Children's author
Santa's Furry Helper
A Magical Christmas Eve
by Gloria Profusek ✦ illustrated by Aris Karavias
What happens when a dog writes a letter to Santa? Not a wish for a toy or a bone, but a wish for somebody else. A warm Christmas Eve story about friendship, hope, and the dogs still waiting for a home. For ages 5 to 8.
AGES
5 to 8
Christmas,
pet rescue
INSIDE
Educational
pages
FREE PACK
Activity
pages
The story
Motley is not a brave dog. He is a kind one. So when he sits down on Christmas Eve to write a letter to Santa, he does not ask for anything for himself. He asks for two things: to find Willow, his best friend, and to help the dogs out in the cold with nobody waiting for them.
Santa reads it. Santa answers. But there is a problem, because presents for the children and gifts for the dogs cannot all be delivered by one man in one night. So Santa does what Santa does, and with a little magic a timid dog becomes Motley-Claus, in a green coat and a green hat, riding out into the snow as Santa’s furry helper.
Together they set off on a holiday adventure filled with kindness, hope, and friendship, and Motley discovers that the smallest, shyest helper can change a great many nights at once.
The wish at the center of this book is not for the hero. That is the whole reason the magic happens.
Motley is a real dog
He is not invented for the story. Motley is Gloria’s guide dog, partnered with her through Leader Dogs for the Blind after she lost her vision to a degenerative eye disease. He became her companion first and her inspiration second. The dog in the green coat on the cover is him.
That is worth telling a child before you start reading. It changes the book.
The Educational pages inside the book
Eight activity pages, each ready to use on the spot with no preparation needed.
Motley-Claus Activity Pack
A letter to Santa to fill in, a snow maze, spot the difference, a matching game, connect the dots, a drawing page, and coloring pages from the book.
For ages 5 to 8.
Also by Gloria Profusek
Motley's Big Adventure
A Guide Dog’s Trip to Alaska
by Gloria Profusek
Can Motley find a secret waterfall in Alaska? Join brave Motley and his blind mom as they search deep in an Alaska rainforest. A fierce-looking bear blocks the trail, the path they take instead leaves them lost, and the light is going. With the help of some newfound forest friends, Motley taps into his guide dog skills to find the waterfall and lead them back out before dark. Using courage, determination, and a loud bark, he shows that even the smallest heroes can overcome big challenges.
About the author
Questions
What age is this book for?
Ages 5 to 8. It is written to be read aloud at bedtime in one sitting, and confident readers of 7 and up can take it on themselves.
What is the story about?
Motley, a shy and nervous little dog, writes a letter to Santa. He asks Santa to find his missing best friend, Willow, and to help all the lost and homeless dogs on Christmas Eve. With a little Santa magic, Motley becomes Motley-Claus, Santa’s special furry helper, and spends the night finding dogs a loving home.
Is Motley a real dog?
Yes. Motley is Gloria Profusek’s own guide dog. He also stars in Gloria’s earlier book, Motley’s Big Adventure: A Guide Dog’s Trip to Alaska.
Is the story too sad for young children?
No. Lost and homeless dogs are the heart of the story, but every worried moment is short and quickly put right, and the book ends with every dog finding a family. It is a gentle way to start a conversation about rescue and adoption.
Are there activities in the book?
Yes. Educational pages at the back include Motley’s fun facts about dogs, a quiz about Motley’s night and a counting hunt through the story.
Is the activity pack really free?
Yes. Enter a grown-up’s email at readnlearn.com/motleyclaus and we send it straight over: a snow maze, a matching game, spot the difference, connect the dots, a drawing page, a letter to Santa and coloring pages, in color and black and white.
