Bøker utgitt av Andrews McMeel Publishing

Dogs and comic strips enjoy a long history together. But leave it to the highly creative mind of cartoonist Steve Watkins to come up with a "dawg" like no other. Watkins''s pooch is none other than DJ Dog, a down-on-his-luck, ex-rap star canine forced by circumstances beyond his control to become a permanent houseguest in a suburban family household. Talk about culture shock! Watkins pulls off this unlikely scenario in his hot comic strip, Housebroken, which captures fans everywhere it appears.

Soccer is the hottest trend in years, and Bill Hinds''s comic strip Cleats finds endless humor in the sport''s rowdy but lovable players, coaches, and parents. Cleats follows the trials and tribulations of a thoroughly contemporary team: Abby Harper, a competitive but kind 11-year-old on a select soccer team; Jack Dooley, Abby''s 10-year-old neighbor, who''s determined to move up from his recreational team to a select team; Armando "Mondo" Ruiz, a talented player who continues his family''s tradition in the sport but prefers to remain on a rec team; Coaches "Bull" Tippit, a granite-jawed retired military man, and earnest Chester Nordling. Given soccer''s soaring popularity, Who Tracked Soccer Through the House? A Cleats Collection is sure to score.

A little bit of Lola lives inside all of us. Now, if we could just discover how to let her out! Lola''s the 70-something firecracker who graces a comic strip by the same name. She''s snappy. She''s quick with a comeback. She not only knows exactly what she wants, she gets it with great regularity.Now with American Idle: A Lola Collection, Lola delights readers with more than a year of her best single-frame and strip senior adventures. She''s full of her trademark vim, vigor-and vinegar-every step of the way. This aged wonder may live with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, but she follows no one down the path of life. Where man has gone before-be it bowling, a favorite park bench, or behind the wheel-this cigar-chomping woman will go . . . faster, more fearlessly, and with far more attitude.

Somewhere between here and anywhere, in a trailer park called "The People''s Court," lives a bespectacled, floppy-footed girl named Agnes. Her age falls exactly between the wide-eyed times when fairy tales are embraced as truth and the darker, later years when cynicism starts to take its toll. The other players in this small sideshow are Grandma, a hardworking, underpaid Golden Ager who worries that she may be a little too old for the challenge of raising a granddaughter, and Trout, Agnes''s best friend. Trout was named after one of her father''s biggest passions and, according to her, she was only three numbers from being christened Powerball. Trout tries to temper Agnes''s stigmatism of hope with her own doctrine of realism. Together they weather the major tribulations that only childhood can make so monumental. Trout aspires to pilot a soft-serve ice cream machine so all the kids will laugh and yell "Hey, Ice Cream Lady!" Agnes merely wants to be crowned lord queen of the unknown universe. They will probably end up on different bowling leagues.

Ferociously Close to Home delivers McPherson's trademark take on the absurdities of everyday life. To say that his solutions to these perplexing situations is 'out there' is an understatement. Consider Gina, who decides a branding iron will be the ideal memory aid for her birthday date-challenged husband. And poor Lanny, whose treadmill session is interrupted when he inadvertently triggers the health club's offensive odor alarm. McPherson has long walked the line between grotesque and goofy. But somehow, his figures with big noses and bulging eyes connect with readers with a surefire magnetic precision. Whether it's health care or parenting, dating or car repairs, Close to Home delivers McPherson's warped world without fail.

The little kid with the giant personality is back! Hey, James! is the second collection of acclaimed comic strips from the award-winning pen of cartoonist Mark Tonra. James may or may not be the center of the universe-as he thinks-but there''s no arguing that he is indeed at the heart of one of the most inventive "kid" strips to hit the funny pages in almost a decade.With his equally lovable and quirky conspirators along for the ride, James explores the world and himself-laying bare the fragile and eccentric humanity in all of us. In a neighborhood where shirt gerbils prance and hungry shadows raid refrigerators, James chugs life like a summertime slurpy-without the brain freeze.Using his clean spontaneous pen line, Mark Tonra again marries insight and whimsy to deliver a book that''s both hilarious and enlightening. Hey, James! is a satisfying celebration of every reader''s inner and outer child. Enjoy!

Start with an everyday occurrence, add several helpings of absurdity, a few cups of silliness, and a dash of sickness and you get Close to Home. The goofy people and brilliant humor of this single-panel strip have put smiles on the faces of readers. This kooky collection, Close to Home Exposed, captures the hilarity of some of its best cartoon panels. As the comic's name suggests, Close to Home provides humor that's comfortable and familiar; yet the strip also has a palpable element of danger or nonsense. Topics vary widely, from health care and parenting to car repairs and shopping. But whether it's addressing dating or death--or just as likely, dating and death--Close to Home always delivers the off-center laughs its readers have come to expect."Close to Home is always a scream, and I love the goofy people that you draw. Truth is, I work with a lot of these folks." --Tom D."Where do you come up with these comics'! They are totally stupendous and are a big part of my stupid and nauseating life. You're the best!" --Sleepless in New York"Every day you make me laugh!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" --An Online Fan

""Sometimes I feel like I should build a parking lot in front of my medicine chest and open a pharmacy.""-LolaDon''t mess with Lola. She''s too old for you to be asking, she bucks stereotypes like a bronco, and she suffers adult sons, daughters-in-law, and potential suitors badly.In Old Age Isn''t for Sissies, Lola continues her brash march through life, stepping over proper diet, exercise, and political correctness. She''s a take-no-prisoners, cigar-chomping, beer-on-the-doily kind of gal who will whack you with her cane if given half a chance. But Lola''s lack of charm is her most charming trait-and what makes her such a delight to fans of all ages.

Cartoonist Jerry Van Amerongen is an intellectual cartoonist with a loopy sense of humor and a richly subtle drawing style.In Minnows in the Bath, Van Amerongen gathers together his best canine cartoons. The droll dogs of Ballard Street are often hailed as among the cartoonist''s strongest characters. Dogs who wear hats, dogs that catapult from trampolines, and dogs that outthink their human counterparts highlight Van Amerongen''s humorous way with hounds.Through his comedic canines, Van Amerongen wants to share his world."Some of the messages are profound; some are just plain silly. Some are geared for big laughs; others a quiet smile," the cartoonist says. "It''s what''s rattling around in my brain at the time."In 1980, Jerry Van Amerongen left a successful career in corporate America to work full-time on his cartoon The Neighborhood. After a decade, he decided it was time for a change, so he began developing Ballard Street. A graduate of Ferris State College, Van Amerongen lives in Minneapolis.

Whether working through the daily disorders of home, school, or office, the Fox family manages to put its special spin on the rigors of the world. Setting the comic tone are mom Andy, whose heroic efforts to make tofu into the fifth food group are legend, and dad Roger, who is a human hazard on the golf course and a threat to the workings of all technologically driven devices. Filling out the cast are the younger Foxes: the eldest and football star wanna-be Peter, shopping guru Paige, and last-but never least-Jason, the family brain trust and his trusty iguana friend, Quincy. Each sports his or her own eccentricities, from Jason''s Internet stock, Jasonzonbayhoo dot com, to Peter''s teeth-chattering coffee addiction to Paige''s harrowing adventures in baby-sitting.

Where there is stress, humor is not far behind," holds Close to Home creator John McPherson. And thanks to his stressed-out cast of characters, readers everywhere find something laughable, hilarious, and oftentimes downright knee-slapping in McPherson's single-panel snapshots of a loony world.Take the soberness of a former circus performer's funeral, the idea that a health club would have an Offensive Odor Alarm, or absurd hospital insurance policies. McPherson has the eye-and the twisted mind-to capture such scenes in ways that both shock and amuse his readers.McPherson does it with The Close to Home Survival Guide, an aggregation of his lumpy figures, with their long faces, protruding noses, and bulging eyeballs, parading down that fine line between grotesque and certifiably goofy. Everything from family life and dating to car repair and medical emergencies provide fodder for the wackiness in this essential collection and guide. 

Everyone can relate to having a family member with an unusual hobby or habit. The Fox clan is no different. The youngest Fox is Jason, whose best friend is an iguana named Quincy. His sister, Paige, is a shopaholic. The oldest Fox sibling is Peter, whose stomach is a bottomless pit. But perhaps the most unusual of all is level-headed mom and official family mediator, Andy, who is working through her obsession with the movie Titanic. A slave to her emotions, she is brought to tears at a mere hint of the soundtrack and attends multiple movie screenings each day. This leaves well-meaning husband, Roger, struggling to live up to her new romantic expectations. All of this is par for the course in the hilarious but hectic Fox household.What makes the Fox clan so entertaining? They''re just like us-only funnier-with no sappy sentimentality. Readers can''t help but recognize a little bit of themselves in this family strip with its good-hearted, if not eccentric, characters. The Foxes deal with everything from sibling rivalry to marital disagreements over golfing habits to sharing time on the computer, always making us laugh in the process.FoxTrot has amassed a colossal audience of fans of all ages who eagerly turn to this hilarious strip, whether in newspapers or on the Web. New fans and loyal readers alike will enjoy I''m Flying, Jack . . . I Mean, Roger, a FoxTrot collection. Together, the Fox family provides a witty window on the realities of home life today.

Housebroken comes with a hip attitude and sharp sense of humor that appeal to younger audiences, yet it has crossover appeal to readers of all ages who identify with the off-the-wall antics.The worlds of hip-hop and suburbia couldn't seem further apart . . . and that's just what makes Housebroken so doggone funny. Cartoonist Steve Watkins plunks down DJ Dog, his plucky ex-rap star canine, into the middle-class Watson family, and a whole lot of grumbling, growling, and cultural ""enlightenment"" takes place. Gangsta Yoga with DJ Dog is the second regular collection of Watkins's nationally syndicated strip, and this book promises the same successful combination of hilarious laughs and crossover sales as its predecessor. DJ Dog may be a warm and fuzzy puppy at heart, but his ""ruff"" edges leave something to be desired when it comes to harmonizing with Mya, the nine-year-old daughter of the Watson family and CEO wannabe. DJ often teams up with Mya's seven-year-old brother, Malik, to oppose her get-rich schemes, which include selling Girl Scout cookie-backed securities. Whether he's teaching yoga positions, such as ""Duck from Driveby,"" or taking over the elementary school orchestra and renaming them the ""Murderers Bows,"" this hip-hop pup is bound to be funny.

As the American mainstream tilts gradually right, Prickly City takes its place as a humorous voice for the masses. Creator Scott Stantis' first collection captures the issues and arguments of the George W. Bush political era era from the viewpoint of a little girl and a cute coyote. Never shy about commenting on sensitive and controversial political and social events, Prickly City is timely and humorous. This collection of the conservative strip draws from today's political current and gives readers plenty of reasons to laugh. Carmen, a straightforward, sensible kid, and her unlikely best friend, Winslow the innocent coyote pup, frolic and tussle in the American Southwest while discussing hot-button issues such as condoms in schools, violent video games, gay marriage, and highly contested presidential campaigns. As Carmen might say, ""We may not be correct but we will always be right.""Prickly City creator Scott Stantis has emerged as an up-and-coming conservative social and political voice.

""Monkeys are uniquely suited for cocktail parties. They are able to hold a beverage in one hand, hors d'oeuvres in the other, and greet fellow guests with their feet. And yet they get invited to surprisingly few cocktail parties.""-Bo Nanas It's a jungle out there, so . . . bring your copy of Bo Nanas: Monkey Meets World. This hilarious collection of comic strips chronicle the adventures of Bo Nanas, a three-foot-tall talking monkey, who swings through life with wit and a gentle perspective. Tackling whatever life throws him-be it strange jobs, weird relationships, or even genetically engineered bananas-our hero maintains a wry sense of humor. As Bo handles everything from annoying cell phone users to teething babies, readers are sure to see a bit of their own lives in this boldly drawn, prize-winning comic strip. Who, for example, hasn't tried to do an act of kindness only to have it blow up in their face? Bo spies a sad little puppy tied up in a yard and decides to treat him to a day of movies and amusement parks only to find himself in the back of a police car for his troubles. Work can also be a challenge. When Bo takes an office job he finds himself to be the only available male in the building and thus the center of attention for a bevy of single female coworkers, sizing him up to see if he'll ""take to domestication."" After winning the FineToon Fellowship in 2002, Bo Nanas began syndication in May 2003 through the Washington Writers Group. Bo Nanas: Monkey Meets World is a must have for anyone who loves monkey business.

Some call it weird. Others, eclectic, creative, hilarious, laugh-out-loud funny, and good old-fashioned snort-milk-out-your-nose humor. Whatever adjective you apply to Close to Home, it has become one of the most popular comic panels in the funny pages today.Close to Home has devout fans that range from elementary students to octogenarians. As one fan put it, "I feel like you have been looking in my window and are drawing my life!" Though by no means a Peeping Tom, John McPherson does have the unique skill of being able to take those idiosyncrasies of daily life that drive us all nuts and infuse them with razor-sharp wit.In When Bad Things Happen to Stupid People John features angry letters from readers, cartoons that were killed by the editor, a glimpse inside his creative process, and never-before-seen photos of his erasers, quill pens, and his lucky drawing slippers. Who could resist it?

A Boomer's Guide to Grandparenting welcomes baby boomers to the grandparenting game. The Zullos have tapped fellow boomer grandparents and leaders in the child care and grandparenting fields to share their expertise and help recent grandparents find success and enjoyment in their new relationships with their children and grandchildren. We are your typical boomer nana and papa," say authors Kathryn and Allan Zullo, "younger, healthier, wealthier, and better educated than our grandparents. We are more active and less formal than our own parents were at our age. We no longer fit the traditional image of our elderly kin." That description signals the need for a new kind of grandparenting, a role that The Boomer's Guide to Grandparenting fills to perfection. The experts and grandparents cited throughout the book tailor their guidance and recommendations to fit the boomer sensibility, covering topics such as: * Defining your role and image as a grandparent* Understanding the latest trends in child care* Achieving harmony with your children and their spouses* Engaging in high-tech grandparenting* Coping with stepgrandparenting* Dealing with grandchildren in nontraditional households* Caring for great-grandchildren Filled with expert advice, A Boomer's Guide to Grandparenting provides a smooth transition into grandparenting and sets the stage for successful relationships and experiences for the entire family.

Phoebe, Marigold, and Marigold's sister, Florence Unfortunate Nostrils, are headed to summer drama camp where they'll face the daunting tasks of writing, producing, and acting in an entirely original play.

A collection of Peanuts comic strips featuring Charlie Brown and his friends.

Snoopy helps the Peanuts gang in a series of adventures, including eating the largest sandwich ever and searching for a home for his mysterious brother, Spike.

Meet Ozy and Millie, two middle-grade students in Seattle who also happen to be foxes. This debut comic from Phoebe and Her Unicorn creator Dana Simpson centers around these two best friends as they take on the everyday challenges all middle-graders face—bullies, tests, and the dread of going back to school after a surprise snow day. Millie is a mischievous and inquisitive 10-year-old with a talent for evading homework, a habit of questioning authority, and a knack for inventing bizarre jump rope rhymes. Ozy is her calm, thoughtful counterpart, whose adoptive father, a red dragon named Llewellyn, is full of odd stories and ancient wisdom. Also featured are Felicia, a sheep at the head of the cool clique, and Avery, a hapless raccoon who desperately wants to be popular. Together they offer charming and fun stories while also allowing Simpson’s sweetly philosophical humor to shine through. Evocative, funny, and gently philosophical, Ozy and MIllie will delight young readers with tales of friendship and school-age fun, while transporting older fans back to the honesty, openness and wonder of childhood.

From humble beginnings rise four Fruit Ninjas, ready to rediscover the long-lost art of Juice Jitsu. Their mission: to unlock hidden powers through the slicing of fruit and to protect their neighbors from everyday villains they weren’t even aware of! With a juice stand as a front for their crime-fighting missions, the ninjas grow to learn that it is what makes you unique (and even a little bit weird) that ultimately makes you strong.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR!The school year is winding down, and Nate can’t wait for summer vacation:  baseball, beach trips, and…overripe bananas?  Yuck! Turns out Nate has a problem with fruit that’s past its prime.  And that’s not all that’s bugging him.  Kim Cressly is making Chester jealous at Nate’s expense, Artur is challenging him in the Hunny Bursts mascot contest, and his replacement social studies teacher is none other than Coach John.  In banana terms, it’s all left Nate feeling a little bruised.  Can he make it to summer without slipping up? Join Nate and the gang for more shenanigans in this newest collection of Big Nate comics!

More than 11 million women run regularly, a number that's growing every year. They tend to be educated and affluent-the perfect audience for Sole Sisters.Half of all runners are women, and they are changing the face of the sport. It's a social outlet, a healthful way to improve mental well-being, and an opportunity to form bonds with like-minded women.Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running is a gripping collection of stories that captures the inspirational heart of the women's running. Authors Jennifer Lin and Susan Warner have interviewed women of all ages from all walks of life and all parts of the country. All of their subjects have one thing in common: Running has transformed them. There are both heartrending stories of grief and survival and lighthearted tales of friendship. Among them are:* Sisters who competed in a 5K race to honor a sister who survived breast cancer.* A 9/11 widow who ran her first marathon to honor the memory of her husband.* A 65-year-old woman who overcame obesity and alcoholism to finish the grueling Ironman triathlon.* An unknown runner from Norway named Grete Waitz who decided to run a marathon-and changed the face of the sport.Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running is not just for women who run. It appeals to all women who know what it means to have the support of others who share their trials and triumphs. Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running is sometimes touching, sometimes funny, and always inspiring.

"These strips appeared in newspapers from October 6, 2013, through March 29, 2014."--Copyright page.

For more than 30 years, WonderWord has delighted and challenged puzzle players every day. Each puzzle is built by hand from legendary puzzle creator David Ouellet. Each puzzle is also themed, often bringing in pop culture and trending topics. Monday through Saturday puzzles are a 15x15 grid, and on Sunday the puzzle jumps to a 20x20 version for even more game play. Get lost in the most essential, habitual, and enthralling puzzle! WonderWord is great for all ages.