What do you think?
Rate this book
Mutts
The Mutts Winter Diaries (Volume 2)
Yesh! Mooch, Earl, and all their endearing Mutts friends are back in this second Mutts collection for kids!
Mutts highlights the adventures of Earl the dog and Mooch the cat, best buddies who regularly come in contact with Shtinky Puddin, Sourpuss, Guard Dog, and Crabby--as well as an assortment of whimsically rendered humans. This cast is capable of endless antics, interspersed with thoughtful views on both the animal and human condition. And whether they're raiding garbage cans or basking in full-frontal belly rubs, Mooch and Earl always have a comment to clinch the scene.
Mutts highlights the adventures of Earl the dog and Mooch the cat, best buddies who regularly come in contact with Shtinky Puddin, Sourpuss, Guard Dog, and Crabby--as well as an assortment of whimsically rendered humans. This cast is capable of endless antics, interspersed with thoughtful views on both the animal and human condition. And whether they're raiding garbage cans or basking in full-frontal belly rubs, Mooch and Earl always have a comment to clinch the scene.
176 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
35 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Patrick McDonnell
181 books389 followersPatrick 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 Harveys and the Eisner Humanitarian Award. Charles Schulz called MUTTS “One of the best comics strips of all time.”
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is 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 exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
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 for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is 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 exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
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 for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 30, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
A few years ago, I stopped playing my city’s local paper simply because it sucked. It really did. I heard that it has gotten better, but I don’t know. The only thing that I have missed from that paper was McDonnell’s Mutts. (Yes, I know, but reading it in a newspaper is different, okay?).
Mutt is great because Earl and Mooch and their people and friends are anyone’s pets. Your dog or cat may look different but they either act like Earl and Mooch all the time, or act like one of the supporting animals. It’s not like Garfield or Heathcliff. Furthermore, McDonnell does quite a bit about animal rescue and shelters. It’s hard not to like this strip.
The Winter Diaries are pretty much what the gang gets up to or doesn’t get up to, in winter. They try hibernating. They meet a penguin, who may, just may, be a stand in for people in general, and they hang with bears. We see what the squirrels get up to and watch Mooch try to find two identical snowflakes.
And then there is the evil weatherman.
At the end of the book is a brief guide to what animals featured in the comic really, truly do during the winter and what you can do to make life a bit easier for them.
And this is what makes Mutts wonderful because it is for cat and dog lovers, not one or either, and for those who like animals in general. It’s funny because it is true.
I mean, what cat owner hasn’t been spooned by the furry beast and what dog doesn’t got boing when on a walk?
A few years ago, I stopped playing my city’s local paper simply because it sucked. It really did. I heard that it has gotten better, but I don’t know. The only thing that I have missed from that paper was McDonnell’s Mutts. (Yes, I know, but reading it in a newspaper is different, okay?).
Mutt is great because Earl and Mooch and their people and friends are anyone’s pets. Your dog or cat may look different but they either act like Earl and Mooch all the time, or act like one of the supporting animals. It’s not like Garfield or Heathcliff. Furthermore, McDonnell does quite a bit about animal rescue and shelters. It’s hard not to like this strip.
The Winter Diaries are pretty much what the gang gets up to or doesn’t get up to, in winter. They try hibernating. They meet a penguin, who may, just may, be a stand in for people in general, and they hang with bears. We see what the squirrels get up to and watch Mooch try to find two identical snowflakes.
And then there is the evil weatherman.
At the end of the book is a brief guide to what animals featured in the comic really, truly do during the winter and what you can do to make life a bit easier for them.
And this is what makes Mutts wonderful because it is for cat and dog lovers, not one or either, and for those who like animals in general. It’s funny because it is true.
I mean, what cat owner hasn’t been spooned by the furry beast and what dog doesn’t got boing when on a walk?
January 11, 2016
(I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review)
This is for die-hard Mutts fans, the readers that are already familiar with the recurring characters and absolutely must have every volume in their collection. I am a Mutts fan, but more for the heart than the jokes, and for that reason this one fell flat for me. This volume is targeted to children, so perhaps I’m simply not the target audience.
I really enjoyed the first Mutts Diaries, but this book is a less enjoyable winter-themed rehash that focuses more on repetitive jokes and less on the heartfelt moments that the comic generally excels at. Gags about too much snow, hibernating for the winter, how much dogs like walks, and nut –throwing squirrels are all stretched to the breaking point, making it feel like a collection of outtakes from better volumes. Perhaps the winter theme is just too limiting; jokes that would run in the paper seasonally are suddenly grouped together and the effect is overkill.
The artwork is as adorable as ever, and Mooch, Earl, and the gang are their usual goofy selves, but this collection was too repetitive and was missing the more heartwarming moments I’ve come to love from Mutts. There were a few vignettes that stood out for their superior quality, like one where Earl comes home without his sweater and a silent panel on the next page reveals he gave it to his bulldog friend who is always tied up outside, even in the snow. Or a discussion between Mooch and Earl about deer overpopulation that circles around to comment on human overpopulation. Moments like those are what have made me a Mutts fan. This book just had too few of them.
January 2, 2016
my daughter got this for Christmas (age 12) read this then I read it today. It really is all about Winter.
cute and funny and geez two snowflakes look different!
cute and funny and geez two snowflakes look different!
January 14, 2026
Just love them! The hibernation comic strips are my favorite after the shelter stories. So adorable!
July 27, 2015
Mooch!! That cat! Oh, I love Mutts, I have since I was a tiny thing, first discovered in a news paper, where I noticed that there was a cute comic strip featuring a small black and white dog and a cat that says yesh. At the time I had a small back and white dog and had recently said goodbye to my cat (doctors thought I was deathly allergic to cats, turned out I wasn't, so sad!) so it was no surprise my young self would latch onto the comic...and start saying yesh nigh constantly (I still do!)
This book is a collection of winter and snow themed strips, it is incredibly cute, and Mooch's overreacting to snow and weather in general is something hilarious. Earl is both cute and sweet, and like most dogs, has a perpetual hankering for human nibbles. It is not really a secret, Mooch has always been my favorite, he is just a whimsical cat that I am pretty sure is a perfect avatar for most cats...and I assume all cats speak with a lisp.
If you love Mutts and winter, this is the perfect collection of comic strips. Also if you are an animal lover, Mutts does a lot of work for finding homes for shelter animals and supports rescuing pets rather than buying them from breeders, both of my cats were rescues, so this is near and dear to my heart.
From Netgalley for a review
This book is a collection of winter and snow themed strips, it is incredibly cute, and Mooch's overreacting to snow and weather in general is something hilarious. Earl is both cute and sweet, and like most dogs, has a perpetual hankering for human nibbles. It is not really a secret, Mooch has always been my favorite, he is just a whimsical cat that I am pretty sure is a perfect avatar for most cats...and I assume all cats speak with a lisp.
If you love Mutts and winter, this is the perfect collection of comic strips. Also if you are an animal lover, Mutts does a lot of work for finding homes for shelter animals and supports rescuing pets rather than buying them from breeders, both of my cats were rescues, so this is near and dear to my heart.
From Netgalley for a review
January 10, 2016
'The Mutts Winter Diaries' by Patrick McDonnell is a series of Mutts strips about how cold it is this time of year. The humor is still great and will keep you warm.
Strips in this collection focus on snow, and the chance of snow, and having to go out for walks in the snow. There are also lots of strips about hibernating, either with actual bears or just staying home in bed. All the usual cast is featured like Earl the dog and Mooch the cat. The squirrels are still accurately chucking acorns at people and animals and poor Guard Dog is just cold, but he does end up with a few cast off dog sweaters. The volume concludes with tips on what animals go through in Winter and how to help them.
I liked this collection, but not as much as previous collections. I kept running into pages with just the logo of the comic in them. It was different art, but not a strip or anything, which was strange because I already knew what I was reading. It's a perfect collection for young readers, though.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrew McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Strips in this collection focus on snow, and the chance of snow, and having to go out for walks in the snow. There are also lots of strips about hibernating, either with actual bears or just staying home in bed. All the usual cast is featured like Earl the dog and Mooch the cat. The squirrels are still accurately chucking acorns at people and animals and poor Guard Dog is just cold, but he does end up with a few cast off dog sweaters. The volume concludes with tips on what animals go through in Winter and how to help them.
I liked this collection, but not as much as previous collections. I kept running into pages with just the logo of the comic in them. It was different art, but not a strip or anything, which was strange because I already knew what I was reading. It's a perfect collection for young readers, though.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrew McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
August 3, 2015
First of all, I want to thanks Netgalley for allowing me to obtained this ARC and in exchange, I will give my honest opinion and review.
I bought The Mutts Diaries via Kinokuniya online months ago and along that purchasing period I am recommended by that site for this book. Considering that I am a big fan of Mooch and Earl stories and Patrick McDonnell comics, I put it in my wishlist immediately.
Then miracle happens, 30 minutes ago while I was browsing in NetGalley and I found this! Ready to be download and waiting to be read, no requirements or request from publisher needed. So, I grab it as soon as I can. I read it, consumed it, laughed with it, awed with it.
I finished it with that remaining 30 minutes.
What can I say? I love it. I LOVE IT.
There are some strips that were taken from previous Patrick's works, but it is quite reasonable considering that this comic strips is all about Winter. So, this is definitely a good present for the young ones in Christmas or anyone who want to have a good laugh and quick read.
Adorable, witty, funny and amazing.
I bought The Mutts Diaries via Kinokuniya online months ago and along that purchasing period I am recommended by that site for this book. Considering that I am a big fan of Mooch and Earl stories and Patrick McDonnell comics, I put it in my wishlist immediately.
Then miracle happens, 30 minutes ago while I was browsing in NetGalley and I found this! Ready to be download and waiting to be read, no requirements or request from publisher needed. So, I grab it as soon as I can. I read it, consumed it, laughed with it, awed with it.
I finished it with that remaining 30 minutes.
What can I say? I love it. I LOVE IT.
There are some strips that were taken from previous Patrick's works, but it is quite reasonable considering that this comic strips is all about Winter. So, this is definitely a good present for the young ones in Christmas or anyone who want to have a good laugh and quick read.
Adorable, witty, funny and amazing.
August 1, 2015
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Very cute and exactly what I was expecting it to be. I miss stealing the comic section out of the paper back when I lived at home to read a few of my favorites -- Mutts was always one of those.
This is a collection of winter-themed strips, and therefore has some repetition of a few main concepts or jokes, but it doesn't really matter since they're just cute.
This has been geared towards children which is great, and there's even a section at the end that talks about different critters in the winter time and how they stay warm. There are even suggestions for things you can do, and a note to keep pets inside where it's warm when it gets snowy outside.
Very cute and exactly what I was expecting it to be. I miss stealing the comic section out of the paper back when I lived at home to read a few of my favorites -- Mutts was always one of those.
This is a collection of winter-themed strips, and therefore has some repetition of a few main concepts or jokes, but it doesn't really matter since they're just cute.
This has been geared towards children which is great, and there's even a section at the end that talks about different critters in the winter time and how they stay warm. There are even suggestions for things you can do, and a note to keep pets inside where it's warm when it gets snowy outside.
October 29, 2015
The Mutts Winter Diaries was a reminder of the winter joys I'm eagerly anticipating, although the snow and cold caused mixed feelings in characters. However, one solution was to avoid these unpleasantries by hibernating. Besides Mooch and Earl, birds, dogs, and annoying squirrels could jump in the story, too.
Comics are on lined journal paper. There are short episodes with inspiring messages between the lines and witty word games. I enjoyed the book because of its wintery atmosphere, and although the animals were grumpy few times, they still found joy in looking for similar snowflakes, hibernating and Christmas.
*I received a digital review copy from NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review
Comics are on lined journal paper. There are short episodes with inspiring messages between the lines and witty word games. I enjoyed the book because of its wintery atmosphere, and although the animals were grumpy few times, they still found joy in looking for similar snowflakes, hibernating and Christmas.
*I received a digital review copy from NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review
July 29, 2015
This is another cute collection of these comic best friends with over 150 pages of old strips. This obviously had a winter theme going on and I agreed with so many of Mooch's comments about winter and snow! These two are super cute and some of their friends show up throughout as well. Some comics are funnier than others, but they're all such fun to read. I also loved how some of them were in color (no doubt originally printed in the Sunday paper).
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
September 2, 2015
What an adorable book! There are so many frames that I highlighted because I am the same way in Winter! Or I could imagine my pets thinking similarly to Mooch and Earl! It's a very short book, just under 200 pages, but man, the cuteness abounds! I highly suggest this lovely collection of comics! Basically, I can't say enough, go out and get this cute book! I know I will! I want more!
August 1, 2017
I absolutely adore Mutts and hence Patrick McDonnell! I was tempted to put this on my Inspirational shelf-and I just still might do that! Mutt's is the embodiment of the warm fuzzies! The character Mooch and Earl are sweet, adorable and comical all at the same time. My day is always brightened by time spent with Mutts. Keep'em coming sir! BTW, I have Mutts Jammie's and a beautiful calendar to complete my Mutts crush!!!
December 23, 2019
This graphic novel uses humor to walk you through the winter months in the lives of Earl the dog and Mooch the cat. They run into many of their friends along the way, and you see how each are coping with the cold winter months. Some pages had me laughing out loud, but many pages were redundant to me. I think most Michiganders can appreciate some of the humor having lived through many of the same experiences described.
January 21, 2020
Such a cute book! Many of the panels are repetitive; however, they would run on different days of the week in newspapers, so that wouldn't matter so much. I love how sweet the characters are, especially when they help the chained-up bulldog be warm in the winter. I laughed out loud several times as I read this.
A 4th grade student was reading this and kept calling me over to show me parts. I just knew I had to read it. I can't wait to talk to him about it tomorrow.
A 4th grade student was reading this and kept calling me over to show me parts. I just knew I had to read it. I can't wait to talk to him about it tomorrow.
December 28, 2017
Mutts is one of my very favorite comic strips, along with Calvin and Hobbes, the Far Side and Pogo. This collection is aimed at kids but it is always fun to see Mooch and Earl. This copy will be for the grandkids!
February 6, 2020
It was an ok book and t was kind of funny when some of it was a dream. Some of the exciting were bolded also. I don't really have anything except some parts were confusing and all but yeah t is a pretty cool and funny book.
October 4, 2017
funny and relatable
October 25, 2017
A little repetitive. I did love the one on page 23. When asked to go on a walk, the dog pictures holding hands with his owner as they stroll along and it begins to snow. Made me happy.
January 3, 2018
Cartoon Tale of a dog and a cat's love/hate relationship with snow.
January 18, 2018
Mutts comics are always a delight!!!
April 19, 2018
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
May 21, 2018
Great book. A compilation of Patrick McDonnell’s Mutts comic strip - winter. I’m a big fan of his, and I love the book.
December 29, 2018
Love Mooch and his little pink sock soooooo much.
September 8, 2019
I love that Mooch has a thermal pink sock for winter. I love that they try to hibernate. I love that Mooch gets to watch Earl take walks in the snow and cold.
September 9, 2019
I like the goofy jokes in this book. It is good for anybody that needs a good laugh. You can read it pretty quickly but when you do it really leaves an impression.
September 13, 2019
Suitable for all ages, this comic book is sometimes funny. It would be a suitable choice for grade 2 and 3 libraries.
December 31, 2019
Fun snow comics.
January 19, 2020
very funny and cute.
March 5, 2020
Better than all the other season diaries of this series and did not lose its cute charm quickly.
November 19, 2022
I legit giggle
Why it so lowkey funny
Why it so lowkey funny
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews