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Stephan Pastis, the creator of the popular

comic strip, has started a series of children's books.

is the story of a young detective who owns his own agency, Total Failure, Inc. His friend and partner is a large polar bear, Total, with an even larger appetite. They charge $4 per day, plus expenses, including chicken nuggets.

The concept is that Timmy and Total are inept but they don't know it. Pastis said he field-tested the book on his two children, ages 15 and 11, and watched to see which sections they found funny. He's completed another book in the series and said he's having such fun he'll keep going while continuing "Pearls Before Swine," which appears in The Oregonian and more than 600 other newspapers.

before his last visit to Portland, Pastis said he loves doing appearances.

It's like I get to be Santa Claus," Pastis said. "For someone who works alone in a room, it's really gratifying."

Pastis will talk about his work and sign copies of "Timmy Failure" and "Pearls Before Swine" collections at 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at

4807 N.E. Fremont St.