Amazon.com (ISBN 0316114936, Hardcover)

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

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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:

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

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