Author & Illustrator Profile
Patrick McDonnell
13 Books
Patrick McDonnell is an acclaimed author, illustrator, and the creator of the internationally syndicated comic strip Mutts. In addition to his comic work, he has penned and illustrated numerous beloved children's picture books characterized by their gentle humor and expressive art style. Notable titles among his picture book catalog include "Hug Time" and "The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABC's."
A tiny bird wakes up in a chilly tree and makes a startling discovery. All of his friends and family have already flown away for the winter! He is left entirely alone in the cold, and he has no idea which way to go. But when Mooch the cat finds the shivering little bird, an unexpected adventure begins. Without using a single word, these two very different animals form a bond and start a long journey together to find the flock. You will follow their paw prints and tiny tracks as they bravely cross forests and cities. This quiet, beautiful tale speaks straight to your heart. It shows you that true friends will always help you find your way, no matter how far you have to travel.
6-8 Years
88 Pages
An alligator and a bear are chasing a cat. Why? You will have to turn the pages to find out! Get ready for a wild, high speed chase that takes you through the entire alphabet. Soon, a dragon, a chicken, and even an egg are joining the run. You will follow this wacky crew as they dash through freezing snow, swing across deep jungles, and climb all the way over tall mountaintops. The chase is frantic, funny, and full of surprises at every single letter. But by the time they reach the very end of the alphabet, these running rivals might just discover that running together is much more fun than running away. Join the adventure and see how a crazy chase turns into a wonderful friendship.
6-8 Years
Earl is a happy dog, and his tail simply will not stop wagging. A fresh bowl of food makes it wag. A beautiful field of flowers makes it wag. Even a simple belly rub gets his tail fwipping and fwapping all over the place. His best friend, Mooch the cat, watches this wiggly, waggly tail and tries to figure out the big secret. Why does Earl wag his tail so much? As you follow these two lovable friends on a perfectly sunny day, you will discover the simple truth behind Earl's endless happiness. This joyful story shows you that the best things in life are the simple moments we share with our best friends. Get ready to smile, laugh, and maybe even do a little wagging of your own.
6-8 Years
45 Pages
Mooch the cat wakes up from a nap and finds himself completely surrounded by thick, fluffy fog. Since everything looks so bright and cloudy, he is absolutely sure he has woken up in heaven. As Mooch explores this wonderful new place, he is thrilled to discover that all of his favorite people and animal friends are there too. It really is a perfect paradise! But suddenly, he bumps into a very big, very scary dog. If this is heaven, what is a scary dog doing here? Join Mooch as the fog slowly lifts and he learns a beautiful lesson about his home. You will discover right along with him that sometimes the most heavenly place to be is right here in your own backyard surrounded by the friends you love.
6-8 Years
71 Pages
Grouch, Grump, and little Gloom n Doom are three tiny monsters with huge attitudes. They spend all day arguing about which one of them is the absolute biggest and baddest monster in town. To prove how tough they are, they decide to build a giant, terrifying creature of their very own. But when their massive creation finally comes to life, he does not roar or smash things. Instead, he simply says two little words that change everything. You will be surprised by what this gigantic monster does next! Join these grumpy little troublemakers as they meet a huge beast who teaches them a wonderful lesson about being polite. This funny and surprising story shows you that being big and strong is not nearly as impressive as being incredibly kind.
6-8 Years
Grab your crayons, markers, and paint. Meet Art, a boy who loves to make art! Whenever Art is awake, he is busy drawing squiggles, zigzags, dots, and lines. You will watch his imagination burst onto the pages as he creates colorful worlds, wacky animals, and massive masterpieces that cover the walls. But what happens when his wild creations get a little out of control? Follow along as Art draws his way through a wonderfully messy and colorful day. This playful adventure celebrates the joy of being creative and letting your imagination run totally wild. Whether you love to doodle in a sketchbook or paint big pictures, you will find a friend in Art. It is the perfect story to inspire your next great masterpiece.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
The sun is going down, but the fun is just beginning! Three animal friends are throwing the best pajama party ever, filled with silly dances, happy leaps, and plenty of nighttime play. But as the moon rises higher into the sky, their heavy eyes begin to droop. Before they finally snuggle under their warm blankets, these sleepy friends have one very important thing left to do. They need to say thank you. Join them as they look back on their joyful day and give thanks for the bright sun, the quiet night, and the wonderful company of each other. This cozy, calming story is the perfect way to end your busy day. Settle in, slow down, and discover how wonderful it feels to be grateful before drifting off to sleep.
6-8 Years
37 Pages
Meet Jane, a curious little girl with a very special stuffed chimpanzee named Jubilee. Together, Jane and Jubilee spend their days exploring the outdoors, watching birds make nests, and reading exciting stories about wild jungles. Jane loves the natural world so much that she dreams of moving to Africa to live alongside her favorite animals. You will watch Jane grow from a young nature lover into a courageous explorer who makes her biggest dreams come true. This inspiring, true story shows how the famous scientist Jane Goodall started out just like you, exploring her own backyard. With beautiful pictures and fascinating facts, you will see exactly how a childhood filled with wonder and a deep love for animals can change the whole world. Grab your favorite toy and start exploring.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Tek is a prehistoric cave boy with a very modern problem. While his friends are outside inventing new games and exploring the wild, Tek is stuck inside his dark cave staring at his glowing tablet. He is completely glued to his phone, video games, and television. In fact, he has forgotten how to say anything except the word Ugh! You will watch his frustrated friends and family try everything to get him to unplug and step out into the sunshine. Will a giant dinosaur or a rumbling volcano be enough to finally break his connection to his screens? This incredibly funny story is a gentle reminder of how amazing the real world is. Unplug your devices, step outside, and discover the bright, beautiful adventure waiting just beyond your front door.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
Little Louie just wants to tell you his story. He has it completely memorized and he is ready to give a perfect performance. But as he skips across the pages, something terrible happens. A giant blob of jelly splats right onto the paper! Then comes a smudge of peanut butter and a huge set of messy fingerprints. Louie is totally ruined. How can he tell a perfect story when his book is turning into a sticky disaster? You will laugh out loud as Louie throws a spectacular tantrum over his messy pages. But as you read along, you and Louie will both learn that life does not have to be totally flawless to be wonderful. This hilarious and interactive tale proves that mistakes happen, and imperfect stories are often the most fun.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
What do you get for your very best friend when he already has everything he could ever want? Mooch the cat has a big problem. He desperately wants to give Earl the dog the greatest present in the world. He searches the stores and looks high and low, but nothing seems quite right. Then, Mooch has a brilliant idea. He will give Earl the gift of nothing! But as Mooch soon discovers, finding a box of absolute nothing is actually much harder than it sounds. You will follow Mooch on his funny and heartwarming quest to find the perfect empty box. This sweet story reveals a beautiful secret about giving presents. You will see that the greatest gift of all cannot be bought in a store, because true friendship is priceless.
6-8 Years
60 Pages
Jules is a tiny kitten with a gigantic heart, and he is determined to give the entire world a hug. He knows that hugs make everything better, so he writes out a very special to-do list. At the very top of his list are the endangered animals of the world. Follow Jules as he travels across the globe, from the hot African savanna to the freezing North Pole, spreading joy and wrapping his little arms around every creature he meets. You will see that even the smallest kitten can make a massive difference with a simple act of kindness. This sweet, rhyming journey shows you that no matter how enormous the world is, making it a better place starts with showing love to the friends and animals right beside you.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Before you came along, life was quiet and tidy, but it was missing something incredibly special. Now, every single day is filled with giggles, messes, and wonderful surprises! In this heartwarming story, a mother lovingly describes all the hilarious and beautiful ways her world has changed since her lively toddler arrived. From chaotic mornings to joyful playtime, every moment is a brand new adventure. You will love seeing the funny, silly things that happen when a little one brings their big energy into a home. Written in gentle, bouncing rhymes, this tender book perfectly captures the deep love between a parent and child. It is a joyful celebration of family, laughter, and the beautiful messiness of growing up together.
6-8 Years
