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Mutts
The Gift of Nothing: All Ages Christmas Holiday Classic About Love and Friendship―with Characters from the MUTTS Comic
★A New York Times and USA Today bestseller!★
From the beloved author and creator of the popular comic strip Mutts comes this classic story about nothing—and everything!—perfect for gift-giving at the holidays and year-round.
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 nothing! But it turns out nothing is harder to find than you'd think...
This perennial favorite from bestselling author and the award-winning creator of the beloved comic strip MUTTS sends a heartfelt, timeless message about the priceless value of friendship.
Don't miss these other picture books by Patrick
The Gift of Everything
Me…Jane
Art
Hug Time
Tek
The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABC's (the Hard Way)
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
The Monsters’ Monster
From the beloved author and creator of the popular comic strip Mutts comes this classic story about nothing—and everything!—perfect for gift-giving at the holidays and year-round.
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 nothing! But it turns out nothing is harder to find than you'd think...
This perennial favorite from bestselling author and the award-winning creator of the beloved comic strip MUTTS sends a heartfelt, timeless message about the priceless value of friendship.
Don't miss these other picture books by Patrick
The Gift of Everything
Me…Jane
Art
Hug Time
Tek
The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABC's (the Hard Way)
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
The Monsters’ Monster
56 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2005
About the author
Patrick McDonnell
182 books399 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
November 11, 2016
I read this a long time ago, and today, as I was cleaning out and reorganising my bookshelf, I read it again.
God, it's good.
For a rather simply illustrated book with animal characters and not much going on, it packs a really incredible emotional punch- this thing made me cry. I think it's a book that many more people should read, especially now that we're nearing the holiday season; in a world of so much something, so many of us have forgotten the joy of nothing.
This is a perfect, adorable, and heartwarming book.
God, it's good.
For a rather simply illustrated book with animal characters and not much going on, it packs a really incredible emotional punch- this thing made me cry. I think it's a book that many more people should read, especially now that we're nearing the holiday season; in a world of so much something, so many of us have forgotten the joy of nothing.
This is a perfect, adorable, and heartwarming book.
April 24, 2010
My child went shopping with me, and I found him walking around saying, "the latest this, the newest that, buy, sale, sale, buy; there is nothing to buy ..." And I realized the book had changed his life. For the better. Just a joy. And a must for every parent.
January 18, 2026
thank you tilly !!
June 21, 2013
Mooch the cat needs to find a birthday present for Earl the dog, who's already got everything. What's he going to do? He cunningly solves the problem by giving Earl nothing, wrapped up in a box with a pretty bow.
It's cute, though if I were going to be pedantic I might complain that the basic joke was ripped off from Hurra för pappa Åberg! , which actually has a more elaborate version. But most likely Gunilla Bergström ripped it off in turn from Sophocles or one of those dudes. I can't believe that nobody before the twentieth century thought of this one.
It's cute, though if I were going to be pedantic I might complain that the basic joke was ripped off from Hurra för pappa Åberg! , which actually has a more elaborate version. But most likely Gunilla Bergström ripped it off in turn from Sophocles or one of those dudes. I can't believe that nobody before the twentieth century thought of this one.
July 2, 2012
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell is an adorable, heartwarming, *hug*-inspiring gem of a book!
Mooch is on the hunt for that perfect gift for his best friend, Earl. But with simple, small, black-and-white-with-a-dash-of-color, hilariously expressive illustrations, Mr. McDonnell shows that some of the best gifts in life do not fit in a box.
I highly recommend this sweet tale of friendship and love. My heart is still “awww-ing” all over the place! :)
Thanks, Sonia!
7/13/12
Mooch is on the hunt for that perfect gift for his best friend, Earl. But with simple, small, black-and-white-with-a-dash-of-color, hilariously expressive illustrations, Mr. McDonnell shows that some of the best gifts in life do not fit in a box.
I highly recommend this sweet tale of friendship and love. My heart is still “awww-ing” all over the place! :)
Thanks, Sonia!
7/13/12
October 19, 2010
well even though im in 8th grade doesn't mean i cant read picture books! this book is so cute and the perfect christmas story to read to young readers. well Mooch is trying to get his best friend Erik a christmas gift but tells his self "how do i get someone something when they already have everything?" well he decides to get erik the gift of nothing! well find the book and read it for yourself to find out Mooch's adventures!
February 20, 2013
Mooch wants to give his friend, Earl, the perfect gift but he has everything. What do you give the person who has everything? Simple, nothing. The illustrations are cute and simple allowing the message of friendship to be the star. Great book.
February 14, 2023
I read this book to Julianna tonight. Short sweet book. School gave out for "Monday Moments" homework. Julianna and I gave this book 5 stars. Friendship theme & adorable ending.
July 16, 2025
This was so cute!
December 4, 2024
I thrifted a few children’s books today, and this was in my haul. It’s nothing crazy & some would argue it’s nothing, but I sure thought it was something.
It was simple, and something I look forward to reading my future kiddos. Nothing is worth more than those around you :)
It was simple, and something I look forward to reading my future kiddos. Nothing is worth more than those around you :)
October 30, 2022
Adorable!
October 24, 2013
"What could you give to the person who has everything?" adalah premis dasar dari buku ini. Cerita dimulai di suatu hari yang spesial ketika Mooch, si kucing, pengen kasi kado untuk sahabatnya Earl-si anjing. Tapi apa yang bisa dikasi oleh Mooch untuk Earl yang sudah punya semuanya?
Dan karenanya Mooch pun kepikiran untuk ngadoin Earl : "nothing". Masalahnya adalah "Di mana dia bisa menemukan nothing?"
Mulailah dia mencari si "nothing" itu. Frank (majikannya) bilang "there's nothing on tv", tapi buat Mooch selalu ada sesuatu di tv. Istrinya Frank mengeluh gak ada apa-apa di toko, jadi Mooch pergi ke toko tapi ternyata ada banyak barang di toko.
(ps : ternyata gak bisa upload slideshow di GR. Yo wis...sila cek ke sini buat yg penasaran sama artwork bukunya : http://www.photosnack.com/FDAC898F8D6...)
Lalu di mana dan bagaimana Mooch akhirnya bisa ketemu "nothing"? Hehehe...baca sendiri ahh ;).
Di antara tumpukan children books obral di Bras Basah, buku ini langsung menarik perhatian saya karena artwork-nya yang simpel dan bersih. Dengan permainan warna hitam, putih dan merah, tanpa tarikan garis yang ribet serta teks yang singkat, buku ini enak dan gampang banget dibaca oleh anak kecil dan orang dewasa. Kualitas artwork-nya emang gak perlu diragukan secara penulis adalah Patrick McDonnell, yang bikin comic strip Mutts yang beken itu.
Mengenai storyline sendiri, seperti layaknya buku grafis setipe yang (menurut saya) semestinya-buat-anak-anak-tapi-bermakna-dalam, buku ini juga mengandung pesan moral dan sindiran halus. Kinda remind me with Shel Silverstein's books.
Di buku ini, Patrick menyindir betapa kita suka mengeluhkan bahwa kita gak sedang "ngapa-ngapain". Familiar dengan kalimat-kalimat ini :
"Ah gak ada apa-apa di TV. Gak asik nih kita nontonnya."
atau
"Kita gak ngapa-ngapain nih? Gak ke kebunnya Pak Tani buat nyuri timun? Boring ah."
atau yang ini :
"Ish...gak asik nih toko. Gak ada apa-apanya!"
Padahal....masa iya sih gak ada? Ada kali ya. Di toko itu ada something kok, begitu pun di TV.
Cuma saja kita sudah punya ekspektasi sendiri akan barang yang bisa kita dapat di toko tersebut atau acara yang mau kita tonton. Dan ketika kita mendapatkan "yang di bawah standar", maka kita pun mencapnya dengan "nothing".
Mungkin, kalo aja kita mau mengecilkan ekspektasi sedikit dan menikmati apa yang ada, then we could find there is actually something in everything. Membaca usaha Mooch mencari "nothing" menyadarkan saya akan hal itu. Ah betapa saya kurang bersyukur pada fakta saya selalu punya "something" untuk dilakukan (atau dikeluhkan, tergantung kondisi) X).
Oya..ada satu adegan menggelitik waktu Mooch udah menemukan "nothing" dan memberikannya ke Earl.
Hehehe....teringat betapa kita suka basa-basi kalo ditanya : "Mau dikasi apa?", lalu dijawab "Ah gak usahlah". So for once, kali ini si Earl beneran dapat nothing X).
This book has a sweet ending. The kind of ending that warmed my heart and made me wanna say "awww".
The kind of ending that made me think : instead of complaining about having nothing to do with my friends, I should have just enjoyed that.
Us, doing nothing and just enjoying each other companion. Isn't that the good way to spend time?
PS 1 : Pas lagi browsing, saya baru tahu ternyata ada yang jualan "nothing". Sayang Mooch gak nemuin barang ini di toko ya :))
Barang ini dijual di Amazon seharga US$ 5. Ada yang berminat beli?
Dan karenanya Mooch pun kepikiran untuk ngadoin Earl : "nothing". Masalahnya adalah "Di mana dia bisa menemukan nothing?"
Mulailah dia mencari si "nothing" itu. Frank (majikannya) bilang "there's nothing on tv", tapi buat Mooch selalu ada sesuatu di tv. Istrinya Frank mengeluh gak ada apa-apa di toko, jadi Mooch pergi ke toko tapi ternyata ada banyak barang di toko.
(ps : ternyata gak bisa upload slideshow di GR. Yo wis...sila cek ke sini buat yg penasaran sama artwork bukunya : http://www.photosnack.com/FDAC898F8D6...)
Lalu di mana dan bagaimana Mooch akhirnya bisa ketemu "nothing"? Hehehe...baca sendiri ahh ;).
Di antara tumpukan children books obral di Bras Basah, buku ini langsung menarik perhatian saya karena artwork-nya yang simpel dan bersih. Dengan permainan warna hitam, putih dan merah, tanpa tarikan garis yang ribet serta teks yang singkat, buku ini enak dan gampang banget dibaca oleh anak kecil dan orang dewasa. Kualitas artwork-nya emang gak perlu diragukan secara penulis adalah Patrick McDonnell, yang bikin comic strip Mutts yang beken itu.
Mengenai storyline sendiri, seperti layaknya buku grafis setipe yang (menurut saya) semestinya-buat-anak-anak-tapi-bermakna-dalam, buku ini juga mengandung pesan moral dan sindiran halus. Kinda remind me with Shel Silverstein's books.
Di buku ini, Patrick menyindir betapa kita suka mengeluhkan bahwa kita gak sedang "ngapa-ngapain". Familiar dengan kalimat-kalimat ini :
"Ah gak ada apa-apa di TV. Gak asik nih kita nontonnya."
atau
"Kita gak ngapa-ngapain nih? Gak ke kebunnya Pak Tani buat nyuri timun? Boring ah."
atau yang ini :
"Ish...gak asik nih toko. Gak ada apa-apanya!"
Padahal....masa iya sih gak ada? Ada kali ya. Di toko itu ada something kok, begitu pun di TV.
Cuma saja kita sudah punya ekspektasi sendiri akan barang yang bisa kita dapat di toko tersebut atau acara yang mau kita tonton. Dan ketika kita mendapatkan "yang di bawah standar", maka kita pun mencapnya dengan "nothing".
Mungkin, kalo aja kita mau mengecilkan ekspektasi sedikit dan menikmati apa yang ada, then we could find there is actually something in everything. Membaca usaha Mooch mencari "nothing" menyadarkan saya akan hal itu. Ah betapa saya kurang bersyukur pada fakta saya selalu punya "something" untuk dilakukan (atau dikeluhkan, tergantung kondisi) X).
Oya..ada satu adegan menggelitik waktu Mooch udah menemukan "nothing" dan memberikannya ke Earl.
Hehehe....teringat betapa kita suka basa-basi kalo ditanya : "Mau dikasi apa?", lalu dijawab "Ah gak usahlah". So for once, kali ini si Earl beneran dapat nothing X).
This book has a sweet ending. The kind of ending that warmed my heart and made me wanna say "awww".
The kind of ending that made me think : instead of complaining about having nothing to do with my friends, I should have just enjoyed that.
Us, doing nothing and just enjoying each other companion. Isn't that the good way to spend time?
PS 1 : Pas lagi browsing, saya baru tahu ternyata ada yang jualan "nothing". Sayang Mooch gak nemuin barang ini di toko ya :))
Barang ini dijual di Amazon seharga US$ 5. Ada yang berminat beli?
July 1, 2022
A solid message, but let's be honest here this was just to pad my stats.
January 24, 2015
"I liked the part where the gift was nothing. I didn't like the part where I had to sound out words. I just went 'blah. blah. blah. I just don't like sounding out big words. And I liked to read it to Baby Giraffee. Next time he would like the artist to draw a picture of him and me together."
Mama thinks the idea of the gift of nothing is rather special. In the end the "nothing" was a special "something". Although Mama loved the idea, I told her I want more than nothing on my birthday.
Mama thinks the idea of the gift of nothing is rather special. In the end the "nothing" was a special "something". Although Mama loved the idea, I told her I want more than nothing on my birthday.
August 6, 2010
There is something called "the gift of NOTHING"
and definitely you wont know it till you read the book
FANTASTIC
cozy and intelligent "friendship" book
I already have a list of ppl whom I want them to read it ;D
في كل مرة يحتم علي أن أقدم هدية
أجدني في حيرة
:$ أما الآن أضحى كل شيء
"سهلا"
كتاب عن الصداقة
and definitely you wont know it till you read the book
FANTASTIC
cozy and intelligent "friendship" book
I already have a list of ppl whom I want them to read it ;D
في كل مرة يحتم علي أن أقدم هدية
أجدني في حيرة
:$ أما الآن أضحى كل شيء
"سهلا"
كتاب عن الصداقة
June 17, 2013
It is great that author/illustrator Patrick McDonnell practices what he preaches in regards to animal advocacy. His books carry so many important messages concerning how animals enrich our lives. I also enjoy how he weaves guiding principles along with funny tales (tails) involving Earl & Mooch on how we as humans can coexist better with nature.
September 28, 2010
The best gift to give is the gift if nothing because it is hard to find.
Thank you Huda for giving me the gift of nothing.
Thank you Huda for giving me the gift of nothing.
January 19, 2012
I want to give this book to every child. And every friend. A must for every personal library. So simple and so pure. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
May 23, 2015
What a sweet little book about the best gift of all! Adorable illustrations... adding it to my "books to give as gifts" list.
January 27, 2016
One of my fave children's books <3
December 16, 2016
A lovely reminder of "being together" is more important than things and places.
December 30, 2023
Super cute 🥰
May 13, 2009
Most excellent book Diane! It brightened my day
March 4, 2019
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell is a book about Mooch wanting to give his best friend, Earl, a gift because it’s a special day. However, Mooch was having a hard time thinking of a present to give to Earl, because Earl has everything. He looked around and he went out, but everyone was saying that there was nothing…So Mooch came up an idea and wrapped nothing in a box and brought it to Earl. When he opened the gift there was nothing, and Mooch said, there is nothing but you and me! They stayed still and enjoyed nothing and everything for the night.
The overall them of The Gift of Nothing is about how the present itself doesn’t matter, what is matters is the friendship and the heart of giving.
Reading this book is very heartwarming and really feeling how friendship truly look like. It is sweet and full of love. Lots of time people tend to judge the gift base on price, however, through this book it emphasizes how they could be priceless.
I would recommend this book to children, because it is pretty straightforward and easy to understand. It would be great for children to understand the warm, sweet, and love of friendship in a fun way.
The overall them of The Gift of Nothing is about how the present itself doesn’t matter, what is matters is the friendship and the heart of giving.
Reading this book is very heartwarming and really feeling how friendship truly look like. It is sweet and full of love. Lots of time people tend to judge the gift base on price, however, through this book it emphasizes how they could be priceless.
I would recommend this book to children, because it is pretty straightforward and easy to understand. It would be great for children to understand the warm, sweet, and love of friendship in a fun way.
January 1, 2019
A work of genius in many ways. More of a picture book for teens and adults, a great gift. How many times do people tell us, “Don’t give me anything,”? This book is perfect. The gift in the story is an empty box. A gift of nothing. Nothing but friendship and love. I thought about what beautiful inscriptions could go inside the first page, bringing tears to the eyes of many a grandparent or best friend. I also thought about what innovative writing pieces students could create based on this unique little book. Patrick McDonnell draws the beloved comic strip “Mutts,” and those sweet characters are the stars of “The Gift if Nothing.” Read it aloud to younger kids, too. They will teach you as they always do.
February 25, 2023
My uncle used to read this book to me every Christmas Eve when I was a little kid. Now I read it to my little cousin although she gets bored most of the time and runs away because she’s 3 and gets easily distracted so I’m left to read it by myself. But I love this book so much it never gets old no matter how many times I’ve read it. It’s short and sweet. The illustrations are so cute and I love the wholesome message. The “who told him?” line cracks me up every time. It’s a perfect read during the holidays since it has the message of the importance of quality time with loved ones over gifts and material things. This book will always have a special place in my heart as one of my favorite childhood books❤️✨.
June 8, 2024
I chose this book because of the message that the best gifts to give are the simplest ones. The topic of this story is friendship and the best gifts to give are the simplest ones. This story is a cat named Mooch, who wants to find the perfect gift for his friend Earl the dog. Mooch realizes that Earl has everything he needs and decides that the best gift is nothing but their friendship. This story is appropriate for children ages 4 to 8 years old. I would begin with asking students what was the best gift they've ever received was and why. Then I would follow up with reading the title and ask, What do they think a gift of nothing could be? After reading, I would ask, What does Mooch learn about gifts and friendship?
April 27, 2024
Such a cute book! I know the art is a little bit of an acquired taste, since Mutts is drawn with a particularly simplistic style, but the heart of the book is adorable and wholesome!
The gift isn't LITERALLY nothing, of course (er, spoiler), but a sort of appreciation of what we already have. Ironic, then, that this would be a gift someone ended up donating (as per the inscription to the prior owner). Well... it's the thought that counts?
Absolutely recommended for fans of Mutts and/or anti-capitalism!
The gift isn't LITERALLY nothing, of course (er, spoiler), but a sort of appreciation of what we already have. Ironic, then, that this would be a gift someone ended up donating (as per the inscription to the prior owner). Well... it's the thought that counts?
Absolutely recommended for fans of Mutts and/or anti-capitalism!
October 16, 2025
A few years ago someone gave me this little book and it’s honestly perfect. It’s just this sweet, quiet reminder that sometimes the best gifts aren’t things at all, they’re just… being with someone you love. It’s one of those books that looks like it’s for kids, but really it’s for anyone who needs to slow down and remember what actually matters. I keep it on my shelf, and every time I notice it, it makes me smile. It’s small, thoughtful, and somehow says more with less, which, if you think about it, is kind of the whole point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews