On Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m., Labyrinth Books, in partnership with the Princeton Public Library, welcomes MUTTS cartoonist and award-winning author Patrick McDonnell as he discusses his new book, Heart to Heart: A Conversation on Love and Hope for Our Precious Planet. This event will be held at Labyrinth Books and is free to attend.

In this tale, a world-renowned religious leader and an American cartoonist join forces to create a whimsically illustrated volume with deceptively simple messages about saving the planet. The Dalai Lama supplies text and McDonnell provides the charming visuals as a panda comes to call on the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamsala, India. For the panda, the Dalai Lama recalls “the scent of wildflowers” from his childhood and the many animals he saw while traveling from the village of his birth to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. Yet since his childhood sojourn, a vast array of wildlife no longer remains. Meanwhile, “Peace and survival of life on earth as we know it are threatened by human activities,” the Dalai Lama tells the panda, but if humans engage in self-examination and begin “a compassionate revolution,” change is possible. 

Complemented by McDonnell’s skilled illustrations, the book’s uplifting and important perspective is clear: while the planet’s forecast may be dire, each individual is able — and obligated — to harness personal power to help save it. This book would make a life-affirming gift for readers of all ages. 

Labyrinth Books is located at 122 Nassau Street.

For questions, call 609.497.1600 or visit https://www.labyrinthbooks.com.