I would like to share a new children’s book with you called The Gift of Everything (The Perfect Gift, 2) by Patrick McDonnell which we received in exchange for this review. Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products, you purchase.
Even though Christmas is over and the cover of the book has Reindeer and Christmas Tree’s on the cover The Gift of Everything brings us a story that should be read year-round. My family were surprised to find out The Gift of Nothing brings us the stars of the beloved comic strip The Mutts.
Before you ask my family hadn’t heard of the comic strip but we plan on looking it up soon. I think you should as well. Also, don’t forget to check out The Gift of Nothing another book in the series which is perfect to read year round as well.
In The Gift of Everything Mooch is looking for the perfect gift for his friend Earl. Which we’ve all done at one time or another. Mooch found the perfect box and bow but no, gift yet. There was nothing in the closet or den.
Nothing in the treat jar and Mooch didn’t find anything with Millie. He looked with Frank on their most favorite chair. Finally, after looking everywhere Mooch realized that everyone and everything was not just a gift but the perfect gift.
My family enjoyed The Gift of Everything a lot. Charlie and I believe the story is for younger children, but people of all ages can and will learn from the Author if they take the time to read the story. Which should be inside all schools and librairies.
About the book:
★A national bestseller★
This heartwarming story perfect for the holiday season offers a fresh take on mindfulness and gratitude and features Patrick McDonnell’s familiar beloved characters from his popular MUTTS comic strip!
It’s that time of year again. Mooch the cat is searching up, down, and all around for a perfect gift for his special friend Earl. But what is perfect? Join Mooch as he sees the world around him with a fresh feeling of gratitude and discovers the answer: Everyone… Everywhere… Everything! Good thing he has just the right person to share it all with!
In this joyful rhyming companion to the New York Times bestselling classic The Gift of Nothing, the stars of the beloved comic strip MUTTS find the gift of their lives.
Don’t miss these other picture books starring MUTTS characters:
The Gift of Nothing
Hug Time
Meet the Author: Patrick McDonnell
Patrick McDonnell’s comic strip, MUTTS, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries. MUTTS has received numerous awards for its artistry and its animal and environmental themes. These include the NCS Reuben for Cartoonist of the Year, seven Harvey and the Eisner Humanitarian Award. Charles Schulz called MUTTS “One of the best comics strips of all time.”
October 2025 will bring the release of two new MUTTS based children’s picture books, THE GIFT OF EVERYTHING and a special, 20th anniversary release of THE GIFT OF NOTHING.
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, was published by Abrams Books fall 2024, and nominated for an Eisner Award in 2025.
Prior to that, McDonnell created THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME…JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage.
In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major solo exhibition of his large scale canvases. McDonnell had a second solo show in 2024 at The Arts Council of Princeton. In 2025 he was part of the group show CARNIVAL at the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in SOHO, NYC.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
You can sign up to receive the daily MUTTS comic strip on the MUTTS website.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
