Who Was Charles Schulz?

By Joan Holub, Who HQ and Tim Foley

Learn more about the cartoonist who created Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the lovable Peanuts gang in this new addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series!

Charles (otherwise known as Sparky) Schulz always loved drawing from the time he was a young child, and as he grew older, he turned this passion into a phenomenally successful career. His early doodles of his mischievous dog and of a shy boy inspired two of his most familiar and beloved characters, Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Here's the story about Peanuts gang and Charles's life that's sure to excite all readers but especially those who love the classic cartoon series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
• Release date: Mar 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9780451532558

Joan Holub

Joan Holub is the author and/or illustrator of over one hundred thirty books for children, including Apple Countdown and Wagons Ho! She is also the author of the acclaimed Goddess Girls series (coauthored with Suzanne Williams), which includes twelve titles such as Athena the Brain, Medusa the Mean, and Aphrodite the Diva.  

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Cover for Who Was Charles Schulz?, Author, Joan Holub; illustrated by Tim FoleyBook Title, Who Was Charles Schulz?, Author, Joan Holub; illustrated by Tim Foley, Imprint, Penguin Workshop

PENGUIN WORKSHOP

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, New York

First published in the United States of America by Penguin Workshop,

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, New York, 2022

Text copyright © 2022 by Joan Holub

Illustrations copyright © 2022 by Penguin Random House LLC

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021049002

ISBN 9780451532541 (paperback)

ISBN 9780451532565 (library binding)

ISBN 9780451532558 (ebook)

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

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For Paul Holub, a Snoopy fan. A huge thank-you to super-smart Jane O’Connor—JH

For Kirk Rose, my first drawing buddy—TF

Contents

Who Was Charles Schulz?

A Boy Called Sparky

A Love of Drawing

War and Work

Selling Comics

Charlie Brown and Lucy

Everything I Am

Good Times, Bad Times

Changes

Happiness Is . . .

Still Nuts for Peanuts

Timelines

Bibliography

Who Was Charles Schulz?

In his first week of kindergarten, Charles Schulz already proved what a good artist he was. When the teacher gave the kids in the class paper and crayons, they all lay on the floor to draw. Charles drew a picture of a man shoveling snow, with a palm tree in the background. It was a funny idea. But he wasn’t satisfied with his picture. The shovel didn’t look right, but he didn’t know how to fix it.

Still, when his teacher saw his drawing, she told him, Someday, Charles, you’re going to be an artist.

By age six, Charles had decided he wanted to be a cartoonist. He would grow up to create one of the most popular comic strips ever—Peanuts! Its cast of beloved characters includes Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Pigpen, Sally, Woodstock, Peppermint Patty, and more.

Of all his characters, Charlie Brown was most like Charles. Both were ordinary kids who didn’t stand out in a crowd. Like Charlie Brown, Charles could be quiet and shy.

Charles Schulz seemed like a relaxed and happy guy. Inside, however, he was often anxious and worried,