAre there any co-authored books or spin-offs?

No. Bill Watterson single-handedly wrote and drew every single strip. He famously refused to license the characters for merchandise, meaning there are no official spin-off comics, cartoon shows, or co-authored books.

QHow many Calvin and Hobbes books are there in total?

There are 11 original collections, 3 Treasuries (which compile the first 6 collections), 3 special retrospective/exhibition books, and the final Complete Calvin and Hobbes box set, making 18 major books published by Andrews McMeel.