Patrick McDonnell's hypnotic picture book featuring the stars of his Mutts comic strip is a captivating ode to everyday beauty and wonder. When Mooch the cat awakes to find himself lost in a deep fog, he concludes he's in heaven. "Wow," he remarks as he explores, "What a great place."! But when Mooch comes face-to-face in heaven with a big and scary dog, what, he wonders, is he supposed to do? Mooch's reassuring answer reveals that everyday joys of nature, home, and friends are blessings to appreciate here and now. Heaven really is a place on earth!
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Animal lovers adore Patrick McDonnell's comic strip, Mutts featuring the adventures of Earl (the dog) and Mooch (the cat) told from their unique (and often hilarious) point of view. Just Like Heaven is a poignant and powerful picture book that fans (and their kids) will appreciate. We asked Patrick to tell us a little more about himself and the book, and he surprised us by including a few comic strips to help illustrate his story. Check out his message to fans, and the artwork below. --Daphne Durham
A Special Message about Just Like Heaven
from New York Times Bestselling Author, Patrick McDonnell
I have spent the last twelve years as the creator of the newspaper comic strip Mutts. Mutts is centered on the unlikely friendship between Earl the dog and Mooch the cat. It combines my love for animals with my love for the art of the comic strip.
Becoming a daily cartoonist was something I always dreamed of doing, as was creating children's books. I love the timeless magic found in the best children's books. Like comic strips, its art is rooted in telling stories with words and pictures. Both forms have simplicity, poetry and optimism. Arts that spread joy.
I had the pleasure to do my first picture book last Fall when Little, Brown published The Gift of Nothing. It features Earl and Mooch. It was fun to tell a self-contained, complete story with characters I live with every day.
I followed The Gift of Nothing with Art, a book about a boy obsessed with making art and messes--a somewhat autobiographical love poem to the creative process.
My new book is titled Just Like Heaven. With this book I wanted to celebrate our everyday lives and the things we tend to take for granted, such as nature, birds, flowers, friends and family. It is loosely based on a two week story I once did in Mutts.
Some of the comic strips from that story are included here. While Mooch takes a nap under a tree, a deep fog quietly rolls in. Awakening in a cloud of mist, Mooch concludes that he must be in heaven. With his cat curiosity, he proceeds to explore his surroundings and sees the familiar in a whole new light:
A Special Message about Just Like Heaven
from New York Times Bestselling Author, Patrick McDonnell
I have spent the last twelve years as the creator of the newspaper comic strip Mutts. Mutts is centered on the unlikely friendship between Earl the dog and Mooch the cat. It combines my love for animals with my love for the art of the comic strip.
Becoming a daily cartoonist was something I always dreamed of doing, as was creating children's books. I love the timeless magic found in the best children's books. Like comic strips, its art is rooted in telling stories with words and pictures. Both forms have simplicity, poetry and optimism. Arts that spread joy.
I had the pleasure to do my first picture book last Fall when Little, Brown published The Gift of Nothing. It features Earl and Mooch. It was fun to tell a self-contained, complete story with characters I live with every day.
I followed The Gift of Nothing with Art, a book about a boy obsessed with making art and messes--a somewhat autobiographical love poem to the creative process.
My new book is titled Just Like Heaven. With this book I wanted to celebrate our everyday lives and the things we tend to take for granted, such as nature, birds, flowers, friends and family. It is loosely based on a two week story I once did in Mutts.
Some of the comic strips from that story are included here. While Mooch takes a nap under a tree, a deep fog quietly rolls in. Awakening in a cloud of mist, Mooch concludes that he must be in heaven. With his cat curiosity, he proceeds to explore his surroundings and sees the familiar in a whole new light:
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 Mutts © Patrick McDonnell, distributed by King Features Syndicate |
I hope the book is uplifting, inspiring and will be something to cuddle up to with your two legged--and perhaps your four legged--little friends. --Patrick McDonnell
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3–Mooch and Earl, a cat and dog from the Mutts comic strip, star in a follow-up picture book to The Gift of Nothing (Little, Brown, 2005). In this more serious story, a fog creeps in one day during Mooch's nap. Waking in this haze, he hears birds singing and children laughing, he smells the perfume of flowers, but he sees nothing. Surmising that he is in heaven, he checks his fear and gives a large and scary dog he encounters a hug. Later, he returns to his napping spot and falls back asleep. When the fog lifts, Mooch finds the sun shining and his friend Earl beside him. He thinks he is in a wonderful place–Just like heaven. The small, sketchy illustrations hold a great deal of charm, and the sparse, controlled text keeps the story punchy and moving along. However, this tale lacks the humor of the first title. An additional purchase for libraries with Mutts fans.––Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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More About the Author
Patrick McDonnell is a New York Times best-selling author. He received the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award for Cartoonist of the Year in 1999, and Mutts was named Strip of the Year in 1997. A dedicated animal advocate and Genesis Award recipient, McDonnell regularly lends his talents to animal protection groups and issues, including the Humane Society of the United States, where he serves on the national board of directors. McDonnell was also recently elected to the board of directors of the Charles M. Schulz Museum. He is a native of New Jersey.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just for kids,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Just Like Heaven: A Mutts Children's Book (Hardcover)
This is a simple, beautiful, and touching story. 'Just like heaven' is all about appreciating what is here and now. I read it yesterday for the first time and it lifted my spirits after a long day at work. I'm giving it to my friends and family for Christmas. It can be read on many different levels. Children will love it - but adults will love it even more. Enjoy!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soft as kitten toes and puppy kisses,
By
This review is from: Just Like Heaven: A Mutts Children's Book (Hardcover)
Patrick McDonnell has done it again! Just Like Heaven reaches into your soul and tugs at your heartstrings with a message as soft as kitten toes and puppy kisses. Most people these days are in a fog by being too plugged in to marvel at the beauty and goodness that surrounds them. This sweet, simple masterpiece will help teach our children and feed our inner children. Giving the gift of Mutts has become a family tradition that I will continue for years to come.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Must Love Dogs,
By Randy Johnson is the Man "TBU" (Hawaii) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Just Like Heaven: A Mutts Children's Book (Hardcover)
I loved this book...I also have the "Gift Of Nothing" and the rest of the Mutts comic strip books. What can I say, I'm a HUGE Patrick McDonnell fan. This book was cute, simple, and easy to understand. It wasn't as good as The Gift of Nothing, but if you are a MUTTS fan, it will not disappoint. However, the lesson in this book may be a bit advanced for very young ones....I would suggest it for 7+. I however, bought it strictly for my enjoyment/collection and I'm well over 7.
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