Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in rural Missouri, where my best friends were horses, dogs, cats, ducks, and an occasional squirrel or injured bird. I developed rhyming and rhythm at an early age, and I got my first newspaper byline with a rhyming opinion piece. When I grew up, I became a writer. Then, when I had kids, I discovered the joy of writing children’s books, starting with rhyming board books and animals. To date, I’ve had over 500 books published, with at least one rhyming book annually for the past 40 years. The joy comes from writing my heart—my love for animals, rhyme, children, and God (not in that order).


I wrote

Christmas In The Barnyard

By Dandi Daley Mackall,

Book cover of Christmas In The Barnyard

What is my book about?

The Barnyard Blessings series features board books that combine fun, rhyming text with delightful animal illustrations. The result is pure…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Pajama Time!

Dandi Daley Mackall Why did I love this book?

In my home, this book is a classic. I love to see joyful animals enjoying life together. Rhymes are fresh, with a jazz rhythm that makes little readers want to dance along. It makes a great off-to-bed book as children put on their jammies with the hippo and then beg, “Read it again!” 

By Sandra Boynton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pajama Time! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this irrepressible good-night board book from the bestselling and beloved Sandra Boynton, it's time to head to bed to the beat!

A jump-roping chicken and a pig on a swing. A moose in striped pajamas and an elephant in a fuzzy one-piece with feet. In sing-along nuttiness reminiscent of Barnyard Dance!, it's time for the animals to put on their jammies and get ready for bed.

Pull on the bottoms.
Put on the top.
Get yourself set to pajama-dee-bop.
It's PAJAMA TIME!


Book cover of Who Knew? Under the Apple Tree

Dandi Daley Mackall Why did I love this book?

All kinds of God’s creatures sense the coming of fall as poetic language teaches young readers multiple animal and people truths. Kids will discover the joy of sensing the clues of nature and the signs that forecast changing seasons. It’s fun to guess which animal will be first to figure out the “mystery.”

The author uses ordinal numbers in a natural way, teaching first, second, third, etc., and teaching counting skills as well. I love the simple illustrations of animals acting the way each animal really acts. It’s a power-packed little book, weaving together a fall joy. And the more a parent reads the book, the more the child learns.

By Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton, Steph Marshall (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Who Knew? Under the Apple Tree as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

The apples are ripe! Which animal will be first to know? Or second? Or third? Inspire young readers to notice the arrival of fall with ordinal numbers in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

Nature gives us many signs of the changing seasons, if we pay attention and use our senses like animals do. Author Laurie Nazzaro Knowlton's poetic language seamlessly weaves together the arrival of fall, animal communication, and counting with ordinal numbers. Steph Marshall's bright, bold illustrations capture the animals' actions as they enjoy a fall feast.

Perfect as a read-aloud for fall story times and preschool and kindergarten…


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Book cover of The Colour Out of Space

The Colour Out of Space by H. P. Lovecraft,

What would you do if a meteorite landed in your own front yard? And not just any meteorite, but one that turns out to be some kind of mysterious force that will drain the life out of you and your surroundings?

Illustrator Sara Barkat lends her vision to H.P. Lovecraft’s…

Book cover of If I Ran the Zoo

Dandi Daley Mackall Why did I love this book?

I think I was born rhyming, and it was all my dad’s fault. He could turn anything into a rhyme, which is probably why I’ve always championed Dr. Seuss. Add in animals, like this book, and you’ve got one of my favorite children’s books.

Parents and teachers who have read the book out loud can’t help but be caught up in the joyful rhythm and inventive rhyme. I love the flights of imagination and wild, crazy animals in this delightful zoo. Little listeners smile all the way through, and when the book ends, their imaginations will continue to soar.

By Dr. Seuss,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked If I Ran the Zoo as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

.


Book cover of Beetle Bop

Dandi Daley Mackall Why did I love this book?

Denise Fleming has a wonderful way with words—unexpected rhymes, internal rhymes, repetition. I love animals, and beetles will do, especially these beetles—striped, spotted, all-over dotted. These beetles are super interesting, too. They creep and crawl, hide in cracks, and even crash. They are noisy, gnawing beetles, and you will love them. I’m no fan of bugs, but I love these guys. They bop and bring joy...especially if they stay inside of the pages of this book.

By Denise Fleming,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Beetle Bop as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

They crawl up walls, they hide in cracks, they flip, they fly, and sometimes...Crrrash. Beetles some in all shapes and sizes, and they are everywhere in this thoroughly buggy, beautifully designed book. There are striped beetles, spotted beetles, all-over-dotted beetles - and don't forget the noisily gnawing beetles! Whether you love bugs or whether the sight of them makes you itch, you will adore this infested offering from the beloved Denise Fleming.


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Book cover of Oops (They Woke the Gods)

Oops (They Woke the Gods) by Biff Mitchell,

Roman mythology stampedes into the present as the Gods of Elysium wake up after two thousand years sleeping from a spell gone wrong. Hell breaks loose on Earth as demons from Hades wreck havoc in a war against the mortals that threatens to start a war between the Gods themselves.…

Book cover of The Animal Boogie

Dandi Daley Mackall Why did I love this book?

I love to boogie, especially with kids and grandkids. We are a family of animal lovers, believers in Jesus, and crazy (in-house) dancers. This book has it all! The rhythm of each line is a song and dance as each animal boogie woogie oogies. Kids pick up animal movements: elephants stomp, stomp boogie woogie oogie; monkeys swing; birds fly. Child listeners get to guess which animal swings in trees or flies in the sky.

There is much joy to be found as the animals, readers, and listeners do the Animal Boogie.

By Debbie Harter,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Animal Boogie as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Dance on down to the jungles of India, where 6 colorful creatures are jumping and jiving beneath the canopy. In our bestselling singalong ever, inclusive illustrations invite all children to join in the fun. Kids beg to hear it again and again!


Explore my book 😀

Christmas In The Barnyard

By Dandi Daley Mackall,

Book cover of Christmas In The Barnyard

What is my book about?

The Barnyard Blessings series features board books that combine fun, rhyming text with delightful animal illustrations. The result is pure joy. In my book, join the Christmas Eve barnyard bustle as the animals prepare the stable for the exciting day. Singing kittens, tinsel-tossing hens, and a baking Mama Llama invite you to share the joy as barnyard creatures celebrate Jesus’ birth!

Sheep hang stockings filled with treats. Mama Llama makes her sweets. Baas and moos and neighs and tweets— Rejoice on Christmas Eve! Calves and Cardinals hunt for hours, Gathering gifts like nuts and flowers. Kittens sing—they’re great meow-ers. Praise on Christmas Eve!

Book cover of Pajama Time!
Book cover of Who Knew? Under the Apple Tree
Book cover of If I Ran the Zoo

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