On Friday, October 20th, Left Bank Books and Schlafly Public Library presents Stephan Pastis, award winning cartoonist and creator of the syndicated comic strip "Pearls Before Swine." Join us for discussion of "Looking Up" a quirky and heartwarming middle grade novel about a girl struggling with loneliness and the curveballs of life--featuring black and white illustrations throughout! Pastis will also share from the beloved and hilarious "Pearls Seeks Enlightenment: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury!"

Pastis will personalize and sign copies after the presentation! If you are unable to make it to the event, leave a personalization note in your online order. Order your book from Left Bank Books to support local independent businesses! You can pick up your book after October 10th, pick up your book at the event, or have your signed book shipped to you after the event.

**About the book*
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Timmy Failure series comes a quirky and heartwarming middle grade novel about a girl struggling with loneliness and the curveballs of life--featuring black and white illustrations throughout!

Living alone with her mother in a poorer part of town, Saint--a girl drawn to medieval knights, lost causes, and the protection of birthday piñatas--sees the neighborhood she has always known and loved disappearing around her: old homes being torn down and replaced by fancy condos and coffee shops. But when her favorite creaky old toy store is demolished, she knows she must act.

Enlisting the help of Daniel "Chance" McGibbons, a quiet, round-faced boy who lives across the street (and whose house also faces the wrecking ball), Saint hatches a plan to save what is left of her beloved hometown.

**About "Looking Up"**
Living alone with her mother in a poorer part of town, Saint--a girl drawn to medieval knights, lost causes, and the protection of birthday piñatas--sees the neighborhood she has always known and loved disappearing around her: old homes being torn down and replaced by fancy condos and coffee shops. But when her favorite creaky old toy store is demolished, she knows she must act.

Enlisting the help of Daniel "Chance" McGibbons, a quiet, round-faced boy who lives across the street (and whose house also faces the wrecking ball), Saint hatches a plan to save what is left of her beloved hometown.

**About "Pearls Seeks Enlightenment"**
Stephan Pastis is no ordinary cartoonist. In his two decades of writing and illustrating the blockbuster daily comic strip "Pearls Before Swine" the award-winning humorist has traveled the globe, co-written a film for Disney+, and authored several hit book series, but always stopped short of total enlightenment--until now! Throughout the 256 pages of this treasury, Pastis provides commentary on each and every comic strip, along with photos, behind-the-scenes insights on the creative process, and meditations on how the tumultuous past two years have affected his life and work. Loyal readers and comics fans of all ages will be rewarded for digging into the uplifting, enlightening, and downright hilarious pages of the newest "Pearls Before Swine" treasury.

**About the author**
Stephan Pastis is the creator of the syndicated comic strip "Pearls Before Swine" which appears in over 800 newspapers. He is also the creator of the Timmy Failure book series and the cowriter of the Disney+ movie "Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made." He lives in Northern California with his wife and two kids.