Colorado Library Recommends Guardians of Being!

Great thanks to the Summit County Library for their review and recommendation of Guardians of Being, Patrick McDonnell’s and Eckhart Tolle’s recent collaboration.

Comparing the book to “a cup of aromatic coffee, with each sip imparting a fresh nuance of delight,” the review asks, “What do a cartoonist and a spiritual teacher have in common?” Answer: “a remarkable little book.”

“Tolle advises us that, 'Because dogs and cats still live in the original state of connectedness with Being, they can help us regain it.' His two remarks: 'It's so wonderful to watch an animal, because an animal has no opinion about itself,' and 'Oh, that was the dog's teaching. I'm just translating it into words,' contain an underlying playfulness, while McDonnell's masterful and delightfully savvy cartoons complement and enhance the accessibility of Tolle's message.”

Buy the book, or visit your public library, and enjoy each delicious sip of Guardians of Being!

Huffington Post: Thumbs up for The Gift of Nothing!

Huffington Post blogger and children’s lit expert Pam Allyn has put Patrick McDonnell’s The Gift of Nothing at the beginning of her list of “top recommendations for bedtime reading for all ages for the year 2010.” Allyn puts Patrick in her pantheon of “great authors who, honoring the mysterious yet profound world of childhood, steer us toward peace and community, and the promise of hope in the morning.”

In Pam's words,

“Mooch so wants to give his friend Earl a special gift, but Earl has everything. When Mooch realizes what Earl really wants is nothing, he goes about giving him nothing in a new and wonderful way. What you end with: Mooch and Earl’s simple yet joyous embrace.”

Thank you for your recommendation of The Gift of Nothing, Pam!

'Tis a Gift to be Simple: Combining Mutts and "The Power of Now"

If you are still pondering your New Year’s resolutions, perhaps keeping a copy of “Guardians of Being” on your bedside table is a good way to remind yourself of what’s most important in life.

In “Guardians of Being,” published last October, renowned spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle’s gentle injunctions to live in “the now” are combined with Patrick McDonnell’s soulful illustrations of man and his best friend in such a sweetly spirited way that a daily reading will help keep you on the right track as the days of 2010 come and go.

Patrick considers Tolle (author of “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth”), one of the inspirations of his life. In dreaming up “Guardians of Being,” Patrick thought a combination of his illustrations with Tolle’s wisdom about how animals and nature help humans get in touch with the “truth in the moment” would give a light touch to a vital message.

Elisabeth Brock’s review for Zootoo Pet News sums up this little gem:

“The overall message of an animal’s unconditional moment-by-moment outlook resonates throughout. Not only can dogs bring peace to their owners through love and loyalty, but humans can learn a few things about simple living from the pets that share our world… Zootoo Pet News gives ‘Guardians of Being’ 5-out-of-5 paws up. In a world struggling to understand purpose, this animal-themed narrative brings insight to the big picture of life.”

Simple gifts await in the pages of “Guardians of Being.” Try it out for yourself or a loved one before the new year gets older.

Congratulations to Indie #1 Bestseller "Guardians of Being"!

The newsh is in! The American Booksellers Association has just announced that for the eight-week period ending January 12, 2010, the #1 bestseller on the “Indie Mind, Body, Spirit” Bestseller List is Patrick McDonnell’s and Eckhart Tolle’s “Guardians of Being”! The list is based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide.

In this stressful world, so many of us need the comfort and wisdom of Eckhart Tolle’s teachings about nature and “the now,” and Patrick’s animal- and people-friendly illustrations. Tolle and McDonnell’s duet in “Guardians of Being” is reaching hearts and minds.

Thank you to all of our wonderful readers, and independent bookstores across the country.

Help the Hodges!

The National Cartoonists Society is rallying around the Hodge family. Tim Hodge is an animation artist who has worked on storyboards for Disney, and directed Veggie Tales projects. His teenage son Matthew, an A student and a drummer in his Tennessee high school championship marching band, was in an auto accident in August, 2009, and has been in a coma ever since.

Tim’s insurance refuses to cover Matthew’s long-term recovery, adding financial strain to the family’s emotional burden. To “Help the Hodges,” The NCS Foundation has announced its first major fundraising effort through the use of eBay, beginning January 21. Many NCS colleagues, including our own Patrick McDonnell, and others, have donated 160 pieces of amazing artwork to be put up for auction – the line-up of artists is incredible—here are just a few: Drew Struzan, Mort Walker, Nick Parks, Charles Schulz, Walt Kellly, Paul Coker, Jr., Stan Lee, Dan Piraro, Marc Davis, Glen Keane, and many, many more.

To see the items for sale, please go to Help The Hodges. And please come bid on items too!

Newsh-flash! MUTTS Books-Giveaway!

Tune in to WNYC (93.0 FM/820 AM) or WQXR (105.9 FM) on Wednesday, January 27th, you might be one of the lucky listeners to receive a free copy of Patrick’s “Guardians of Being,” or “Wag!”

“Guardians of Being” is Patrick’s latest, a collaboration with brilliant spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, while whimsical “Wag!” shows us how pretty much anything gets Earl’s tail wagging—a bowl of food, a field of flowers, a long walk… maybe even a good listen to your local National Public Radio stations!

Guardians of Being and Wag will be given away on air and online.

Thanks NPR!

Yoga Day!

This Saturday, January 23, is Yoga Day USA! This site lets you know where you can try a free workshop or get involved.

Join thousands across the country for Yoga Day USA, a history-making celebration where yogis, novices, couch potatoes and triathletes, young, old and everyone in between join together to stretch mind, body and spirit through the practice of yoga. In the spirit of karma yoga, or service to others, all Yoga Day USA classes and workshops are free — or nearly free. The brainchild of the Yoga Alliance, this powerful annual event is held in yoga studios, parks, beaches and private homes throughout the US.

Of course, you can always contribute to the spirit of it all by doing a little downward dog right in your living room.