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Dogs' Letters to Santa
New for the dog lover in the house—an equally memorable collection of letters to Santa...written by dogs. This unexpected and delightfully revealing volume tells how these canine cousins have an entirely different set of priorities—mainly involving love and food. With amusing illustrations throughout, this is an irresistibly unique compilation, and the perfect gift for anyone who loves dogs who love presents.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2006
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Bill Adler
334 books15 followersBill Adler pursued his goal of being the P.T. Barnum of books by conceptualizing, writing, editing, compiling and hustling hundreds of them — prompting one magazine to anoint him “the most fevered mind” in publishing.
Mr. Adler achieved early success by collecting and publishing letters children had written to President John F. Kennedy. He followed up with children’s letters to Smokey Bear, Santa Claus, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and President Barack Obama, among many others.
He helped popularize novels written by political, entertainment and sports celebrities, supplying ghostwriters and even plots. He signed up beauty queens to write diet and exercise books.
As an agent, his clients included Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Howard Cosell, Mike Wallace and Ralph Nader.
Mr. Adler was best known for his own titles. He wrote “What to Name Your Jewish Baby” (1966) with Arnie Kogen and “What Is a Cat? For Everyone Who Has Ever Loved a Cat” (1987). In 1969, he compiled “The Wit & Humor of Richard Nixon.” In 1995, he published “Cats’ Letters to Santa.”
One of his more famous tricks — a word he preferred to gimmicks — was the 1983 mystery novel “Who Killed the Robins Family?” by Bill Adler and Thomas Chastain. On the cover was an offer of a $10,000 reward for solving a series of fictional murders.
A team of four married couples from Denver won by coming up with the answers to 39 of 40 questions posed in the book. The book reached No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in January 1984 and remained there for the better part of a year, selling about a million copies.
“Ideas are my mistress,” Mr. Adler told United Press International in 1986, saying he used his “given abilities to conceptualize books.”
It was People magazine that commented on Mr. Adler’s “fevered mind” in 1983, adding that publishing traditionalists regarded book packagers like Mr. Adler as “money-crazed barbarians with the sensibilities of turnips.”
Referring to Mr. Adler’s books, Roger W. Straus Jr., president of the publisher Farrar, Straus & Giroux, told People: “They’re pretty chintzy, as a rule. It’s like throwing a quarter in the street. If you listen attentively, you find out it ain’t silver when it hits the ground.”
Others disagreed. “I consider Bill Adler unparalleled in the publishing industry — terribly, terribly original,” Mr. Cosell said.
One of Mr. Adler’s best-selling books was a collection called “The Kennedy Wit.” The president’s aides approved the project early in the administration, but Kennedy was said to have been angry about it, causing Random House to drop the idea. Mr. Adler suspected that the president had not wanted his humor emphasized so soon after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.
After 35 more publishers turned the book down, Mr. Adler finally obtained a $2,500 advance from Citadel Press, a small publisher. The book, released in 1964, after the president’s assassination, was on the New York Times best-seller list for more than six months and sold more than 1.4 million copies.
William Jay Adler was born in Brooklyn on May 14, 1929. His parents died when he was a child, and he was raised by relatives. He attended Brooklyn College for three years and was drafted into the Army, then trained as a flamethrower for the Korean War.
After finding out that flamethrowers led infantry into battle, he applied for Armed Forces Radio, saying he had experience in broadcasting, though he did not. He was a disc jockey in Tokyo until his discharge in 1953. He then worked in broadcasting, as humor editor at McCall’s magazine and as a book editor for Playboy, where he first came up with book ideas.
One brainstorm was to ask the Kennedy White House if he could read mail sent to the president. In a time of much looser security, he was allowed to spend the day copying letters in the White House pos
Mr. Adler achieved early success by collecting and publishing letters children had written to President John F. Kennedy. He followed up with children’s letters to Smokey Bear, Santa Claus, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and President Barack Obama, among many others.
He helped popularize novels written by political, entertainment and sports celebrities, supplying ghostwriters and even plots. He signed up beauty queens to write diet and exercise books.
As an agent, his clients included Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Howard Cosell, Mike Wallace and Ralph Nader.
Mr. Adler was best known for his own titles. He wrote “What to Name Your Jewish Baby” (1966) with Arnie Kogen and “What Is a Cat? For Everyone Who Has Ever Loved a Cat” (1987). In 1969, he compiled “The Wit & Humor of Richard Nixon.” In 1995, he published “Cats’ Letters to Santa.”
One of his more famous tricks — a word he preferred to gimmicks — was the 1983 mystery novel “Who Killed the Robins Family?” by Bill Adler and Thomas Chastain. On the cover was an offer of a $10,000 reward for solving a series of fictional murders.
A team of four married couples from Denver won by coming up with the answers to 39 of 40 questions posed in the book. The book reached No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in January 1984 and remained there for the better part of a year, selling about a million copies.
“Ideas are my mistress,” Mr. Adler told United Press International in 1986, saying he used his “given abilities to conceptualize books.”
It was People magazine that commented on Mr. Adler’s “fevered mind” in 1983, adding that publishing traditionalists regarded book packagers like Mr. Adler as “money-crazed barbarians with the sensibilities of turnips.”
Referring to Mr. Adler’s books, Roger W. Straus Jr., president of the publisher Farrar, Straus & Giroux, told People: “They’re pretty chintzy, as a rule. It’s like throwing a quarter in the street. If you listen attentively, you find out it ain’t silver when it hits the ground.”
Others disagreed. “I consider Bill Adler unparalleled in the publishing industry — terribly, terribly original,” Mr. Cosell said.
One of Mr. Adler’s best-selling books was a collection called “The Kennedy Wit.” The president’s aides approved the project early in the administration, but Kennedy was said to have been angry about it, causing Random House to drop the idea. Mr. Adler suspected that the president had not wanted his humor emphasized so soon after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.
After 35 more publishers turned the book down, Mr. Adler finally obtained a $2,500 advance from Citadel Press, a small publisher. The book, released in 1964, after the president’s assassination, was on the New York Times best-seller list for more than six months and sold more than 1.4 million copies.
William Jay Adler was born in Brooklyn on May 14, 1929. His parents died when he was a child, and he was raised by relatives. He attended Brooklyn College for three years and was drafted into the Army, then trained as a flamethrower for the Korean War.
After finding out that flamethrowers led infantry into battle, he applied for Armed Forces Radio, saying he had experience in broadcasting, though he did not. He was a disc jockey in Tokyo until his discharge in 1953. He then worked in broadcasting, as humor editor at McCall’s magazine and as a book editor for Playboy, where he first came up with book ideas.
One brainstorm was to ask the Kennedy White House if he could read mail sent to the president. In a time of much looser security, he was allowed to spend the day copying letters in the White House pos
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 21, 2020
Honestly what would have been even cuter and tugged on more heartstrings would have been if there was only one or two dogs that did a letter to Santa ever year they were or even before they were adopted. Then as they progress, you can see the true value of the holidays: them becoming more loved and grateful.
January 4, 2015
I bought this as a bargain book and am glad I did not pay a lot for it. It seems like a really cute idea. With the jokes practically all ready written. Yet, it just was not that funny or cute. There were a couple that were borderline, but most were just ... lame. Maybe i had too high of expectations. I do not know. But when you finish a book thinking, "I could have done better than that." it just depresses you. I guess overall, it is an ok book, but it certainly did not reach my expectations. Nor did it make me smile, laugh, or fill me with Christmas cheer.
January 16, 2012
I read this book in 20 minutes while sitting in the cafe at Barnes and Noble. It was cute, but not remarkably funny. Some of the passages seemed repeated numerous times. I got a kick out of it though, as any dog lover should.
December 26, 2018
In the grand tradition of "Kid's Letters to____" comes the letter's from every kid's best friend- The Dog.
Dogs from all over the place write to Santa, wanting a friend, or a ball, or a cat free home.
A must for anyone who is a dog owner.
Dogs from all over the place write to Santa, wanting a friend, or a ball, or a cat free home.
A must for anyone who is a dog owner.
December 26, 2024
Very cute and fun quick read. Merry Christmas, and one book closer to my goal.
Read with my cousin's daughter to dissuade her from stealing any of my blankets. In her defense, they're very good blankets. She was not interested in my prom dresses.
Read with my cousin's daughter to dissuade her from stealing any of my blankets. In her defense, they're very good blankets. She was not interested in my prom dresses.
December 27, 2019
A really sweet book with letters to Santa from dogs, I chuckled the whole way through.
December 10, 2021
We own 2 Golden Retrievers. Plus I run a daycare and the kiddos and I thought it was very cute.
January 9, 2024
1.5 Stars
This book seemed like it would be a cute idea. Instead it was pretty boring and I just wanted it to be over. Into the donation bag it goes!
This book seemed like it would be a cute idea. Instead it was pretty boring and I just wanted it to be over. Into the donation bag it goes!
October 29, 2014
I've read a couple similar books to this one. Nothing too serious here, just a fast read that takes a look at what our favorite canine companions might request from Santa. Could have used a few more illustrations or even photographs, as the illustrations that were there made the letters that much more fun. Overall, a cute book to read, but not one I'd purchase for multiple reads.
April 29, 2012
very cool,loved it.
April 18, 2013
Amusing letters to Santa that a dog might write if able. Such a cute gift from my coworker.
June 23, 2013
A waste of paper. At least it went quickly.
December 9, 2013
Short and not all sweet. Some letters were funny and creative, others were just kind of lame. This didn't take long to read, but overall I was expecting more and found this to be a bit disappointing.
December 30, 2013
A cute read for dog lovers. It kind of made me wonder what my dogs would ask Santa for!
December 22, 2014
Absolutely charming book. Perfect gift for dog lovers everywhere (in fact I read the copy I bought for my niece for Christmas - shhh! don't tell her!).
January 26, 2016
Kind of silly - an easy quick read
June 5, 2016
This book was ok. Very cute idea, letters to Santa from Dogs, however the writer wasn't that funny. And several letters were very similar. This book had the potential to be great.
December 20, 2017
Quick read. Good distraction to get away from college life for a little bit. A little repetitive but entertaining nonetheless. Worth a read for sure.
February 2, 2017
LOL's at quite a few of these. A quick enjoyable read!
December 27, 2024
Another annual Christmas read.
January 8, 2010
Very cute for dog lovers. Great Christmas stocking stuffer!
July 18, 2018
it was a very cutebook. I laughed quite a few times.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews