Dog Who Thought He Was Santa

The Nose Knows

Don Franklin's dog, Frank, is a bloodhound, so he can smell when something's wrong. And a lot seems to be wrong in Don's family. Mom and Dad are worried about money, especially with Christmas right around the corner and the threat of the mine closing. Don's worried because he's just discovered how dangerous Dad's job in the mine is. And they're all worried about getting Don's little sister, Susan, what she wants for Christmas, when she won't tell anyone but Santa Claus what it is. It looks as if Christmas might not be all that merry at the Franklins' house.

But Christmas is a time for miracles, whether seen from a boy's perspective or a dog's — and The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa looks at the Franklins' Christmas miracle from both.

The Nose Knows

Don Franklin's dog, Frank, is a bloodhound, so he can smell when something's wrong. And a lot seems to be wrong in Don's family. Mom and Dad are worried about money, especially with Christmas right around the corner and the threat of the mine closing. Don's worried because he's just discovered how dangerous Dad's job in the mine is. And they're all worried about getting Don's little sister, Susan, what she wants for Christmas, when she won't tell anyone but Santa Claus what it is. It looks as if Christmas might not be all that merry at the Franklins' house.

But Christmas is a time for miracles, whether seen from a boy's perspective or a dog's — and The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa looks at the Franklins' Christmas miracle from both.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-Pervasive worry plagues young and old when labor unrest and an imminent strike threaten an Oklahoma coal-mining town during the 1957 Christmas season. The tale is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of 11-year-old Don Franklin, whose father works in the mine, and his nosy bloodhound, Frank, who has an uncanny ability to sense human emotion and behavior (including lies). Though the plot is slightly far-fetched, Wallace's folksy tone deftly captures the sense of place and time right down to the tiny town's switchboard-operated telephone. This is a satisfying feel-good story involving a protective pooch and a family Christmas miracle. Dog lovers are sure to enjoy it.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

Bill Wallace grew up in Oklahoma. Along with riding their horses, he and his friends enjoyed campouts and fishing trips. Toasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories to scare one another, and catching fish was always fun.

One of the most memorable trips took place on the far side of Lake Lawtonka, at the base of Mt. Scott. He and his best friend, Gary, spent the day shooting shad with bow and arrows, cutting bank poles, and getting ready to go when their dads got home from work.

Although there was no "monster" in Lake Lawtonka, one night there was a "sneak attack" by a rather large catfish tail. Checking the bank poles was not nearly as fun or "free" after that point, but it was the inspiration for this story.

Bill Wallace has won nineteen children's state awards and been awarded the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award for Children's Literature from the Oklahoma Center for the Book.