Santa Paws: The Picture Book

by Ellen Emerson White, Deborah Schecter, Robert J. Blake (Illustrator)

This story about a courageous dog, written by best-selling author Ellen Emerson White and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Robert Blake, is the perfect gift for Christmas!

It's the week before Christmas, and the families in Oceanport are gathering, buying presents, hanging garlands, and celebrating. But one inhabitant is all alone--a scruffy, brown dog with no home, no owner, and no one to watch out for him. But the dog does have a heart of gold. He comes to the rescue of an elderly woman, a drowning boy, and a family whose house is on fire, at his own peril. Then, on Christmas Eve, the dog finally stumbles, wounded and exhausted, into the arms of the boy who loves him most of all. At last Santa Paws has found a home, just in time for Christmas!

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Animals, Family, Holiday

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

This talented writer attended Tufts University (and published her first book, Friends for Life, while a senior there) and currently lives in New York City. Ms. White grew up in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Many of her novels feature characters who reside in or around Boston and are fans of the Boston Red Sox (as is Ms. White). In addition to novels, Ms. White has published several biographies. She also writes under the pseudonym Zack Emerson (taking the name Zack from the name of her shepherd dog) and under the pseudonym Nicholas Edwards (Santa Paws series).

Reviews

[Megan Rowland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a lost dog. The dog didn't have anyone, but wanted a family badly. One thing I did notice is that each page has the words on every other page. The dog keeps you wondering what he is going to do next. Then, the last page makes you smile. The "Santa Paws" finally has a family to love.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hard for me to pass up a book about a stray dog that is rescued, but I probably should have let this one pass me by. I mean c'mon...how many times can one dog save someone's life in the span of 40 pages?

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for more books that I have read and I found this one I loved this book a different version of this book when I was just a child.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it until it got overly ridiculous--- A rabbi in a Catholic Church preaching about a dog named Santa Paws on Christmas morning. Sorry this is NEVER going to happen and you know what, it should NEVER happen--In fact--it is perfect for that to NEVER happen. A rabbi doesn't celebrate Christmas! It is a Catholic holy day! "Christ's Mass---Christmas." On Christmas Day (and every other day of the year), Catholics celebrate Jesus Christ and HIS divinity as GOD. That is something a rabbi would not believe in.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable, heartwarming story about a lost dog searching for a family and saving the day multiple times in the process. A wonderful, feel-good holiday story but much wordier than most picture books published today. It's well-written but younger children may not have the attention span for this book, so probably best for older kids (more thematically appropriate for them too).

[Nancy Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adapted from the "Santa Paws" series by Ellen Emerson White with illustrations by Robert J Blake, young children will be amazed how a wandering mutt comes to the rescue...not just once but several times. Children will most likely cheer for the heart warming ending.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story about a stray dog looking for friends ... traveling around the city helping people where ever there is need ... befriending a couple of boys ... a great story!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2016 I rated this 4 stars, before I had read the chapter books.

Now, I rate it 3 stars, but that is because it's not as fascinating as the chapter books! Still, it's a good story for all kids.