PEANUTS VOL. 10: 1969–1970

He turns up first as Snoopys secretary, then gradually becomes a good friend whom Snoopy helps to fly South . . . but its not until 22 June 1970 that the little bird gains a name, in a perfect salute to the decade that ends with this volume: Woodstock! In other timely stories, Peppermint Patty runs afoul of her schools dress code (those sandals!), Lucy declares herself a New Feminist, and Snoopys return to the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm on a speaking engagement climaxes in a riot and a new love found amidst the teargas (She had the softest paws...). Speaking of Snoopy, this volume falls under the sign of the Great Beagle, as three separate storylines focus on the mysterious sovereign of Beagledom. First Snoopy is summoned by a wrathful G.B. when Frieda submits a complaint about his (Snoopys) desultory rabbit-chasing efforts; then, back in the Great ones good graces, Snoopy is sent on a secret mission; and finally he himself ascends (briefly!) to the mantle of Great Beagledom. In other news, an exasperated Lucy throws Schroeders piano into the maw of the kite-eating tree, with gruesome results... Miss Othmar goes on strike and Linus gets involved... Charlie Browns baseball team has an actual (brief) winning streak... Snoopys quest to compete in the Oakland ice skating competition is thwarted by his inability to find a partner... Charlie Brown goes to a banquet to meet his hapless baseball hero Joe Shlabotnik... Snoopy is left in the Van Pelt familys care as Charlie and Sally Brown head out of town for a vacation... and (alas) the Little Red-Haired Girl moves away... This volume also features a new introduction by renowned illustrator Mo Willems and, as always, gorgeous design by award-winning cartoonist Seth.