I'm gonna just say it right here once again:
The Family Circus rules.
At least the original version of the strip does. Sure, it has its cloying moments, but in its earliest days, the panel offers some genuine laughs.
Lest you wonder why we are talking about this book here, remember we discussed A Family Circus Christmas way back in our first season!
I dug up this book from my archives and tore through it this week. I loved it!
First off, P.J. rules. OK, so this cover does get at the occasional sentimentality of the strip. Also, though, P.J. IS adorable.
Here's the thing: Even if the gags aren't the best, there is often some kind of amusing facial expression that sells the panel. You get Billy scowling, Jeffy worrying, Dolly being earnest, and many times P.J. just sitting there with a goofy grin. Sometimes the kids are creating a total disaster scene in, say, the kitchen, and P.J. is in the background with a serious facial expression, and that's just as funny.
There are variations on some recurring themes: Kids say darndest things, kids embarrass their folks in public, kids create utter chaos, etc. Keane's drawing is not just affectionate, though, but it's effective. Subtleties in the faces and backgrounds often enhance the joke. Yes, I just referred to "subtleties" in The Family Circus.
It's a great book and about a 5-mintue read. I probably looked at this a lot when I was a kid, and I am paying for it now because it's starting to fall apart. I think I got my parents' 75 cents worth, though.
