Bart Simpson's Guide to Life
by Matt Groening

Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN:  006096975X

Bart Simpson’s Guide to Life is full of wisdom dispensed by a ten year-old boy who relishes practical jokes and revenge tactics. Bart offers suggestions for dealing with the cruel world full of authority figures, bullies, and little sisters. This book is easy to read because it is broken into various categories that cover fun topics, such as driving your parents crazy, and lies your parents tell you. True fans of The Simpsons will read the book more than once to make sure they catch every quote and bit of advice. If you’re new to The Simpsons, this book will give you loads of laughs as you gain more insight into the workings of Bart’s devious mind.

This book is truly a guide to life, though one should be cautious when accepting advice from the child who spends much of his school time at the blackboard writing punishments. Bart’s guide is more than just excerpts from the show sorted neatly into a piece of merchandise. You can learn how to deal with your parents, from getting a raise in your allowance to getting out of chores. Readers will also enjoy tips about other topics, such as Homer’s beauty secrets and what to do when you get caught cheating. Bart waxes philosophical about his family, school, and prayers for bedtime. Bart’s nutritional guide isn’t the one you’ll find hanging in your family physician’s office, either (or even Dr. Hibbert’s!) And all of these helpful hints are accompanied by hysterical illustrations, some taken directly from the show and others drawn specifically for this book.

This book is a bargain. You’ll get a lot of laughs for a lot less than other cartoon books. In fact, Bart Simpson’s Guide to Life is cheaper than most of the other Simpsons guides. There’s so much to learn about Bart, and life, that you’ll read this book over and over.

Matt Groening, the author, is the genius behind the animated series The Simpsons. The Simpsons has spilled over from television into comic books, videos, and other guides. Prior to The Simpsons, Groening produced the sarcastic, subversive cartoon series Life is Hell, School is Hell, Work is Hell, and so on. Now Groening is garnering praise for Futurama, his newest animated creation.

If you’re a Bart fan, you must own this book. If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, you’ll love this book. If you’re just getting to know our favorite family, you should pick up this book to enjoy some giggles at new jokes and Bart’s past adventures. Every fan will love this book, the first, second, and third time.

Nancy Martin, your Guide for Simpsons Fans