Art Spiegelman (author of Maus and comics legend in his own right) once said, “[Charles] Schulz is as Norman Rockwell as it gets, and yet he also gets very close to the bone, to the essence of what happens in comics.” A true cartoonist’s cartoonist, Charles Schulz brought an insight and psychological complexity to his Peanuts daily strip that is perhaps lost in the midst of its overwhelming popularity and broad appeal. Debuting on October 2nd, 1950, Peanuts introduced us not only to the anxious and beloved Charlie Brown, but a cartoon world full of wit, sarcasm, and emotional honesty that was rarely seen in newspaper strips of the time—or now, for that matter. Schulz would go on to write and draw Peanuts for the next 50 years, even adopting a rougher, squigglier style as his health deteriorated in the 1980s. Today, Peanuts continues to be one of the most popular comic strips of all time, and has recently seen the release of new comics, cartoons, and some impressive reprints of the original daily comics. Celebrate all things Peanuts (and Charles Schulz’s birthday) this Good Grief Day by diving into the books below.

For more great comics, make sure to check out the offerings of your local Library branch as well as the hoopla app.