Rating: 
Summary: Another great collection
Review: As a long time fan of the strip, I always enjoy the collections that are put together. This collection is on par with the rest and captures the many happening in the Patterson family.It's full of laughs and a bit of history and lots of fun. I highly recommend looking through this book on a rainy day with a warm cup of tea. :] Makes you smile.
Rating:
Summary: a TRUE picture of growing older
Review: As always, Lynn Johnston captures the essence of a family whose members are maturing. She treats with especial sympathy the subject of young Gordon, an abused boy who has grown into a successful businessman and a wonderful father, even weaving into the storyline that his parents have gone into rehab for their alcohol problem. While there are conflicts, as anyone with siblings or multiple children knows, it is a joy to see some maturation between the older two's relationship. Also, I love seeing the community involvement, such as when Elizabeth helps with the foodbank and Michael works on a project to enlighten others as to the Canadian past. One of the final panels depicts all 3 of the Patterson children working together to cook dinner for Elly - and is a treat - and very true to life.
Rating:
Summary: a TRUE picture of growing older
Review: As always, Lynn Johnston captures the essence of a family whose members are maturing. She treats with especial sympathy the subject of young Gordon, an abused boy who has grown into a successful businessman and a wonderful father, even weaving into the storyline that his parents have gone into rehab for their alcohol problem. While there are conflicts, as anyone with siblings or multiple children knows, it is a joy to see some maturation between the older two's relationship. Also, I love seeing the community involvement, such as when Elizabeth helps with the foodbank and Michael works on a project to enlighten others as to the Canadian past. One of the final panels depicts all 3 of the Patterson children working together to cook dinner for Elly - and is a treat - and very true to life.
Rating:
Summary: Fans will relish this collection
Review: Fans of Lynn Johnston's 'For Better or For Worse' comic strip about a family's interactions and aging will relish this collection, which provides black and white strips from some recent comics. While truly avid fans may find little new here, The Big 5-0 gathers cartoons from 1998 through 1999 and any who have missed a few will certainly find some 'new' material.
Rating:
Summary: Fans will relish this collection
Review: Fans of Lynn Johnston's 'For Better or For Worse' comic strip about a family's interactions and aging will relish this collection, which provides black and white strips from some recent comics. While truly avid fans may find little new here, The Big 5-0 gathers cartoons from 1998 through 1999 and any who have missed a few will certainly find some 'new' material.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT! THROW PIES AT APRIL!
Review: I have been an avid fan of Lynn Johnston's for years. Her exceptional, nonpareil drawings and appealing (with the exception of April) characters have set new standards for comics. The parents have reluctantly traded youth for late middle age and appear to have done so in a realistic, sympathetic fashion. Mike and Liz have matured into appealing, responsible adults and one can certainly relate to the issues they contend with. Grandpa Jim is a delightful senior citizen who breathes fresh hope and commands respect for all seniors, real and drawn alike. He is a most welcome addition to the regular cast. He is truly a treaasure. Edgar, the dog and Mr. B., the bunny are a riot! I love the way that rascally rabbit chases the dog! He bites Edgar on the nose and makes a shambles out of that living room. I love that rabbit! April is the one exception. I find her a fresh mouthed princess. Instead of helping Elly when she goes through "the change," Princess-pie demands a raise in her allowance. I have never once seen her pitch in around that house and everybody caters to her. She wears babyish overalls and has past the age where one can realistically say "gots" and expect others to find it cute or acceptable. Her long-suffering sister often takes the blame for April's misdeeds and the nasty brat has never once owned up to anything she has done. She provokes other kids and gets away with sheer murder. I really don't like her. I love the suporting cast. Gordon is my favorite. He has matured from a geeky kid who was retained a year into a successful businessowner, husband and father. He is the cartoon version of a success story. Hurray for Gordon!
Rating: 
Summary: i LIKE April!
Review: I've sort of grown up with FBOFW, being basically the same age as Michael. My mum turned 50 this year so i found the book of appeal for that reason as well! Personally, i like April. She's a good kid that is trying to grow up in a hard world where on one hand she is supposed to know all the things a teenager is supposed to know, deal with knowledge that most of us didn't encounter until we were much older, deal with a throw-away culture and on top of that remain a child to fit the stereotype we hold of little girls. I worked at a primary school for a little while and i think Lynn has trully captured the dualistic nature of kids today. So leave April alone!:-) The book is great, although i'm not sure why 50 flamingoes, is there some sort of symbalism involved there? Is it a Canadian thing? If so, probably a bit of clarification for us other fans would be a good idea!:-)) Love the strip, love the book!
Rating:
Summary: April Cost This One Star
Review: I, too, dislike April. It's good that other people have pointed out the pipsqueak's shortcomings. I think she makes Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes look like a pure little angel. She really asks for it. She's the one who made up that stupid song about Jeremy. It would serve her right if he fixed her wagon. Somebody should. She rides roughshod over everybody and contributes nothing. I think she needs a good wet towel across the face and across the rump. All the other characters are good, solid, sympathy inducing and realistic. You love them. When it comes to being decent and considerate, that is where stupid little April gets off the train. You might want to put her outside with those pink flamingoes.
Rating:
Summary: April Cost This One Star
Review: I, too, dislike April. It's good that other people have pointed out the pipsqueak's shortcomings. I think she makes Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes look like a pure little angel. She really asks for it. She's the one who made up that stupid song about Jeremy. It would serve her right if he fixed her wagon. Somebody should. She rides roughshod over everybody and contributes nothing. I think she needs a good wet towel across the face and across the rump. All the other characters are good, solid, sympathy inducing and realistic. You love them. When it comes to being decent and considerate, that is where stupid little April gets off the train. You might want to put her outside with those pink flamingoes.
Rating:
Summary: APRIL IS THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT
Review: This is a delightful comic series with believable characters. It is a good sign if any characters cause strong reactions and responses from their readers. I, too, dislike April. April is devious and sassy and often provokes others. I don't think she's a good kid. She is a spoiled little brat who needs a bun warming session. She's a good literary example of what overindulgence can do -- create a sense of entitlement and no respect for others. AztecPrincess said it best -- April is a spoiled brat who has no respect for anything. The rabbit and dog chases are funny. Mr. Bunny Rabbit is a scream, the way he hops after that dog. It's a good thing the two species get along so well. Mr. B. is the best fictitious rabbit to ever grace the funny pages! Drawings of the rabbit really show the sense of speed and motion -- another nod to a great cartoonist. Grandpa Jim is the best of the family characters. It is such a refreshing treat to see a senior citizen with a regular voice in the funnies. One of the best ones appeared in the paper on Veterans' Day, when he says the lucky ones came home. I also like the one on Memorial Day when he remembers dancing in his sergeant's uniform with his late wife, Marian. Hip, hip, hooray for Grandpa Jim! The rest of the bunch are equally delightful, but for different reasons. Liz and Michael bring home the realities of college, job and impending marriage; they are wonderful characters who have never once lost their senses of humor.
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