AIPT’s got the scoop that fans of Patrick McDonnell’s work can get a free print if they preorder The Gift of Everything on mutts.com. Simply go to the website and get free prints if you preorder the book set, which includes The Gift of Nothing. The Gift of Everything is the eagerly anticipated follow-up starring Mooch, the curious cat, and Earl, the ever-trusting dog.
Both The Gift of Everything and The Gift of Nothing Anniversary Edition will be published on October 14, 2025, from Little Brown Books for Young Readers.
“I’ve always loved the holiday season—a magical time of grace, giving, and gratitude,” said McDonnell. “In The Gift of Everything, I wanted to capture the joy and wonder that children feel during their favorite time of year. It tells the playful story of Mooch the cat as he discovers that the whole world is our Secret Santa.”
So what’s The Gift of Everything about?
In The Gift of Everything, Mooch the cat is searching for the perfect gift for his best friend, Earl the dog. But what, wonders Mooch, is perfect? Mooch soon discovers the answer: Everyone… Everywhere… Everything! As he sees the world around him with new eyes and a fresh feeling of gratitude, Mooch is delighted that he has just the right person to share it all with! In this joyful rhyming companion to The Gift of Nothing, the stars of the beloved comic strip MUTTS discover and celebrate the precious gift of being alive.
So what’s The Gift of Nothing about?
In The Gift of Nothing Mooch the cat desperately wants to get his friend Earl the dog a gift for the holidays, but Earl already has everything he needs. “What do you give a guy who has everything?” Mooch wonders. Then it dawns on him: nothing! But it turns out nothing is harder to find than you’d think. This perennial favorite sends a heartfelt, timeless message about the priceless value of love and friendship.
“This anniversary edition of The Gift of Nothing is a celebration of my first picture book—a story that seemed to write itself,” said McDonell. “I love its simplicity, its joy, and its timeless holiday message: the most precious gift we can give is ourselves. More than presents, it’s presence.”
Check out the covers for each below.
(February 10, 2025) Award-winning MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell’s The Gift of Nothing has been inspiring readers of all ages with its heartfelt message about the power of friendship since the seminal book was published two decades ago. Now the bestselling cartoonist is back with The Gift of Everything, the eagerly anticipated follow-up starring Mooch, the curious cat, and Earl, the ever-trusting dog. Both The Gift of Everything and The Gift of Nothing Anniversary Edition will be published on October 14, 2025 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
McDonnell is the author of several New York Times bestselling picture books, including The Gift of Nothing, and the Caldecott Honor-winning Me…Jane, both of which have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. His other children’s books include Hug Time, A Perfectly Messed-Up Story, The Monsters’ Monster, and Thank You and Goodnight. McDonnell’s beloved and award-winning comic strip, MUTTS, has appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries for 30 years and drawn praise from the likes of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and Jane Goodall. McDonnell’s most recent book, Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story, debuted on the USA Today bestseller list.
In The Gift of Everything, Mooch the cat is searching for the perfect gift for his best friend, Earl the dog. But what, wonders Mooch, is perfect? Mooch soon discovers the answer: Everyone… Everywhere… Everything! As he sees the world around him with new eyes and a fresh feeling of gratitude, Mooch is delighted that he has just the right person to share it all with! In this joyful rhyming companion to The Gift of Nothing, the stars of the beloved comic strip MUTTS discover and celebrate the precious gift of being alive.
“I’ve always loved the holiday season—a magical time of grace, giving, and gratitude,” said McDonnell. “In The Gift of Everything, I wanted to capture the joy and wonder that children feel during their favorite time of year. It tells the playful story of Mooch the cat as he discovers that the whole world is our Secret Santa.”
In The Gift of Nothing Mooch the cat desperately wants to get his friend Earl the dog a gift for the holidays, but Earl already has everything he needs. “What do you give a guy who has everything?” Mooch wonders. Then it dawns on him: nothing! But it turns out nothing is harder to find than you’d think. This perennial favorite sends a heartfelt, timeless message about the priceless value of love and friendship.
“This anniversary edition of The Gift of Nothing is a celebration of my first picture book—a story that seemed to write itself,” said McDonell. “I love its simplicity, its joy, and its timeless holiday message: the most precious gift we can give is ourselves. More than presents, it’s presence.”
Here’s what people are saying about Patrick McDonnell’s The Gift of Nothing:
“Pure delight.” ― Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Priceless.” ― The Washington Post
“A sweet tail with a Zen message.” ― People Magazine
“A perfect meditation on gift giving and friendship.” ― Kirkus Reviews
Here’s what people are saying about Patrick McDonnell’s MUTTS:
“Patrick McDonnell’s Mutts is up there with Peanuts, Pogo, Krazy Kat, and Calvin and Hobbes—cartoons that are smart, funny, brilliantly drawn, and full of heart.”
― Matt Groening, The Simpsons
“Patrick McDonnell is a compassionate champion for all animals, particularly dogs and cats, and through his comic strip, Mutts, he captures magically the personalities of some of our best friends.”― Jane Goodall
“One of the best comic strips of all time.”―Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts
“Not since Little Nemo in Slumberland has the comics page been gifted with such a gentle, reverential spirit.”―Jules Feiffer
As it has been every year since 2017, The Gift of Nothing Day holiday will be celebrated around the world on December 15th. The Gift of Everything and The Gift of Nothing Anniversary Edition will both be available on October 14, 2025 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. To subscribe to the Daily MUTTS, visit MUTTS.COM or follow MUTTS on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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