Books by Patrick McDonnell
Explore dozens of titles written and illustrated by Patrick — including beloved MUTTS collections, award-winning picture books, and collaborations with luminaries like Dr. Jane Goodall, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and more.
All books at www.the-mutts.com (except board books) include a bookplate that has been hand-signed by Patrick.
New & Featured
New releases, seasonal favorites, and what readers are loving right now.
Collaborations
Created in collaboration with some of the most extraordinary people on the planet.
Children's Books
Poignant, heartfelt picture books for the young and the young at heart.
MUTTS Collections
Annual MUTTS treasuries, special anthologies, and collectors' items.
New & Featured
Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story
This book features the seven-week-long tale of Guard Dog’s unchaining and eventual adoption, an illustrated history of Guard Dog (written by Patrick), real-life uplifting rescue stories, testimonials, and introductions from Sidewalk Angels co-founders Marisol Thomas and Rob Thomas.
A National Bestseller!
The Super Hero's Journey
Imbued with Patrick's creativity, artwork, and heart, this graphic novel features the classic Marvel super heroes including the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Black Panther, and Spider-Man, and is the synthesis of McDonnell’s positive, inspirational sensibility and Marvel’s blockbuster brand.
Named a top 10 graphic novel for 2023 by the washington post
Treats: A MUTTS Treasury
Printed on recycled paper, this paperback book features a year’s worth of color and black-and-white MUTTS comic strips — along with heartwarming sketch art and illustrations. The images follow Mooch the cat, Earl the dog, and their furry and feathered friends on a variety of adventures.
The Newest MUTTS treasury, released in 2024!
Heart to Heart: A Conversation on Love and Hope for Our Precious Planet
Featuring words from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and illustrations by Patrick! With a powerful and timely message, Heart to Heart calls for a Compassionate Revolution to heal our relationships with the planet and its inhabitants. This elegant and meaningful book reminds us that "we are indeed all members of a single family, sharing one little house."
Collaborations
In Collaboration With:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Heart to Heart: A Conversation on Love and Hope for Our Precious Planet
Featuring words from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and illustrations by Patrick! With a powerful and timely message, Heart to Heart calls for a Compassionate Revolution to heal our relationships with the planet and its inhabitants. This elegant and meaningful book reminds us that "we are indeed all members of a single family, sharing one little house."
In Collaboration With:
Marvel Comics
The Super Hero's Journey
Imbued with Patrick's creativity, artwork, and heart, this all-new graphic novel love letter features the classic Marvel super heroes including the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Black Panther, and Spider-Man, and is the synthesis of McDonnell’s positive, inspirational sensibility and Marvel’s blockbuster brand.
In Collaboration With:
Dr. Jane Goodall
Me...Jane
Patrick tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of "a life living with and helping all animals," until one day she finds that her dream has come true. Includes anecdotes taken directly from Jane Goodall's autobiography!
In Collaboration With:
Eckhart Tolle
Guardians of Being: Spiritual Teachings From Our Dogs and Cats
With words from Eckhart Tolle and art from Patrick, this unique book conveys a profound love of nature, animals, humans, and all life forms. It reminds us of the wonder and joy to be found in the present moment, amid the beauty we sometimes forget to notice all around us.
In Collaboration With:
MUTTS Readers
Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed
In this emotive collection, Patrick has paired more than 70 full-color, reader-submitted photographs of adopted animals with over 100 of his popular "Shelter Stories" comic strips. The book also includes a reference section and an adoption guide!
Hardcover out of print. Now available as a paperback!
In Collaboration With: Daniel Ladinsky
Darling, I Love You: Poems From the Hearts of Our Glorious Mutts and All Our Animal Friends
This collaborative book of poetry, featuring words from acclaimed poet Daniel Ladinsky and illustrations from Patrick, is guaranteed to tug at the tender emotions of any animal lover. The book contains poems about the special places animals hold in our hearts, accompanied by drawings of the MUTTS characters that readers have come to know and love.
Children's Books
Me...Jane
Patrick tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of "a life living with and helping all animals," until one day she finds that her dream has come true. Includes anecdotes taken directly from Jane Goodall's autobiography!
A Caldecott Honor Book
The Gift of Nothing
This simple, critically acclaimed story follows beloved MUTTS character Mooch the cat as he attempts to find the perfect gift for his friend Earl the dog. Ultimately, Mooch presents Earl with something priceless and far more special than anything for sale at a store — the gift of nothing.
Also available as a board book!
An award-winning, New York Times Bestseller
The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away (And Learned His ABCs the Hard Way)
It starts with an ALLIGATOR and a BEAR chasing a CAT. When a DRAGON (and a chicken and an egg!) join in pursuit, things start to get really interesting. This exciting new take on the alphabet book is for everyone who has ever wondered what's just beyond the front door.
Received starred reviews from Kirkus, Horn Book, and Publishers Weekly
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
Little Louie's story keeps getting messed up, and he's not happy about it! What's the point of telling his tale if he can't tell it perfectly? But when he stops and takes a deep breath, he realizes that everything is actually just fine, and his story is a good one — imperfections and all.
An Amazon "teachers' Pick"
The Monsters' Monster
Once upon a time, there were three little rascals who thought they were the BIGGEST, BADDEST monsters around. Then along came an even BIGGER monster who changed their minds. In this playful tale from Patrick, a very BIG monster shows three very BAD little monsters the power of boundless gratitude.
An award-winning, new york times bestseller
Thank You and Good Night
This award-winning bedtime story reminds us to cherish life's simplest pleasures. During a fun pajama party, three animal friends dance, play, and take time to give thanks before drifting off to sleep.
Also available as a board book!
2016 NAIBA Picture Book of the Year
Shine!
This vibrant picture book tells a story about learning to appreciate the wonders in your world and within yourself. When Hoshi the sea star looks at the sky, she wishes she could be up there too, among the shining stars. Eventually, with the help of her friends, Hoshi realizes that her glorious shine comes from within.
Illustrated by celebrated artist naoko stoop
Silly, Wonderful You
This book is a funny and tender love letter from a parent to her child.
"While children may enjoy the humor and the cozy but fast-paced story, this book ultimately serves as a helpful pep talk for the tired grown-ups in their lives." — School Library Journal
STory by bestselling author sherri duskey rinker
TEK: The Modern Cave Boy
Tek, a cave boy, is obsessed with tech. He never sees his friends or family anymore. Can anyone in the village convince Tek to unplug and come outside into the big, beautiful world? This timely tale comes packaged as a tablet-shaped hardcover that's perfect for today's digital-savvy children.
Received a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly
A Shtinky Little Christmas
This Christmas-themed keepsake tells the story of Shtinky Puddin', a wayward kitty taken under wing (under paw?) by Mooch and Earl. And when the furry trio find themselves stranded in a blizzard, a jolly, red suit-wearing, white-bearded human comes to the rescue. Measuring approximately 5" x 5", this cute and seasonal hardcover makes a perfect stocking stuffer.
Out of Print
Hug Time
There was once a kitten so filled with love he wanted to give the whole world a hug! And so Jules the kitten (also known as "Shtinky Puddin'") goes down the stairs to hug his friends, then all the birds in the park ... and then he travels the world, hugging all those he meets! A joyous story about sharing love with a gently environmental theme.
Available as a board book.
A NYT Bestseller
Art
This children's book is a rhyming tribute to a budding artist. Patrick uses quirky wordplay to tell the story of Art, a young boy who likes to paint and doodle. This book, with its exuberant images and freewheeling energy, is the perfect gift for any crayon- or brush-wielding little artist.
South
When a little bird awakens to find that his friends and family have gone south for the winter, it takes a surprising friendship with Mooch the cat to help him find his way. This is a wordless and profoundly moving story that explores being lost and found, crossing boundaries, and broadening horizons.
Out of Print
Wag
In this simple and precious children's book, Patrick pays a sweet tribute to his own real-life pup (Earl) with a tale of wiggling and wagging, fwipping and fwapping. New readers will rejoice in reciting the fun story aloud and delight in its vibrant illustrations.
Out of Print
Just Like Heaven
When Mooch the cat awakens to find himself lost in a deep fog, he figures he must be in heaven. But then, Mooch comes face-to-face with a big and scary dog! Mooch's journey reveals that the joys of nature, home, and friends are blessings to appreciate here and now. Heaven really is a place on earth!
Out of Print
A NYT Bestseller
The Skunk
When a skunk appears in the tuxedoed man's doorway, it's a strange but possibly harmless occurrence. But then the man finds the skunk following him, and the unlikely pair embark on an increasingly frantic chase through the city, from the streets to the opera house to the fairground. What does the skunk want?
Story by Mac Barnett
MUTTS Collections
The Art of Nothing
This gorgeous 12" x 9" hardcover art book was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the MUTTS comic strip as well as Patrick McDonnell's bestselling children’s classics, such as "Me...Jane," "The Gift of Nothing," "Just Like Heaven," and more.
It also includes never-before-seen MUTTS paintings and sketches, autobiographical commentary, an interview by artist Lynda Barry (in the form of illustrated letter writing), and an introduction by Eckhart Tolle.
MUTTS Treasuries
MUTTS Treasury books have been released almost every year since 1996. Each one features a year's worth of MUTTS comic strips, including bonus sketch art and illustrations by Patrick.
While some are now out of print, many of the ones currently available can be purchased at the MUTTS Shop — and are linked in the section below. Click to see the full list!
MUTTS Diaries
These diary-style paperbacks are perfect for young readers and fun for grown-ups, too! Each includes a curated collection of MUTTS comic strips
"Filled with funny scenes, as well as a few very sweet moments, this collection will appeal to a wide range of readers, from animal lovers to those who appreciate humor and comics."
— Sarah Reid, Broome County Public Library
MUTTS Sundays
These colorful anthologies showcase some of Patrick's favorite Sunday MUTTS strips. Now out of print, they're no longer available at the MUTTS Shop — but select copies may be available at select bookstores or other online retailers.
More Beloved MUTTS Books
Looking for more MUTTS? Explore other heartwarming titles featuring your favorite furry characters — including "The Guard Dog Story," "The Art of Nothing," and more!
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Treat yourself or a fellow reader! Explore all available titles at the MUTTS Shop.
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