Mackall, Dandi Daley 1949-
Mackall, Dandi Daley 1949-
(Dandi)
Personal
Born Dorothy Ann Daley, March 24, 1949, in Kansas City, MO; daughter of F.R. (a physician) and Helen (a nurse) Daley; married Joseph S. Mackall (a professor and writer); children: Jennifer, Katy, Dan. Education: University of Missouri—Columbia, B.A., 1971; University of Central Oklahoma, M.A., 1989; also attended Institute of Biblical Studies (Arrowhead, CA) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Politics: "Independent." Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Horseback riding, tennis, walking, painting.
Addresses
Home and office—1254 Tupelo Lane, West Salem, OH 44287. E-mail—[email protected].
Career
Author, educator, and lecturer. Freelance manuscript reviewer and editor, 1978-86; University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, lecturer in writing for children, 1986-89; freelance writer and public speaker, 1989—. Southwest Community College, Creston, IA, instructor, 1984-86; Southern Nazarene University, instructor, 1986-89; Ashland University, instructor, 1990-94; Institute of Children's Literature, instructor. Speaker at conferences; guest on television and radio programs.
Member
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (religious coordinator, 1990-94), PEN International, Phi Beta Kappa.
Awards, Honors
Silver Medallion Award, for Degrees of Guilt and God Made Me; Romantic Times Pick of the Month designation, for Love Rules; American Library Association Best Books for Young Readers nomination, 2006, and Ohioana Award finalist, 2007, both for Eva Underground; Distinguished Alumna Award, University of Missouri, 2006.
Writings
FOR CHILDREN
The Best Christmas Ever, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1986.
A Secret Birthday Gift, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1987.
A Super Friend, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1987.
Me First, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1987.
Allyson J. Cat, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1989.
Allyson J. Cat Coloring Book, with cassette, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1989.
The Christmas Gifts That Didn't Need Wrapping, illustrated by Dawn Mathers, Augsburg-Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 1990.
It's Only Ali Cat, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1990.
An Ali Cat Christmas, illustrated by Kathryn Hutton, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1991.
Kay's Birthday Surprise, illustrated by Dawn Mathers, Augsburg-Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 1992.
A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts, Hanna Barbera, 1995.
No Biz like Show Biz, Hanna Barbera, 1995.
Millionaire Astro, Hanna Barbera, 1995.
Home Sweet Jellystone, Hanna Barbera, 1995.
Seasons, Landoll's, 1995.
Baby Animals, Landoll's, 1995.
Secret Night, Landoll's, 1995.
Who's a Goblin?, Landoll's, 1995.
The Halloween Secret, Landoll's, 1995.
Circus Counting, Landoll's, 1995.
ABC's of Lunch, Landoll's, 1995.
Things That Go, Landoll's, 1995.
Bugs and Butterflies, Landoll's, 1995.
Under the Water, Landoll's, 1995.
Santa's Toy Shop, Landoll's, 1995.
Scooby Doo and Scrappy in 1.2.3, Hanna Barbera, 1996.
Pebbles and Bamm Bamm in a Colorful Game, Hanna Barbera, 1996.
Jetsons in Shapes, Hanna Barbera, 1996.
Yogi and Boo Boo ABC's, Hanna Barbera, 1996.
Picture Me at Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary, Disney (New York, NY), 1997.
Christmas Buttons, illustrated by Bryan Fyffe, Playhouse Publishing, 1997.
Halloween Buttons, illustrated by Bryan Fyffe, Playhouse Publishing, 1997.
Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul, Batgirl, 1998.
Joseph, King of Dreams (movie adaptation), Dreamworks, 1998.
Easter Adventure, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1998.
(Compiler) Why I Believe in God: And Other Reflections by Children, Prima Publishing (Rocklin, CA), 1999.
Portrait of Lies, created by Terry Brown, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2000.
Off to Bethlehem!, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2000.
No, No Noah!, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2000.
The Don't Cry, Lion, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2000.
Little Lost Donkey, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2000.
Go, Go Fish!, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2000.
Moses, Pharaoh, and the Snake, Broadman (Nashville, TN), 2000.
Silent Dreams, illustrated by Karen A. Jerome, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, MI), 2001.
(Compiler) What Children Know about Angels, Sourcebooks (Naperville, IL), 2001.
(Compiler) 101 Things Kids Wonder, Sourcebooks (Naperville, IL), 2001.
(Compiler) Kids' Rules for Life: A Guide to Life's Journey from Those Just Starting Out, Sourcebooks (Naperville, IL), 2001.
Until the Christ Child Came, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2002.
Off to Bethlehem!, illustrated by R.W. Alley, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 2002.
Off to Plymouth Rock!, illustrated by Gene Barretta, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2002, issued with CD, 2005.
It Must Be Halloween, illustrated by Barry Gott, Little Simon (New York, NY), 2002.
Love and Kisses, Bunny (board book), illustrated by Hala Wittwer, Little Simon (New York, NY), 2003.
First Day, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2003.
Who'll Light the Chanukah Candles?, illustrated by Keiko Motoyama, Little Simon (New York, NY), 2003.
Are We There Yet?, illustrated by Shannon McNeill, Dutton (New York, NY), 2004.
A Tree for Christmas, illustrated by Dominic Catalano, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2004.
Merry Creature Christmas!, illustrated by Gene Barretta, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2004, issued with CD, 2005.
Journey, Journey, Jesus, illustrated by Gene Barretta, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2004.
A Friend from Galilee, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.
Made for a Purpose, illustrated by Glin Dibley, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2004.
My Happy Easter Morning, illustrated by Rachel O'Neill, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2005.
My Christmas Gift to Jesus (board book), illustrated by Rachel O'Neill, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2005.
My Big Birthday (board book), illustrated by Rachel O'Neill, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2005.
My Secret Valentine (board book), illustrated by Rachel O'Neill, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2005.
Jesus in Me, illustrated by Jenny B. Harris, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2005.
In the Beginning, illustrated by James Kandt, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2005.
I'm His Lamb, illustrated by Jane Dippold, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2005.
Jesus Said, "Go Tell the World," so I've Got a Job to Do, illustrated by Jane Dippold, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2005.
The Legend of Ohio, illustrated by Greg LaFever, Sleeping Bear Press (Chelsea, MI), 2005.
God Blesses Me, illustrated by Jane Dippold, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2005.
The Best Thing Is Love, illustrated by Claudine Gèvry, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2005.
Praying Jesus' Way, illustrated by Claudine Gèvry, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2005.
This Is the Lunch That Jesus Served, illustrated by Benrei Huang, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.
The Shepherd's Christmas Story, illustrated by Dominic Catalano, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2005.
The Golden Rule, illustrated by Jane Dippold, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2005.
Three Wise Women of Christmas, illustrated by Diana Magnuson, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2006.
God Shows the Way, illustrated by Claudine Gèvry, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2006.
The Armor of God, illustrated by Jenny B. Harris, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2006.
Seeing Stars, illustrated by Claudien Gevry, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2006.
I Love You, Mommy, illustrated by Karen Lee Schmidt, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2006.
I Love You, Daddy, illustrated by Karen Lee Schmidt, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 2006.
God Made Me, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2006.
A Glorious Angel Show, illustrated by Susan Mitchell, Integrity Publishers 2006.
Treetops Are Whispering, illustrated by Vincent Nguyen, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2007.
Rudy Rides the Rails: A Depression-Era Story, illustrated by Chris Ellison, Sleeping Bear Press (Chelsea, MI), 2007.
Easter Is for Me, illustrated by Anton Petrov, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2007.
For God So Loved the World: My First John 3:16 Book, illustrated by Elena Selivanova, Thomas Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2007.
Make Me a Blessing, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2007.
The Blanket Show!, illustrated by David Hohn, WaterBrook/Random House (New York, NY), 2007.
A Gaggle of Geese and a Clutter of Cats, WaterBrook/Random House (New York, NY), 2007.
The Legend of Saint Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving, illustrated by Guy Porfirio, Zonderkids (Grand Rapids, MI), 2007.
Christmas Light, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2007.
The Wonder of Christmas, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2008.
The Legend of the Christmas Cookie: An Inspirational Story of Sharing, illustrated by Deborah Chabrian Zonderkids (Grand Rapids, MI), 2008.
The Legend of the Easter Robin, Zonderkids (Grand Rapids, MI), 2008.
It Was Not Such a Silent Night, Dutton (New York, NY), 2008.
A Girl Named Dan, Sleeping Bear Press (Chelsea, MI), 2008.
The Legend of the Valentine: An Inspirational Story of Love, illustrated by Edward Gazsi, Zonderkids (Grand Rapids, MI), 2009.
The Legend of Christmas Holly, Zonderkids (Grand Rapids, MI), 2009.
Also author of pop-up books Daniel and the Lion's Den, Noah's Ark, and Jonah and the Whale, all 1995; author of The Princess and the Pea, Town and Country Mouse, and "My First Book" series. Author of coloring books, under pseudonym Dandi. Contributor to books, including Christmas Programs for Organizations, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1986. Contributor to periodicals, including Guidepost, Moody Monthly, Christianity Today, Power for Living, Christian Parenting, and Today's Christian Woman. Author of humor column in an Iowa newspaper, 1984-86.
Author's works have been translated into over a dozen languages.
"LITTLE BLESSINGS" PICTURE BOOKS
Blessings Everywhere, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2000.
God Makes Nighttime Too!, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2000.
Rain or Shine, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2000.
Birthday Blessings, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2001.
Count Your Blessings, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2002.
ABC's, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2002.
Many-Colored Blessings, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2005.
Blessings Come in Shapes, illustrated by Elena Kucharik, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2005.
"FIRST THINGS FIRST" BOARD-BOOK SERIES
Things I Do, illustrated by Megan Halsey, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.
Rainbow Party, illustrated by Megan Halsey, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.
The Lost Sheep, illustrated by Megan Halsey, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.
Made by God, illustrated by Megan Halsey, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.
"IMAGINATION" PICTURE-BOOK SERIES
The Shape of Things, illustrated by Jill Newton, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.
Color My World, illustrated by Jill Newton, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.
Cloud Counting, illustrated by Jill Newton, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.
Animal Babies, illustrated by Jill Newton, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.
"READY, SET, READ!" BEGINNING-READER SERIES
God Made Me, illustrated by Michelle Neavill, Augsburg-Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 1992.
Jesus Loves Me, illustrated by Kathy Rogers, Augsburg-Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 1994.
So I Can Read, illustrated by Deborah A. Kirkeeide, Augsburg-Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 1994.
COMPILER; "KIDS SAY" SERIES
Kids Say the Cutest Things about Mom!, Trade Life Books (Tulsa, OK), 1996.
Kids Say the Cutest Things about Dad!, Trade Life Books (Tulsa, OK), 1997.
Kids Say the Cutest Things about Love, Trade Life Books (Tulsa, OK), 1998.
"PICTURE ME" SERIES; UNDER PSEUDONYM DANDI
Picture Me as Goldilocks, illustrated by Wendy Rasmussen, Picture Me Books (Akron, OH), 1997.
Picture Me as Jack and the Beanstalk, illustrated by Wendy Rasmussen, Picture Me Books (Akron, OH), 1997.
Picture Me as Little Red Riding Hood, illustrated by Wendy Rasmussen, Picture Me Books (Akron, OH), 1997.
Picture Me with Jonah, Picture Me Books (Akron, OH), 1997.
Picture Me with Noah, Picture Me Books (Akron, OH), 1997.
Picture Me with Moses, Picture Me Books (Akron, OH), 1997.
Picture Me with Jesus, Picture Me Books (Akron, OH), 1997.
"PUZZLE CLUB" MYSTERY SERIES
The Puzzle Club Christmas Mystery, illustrated by Mike Young Productions, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
The Puzzle Club Activity Book, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
The Puzzle Club Picture Book, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
The Mystery of Great Price, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
The Puzzle Club Case of the Kidnapped Kid, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1998.
The Puzzle Club Poison-Pen Mystery, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1998.
The Puzzle Club Musical Mystery, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1998.
The Puzzle Club Meets the Jigsaw Kids, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1999.
Also author of The Counterfeit Caper, The Case of the Missing Memory, and The Petnapping Mystery, 1997-2000.
MIDDLE-GRADE AND YOUNG-ADULT NOVELS
Kyra's Story: Degrees of Guilt, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2003.
Sierra's Story: Degrees of Betrayal, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2004.
Love Rules, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2005.
Eva Underground, Harcourt (Orlando, FL), 2006.
Maggie's Story, Tyndale House (Carol Stream, IL), 2006.
Larger-than-Life Lara, Dutton (New York, NY), 2006.
Crazy in Love, Dutton (New York, NY), 2007.
"CINNAMON LAKE" MYSTERY SERIES
The Secret Society of the Left Hand, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1996.
The Case of the Disappearing Dirt, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1996.
The Cinnamon Lake Meow Mystery, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
Don't Bug Me Molly!, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
Of Spies and Spider Webs, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
The Cinnamon Lake-ness Monster, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1997.
Soup Kitchen Suspicion, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1998.
The Presidential Mystery, illustrated by Kay Salem, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1999.
"HORSEFEATHERS!" SERIES; YOUNG-ADULT NOVELS
Horsefeathers!, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2000.
Horse Cents, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2000.
A Horse of a Different Color, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2000.
Horse Whispers in the Air, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2000.
Horse Angels, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2000.
Home Is Where Your Horse Is, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 2000.
"WINNIE THE HORSE GENTLER" NOVEL SERIES
Bold Beauty, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2002.
Midnight Mystery, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2002.
Unhappy Appy, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2002.
Wild Thing, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2002.
Eager Star, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2002.
Gift Horse, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2003.
Friendly Foal, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2004.
Buckshot Bandit, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2004.
"BLOG ON" YOUNG-ADULT NOVEL SERIES
Grace Notes, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2006.
Love, Annie, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2006.
Just Jazz, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2006.
Storm Rising, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2006.
Grace under Pressure, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2007.
Jazz Off Key, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2007.
Storm Warning, Zonderkidz (Grand Rapids, MI), 2007.
"STARLIGHT ANIMAL RESCUE" NOVEL SERIES
Runaway, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2008.
Mad Dog, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2008.
Kat Shrink, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2008.
Fur Ball, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2008.
FOR ADULTS
The Blessing Is in the Doing, Broadman (Nashville, TN), 1983.
A Spiritual Handbook for Women, Prentice-Hall (Englewood Cliffs, NJ), 1984.
Remembering …, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 1985.
When the Answer Is No, Broadman (Nashville, TN), 1985.
Splitting Up: When Your Friend Gets a Divorce, Harold Shaw (Wheaton, IL), 1988.
Just One of Me, Harold Shaw (Wheaton, IL), 1989.
Kindred Sisters: New Testament Women Speak to Us Today; A Book of Meditation and Reflection, Augsburg Fortress (Minneapolis, MN), 1996.
101 Ways to Talk to God, Sourcebooks (Naperville, IL), 2000.
OTHER
(Compiler) Kids Are Still Saying the Darndest Things, Prima Publishing (Rocklin, CA), 1993.
(Compiler) Kids Say the Greatest Things about God: A Kid's-Eye View of Life's Biggest Subject, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 1995.
Problem Solving (nonfiction), Ferguson (Chicago, IL), 1998, 2nd edition, 2004.
Teamwork Skills (nonfiction), Ferguson (New York, NY), 1998, 2nd edition, 2004.
Self-Development (nonfiction), Ferguson (Chicago, IL), 1998, 2nd edition published as Professional Ethics and Etiquette, 2004.
Portrait of Lies, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2001.
Please Reply!, Tommy Nelson (Nashville, TN), 2002.
Kids Say the Best Things about Life: Devotions and Conversations for Families on the Go, Jossey-Bass (San Francisco, CA), 2004.
Kids Say the Best Things about God: Devotions and Conversations for Families on the Go, Jossey-Bass (San Francisco, CA), 2004.
Adaptations
Three titles in the "Puzzle Club" mystery series were adapted as animated television programs. Kindred Sisters has been adapted as an audiobook.
Sidelights
A prolific writer whose work has been published in over twenty countries, Dandi Daley Mackall has hundreds of books to her credit, the majority of which reflect her Christian faith. Mackall's works range from picture books and novels for children and young adults to historical fiction and nonfiction for a variety of ages. Mackall finds the seeds of stories everywhere, especially in her own life and her experiences raising her three children. For example, the writer's lifelong love of horses is reflected in her "Winnie the Horse Gentler" novel series, about a twelve year old who is able to communicate with horses. The time-honored mantra of the American family road trip inspired her picture book
Are We There Yet?, while another picture book, First Day, reflects universally shared worries as the first day of school approaches. Mackall's young-adult novel Eva Underground is based on memories of her eighteen-month venture into Poland in the 1970s, where she experienced life behind the iron curtain prior to the end of the cold war. Readers of Eva Underground are treated to a "distinctive human portrayal of a troubling time and place," according to School Library Journal reviewer Suzanne Gordon, while a Kirkus Reviews contributor stated that "modern Communism is rarely depicted in children's literature, and never before this well." In Booklist Stephanie Zvirin dubbed First Day "cheerful" and "encouraging." Are We There Yet?, featuring what a Publishers Weekly contributor described as a "cleverly rhymed" text, also benefits from illustrations by Shannon McNeill that the reviewer praised as "chock full of detail."
Taking place in 1978, Eva Underground introduces Eva Lott, a Chicago high school senior. While still grieving her mother's death, Eva finds her secure suburban world further disrupted when her father, a college teacher, decides to put his energy into fighting as part of the Polish anti-communist underground. Making the dangerous border crossing, Eva begins to understand the plight of the Polish people. While her father helps organize an underground press, the American teen becomes involved with one of the underground's young radicals, and ultimately learns the cost of freedom. "Mackall effectively conveys the harsh realities of living under a Communist regime," noted Booklist reviewer Ed Sullivan, the critic adding that Eve's story also reflects the optimism of the Polish people following the election of Karol Wojtyla as Pope John Paul. Also reviewing Eva Underground, Claire Rosser wrote in Kliatt that "the romance and adventure" Mackall weaves into her fast-moving plot will sweep along most YA readers," while a Kirkus Reviews writer commented that Eva's narration "draws the reader inexorably into the story."
Geared for upper elementary-grade readers, Larger-than-Life Lara introduces Laney Grafton, a friendly fourth grader who sets down on paper the experiences of the new girl in school, carefully and consciously framing her tale in the multi-part structure her language arts teacher has taught her. Laney's subject, grossly overweight, ten-year-old Lara Phelps, has problems at her new school, where she quickly takes Laney's place as the subject of many schoolyard jokes. Through it all, Lara wins Laney's admiration due to her upbeat attitude, compassion, and ready smile, but ultimately something happens that breaks even Lara's buoyant spirit. "Thoroughly enjoyable and unexpectedly wry," Larger-
than-Life Lara "… is as intelligent as it is succinct," noted School Library Journal contributor Elizabeth Bird, while in Booklist Carolyn Phelan commented that Mackall's story includes "touching moments and offers food for thought" for younger readers.
Mackall once told SATA: "I love to write! I even love to rewrite and revise. When I was a ten-year-old tomboy, I won my first contest with fifty words on ‘why I want to be bat boy for the Kansas City A's.’ But the team wouldn't let a girl be bat boy—my first taste of rejection! I've amassed drawerfuls of rejections since, but along the way I've hung in there and have seen hundreds of my books into print.
"Although I began writing books for grownups—humor, how-to's, inspirationals—when my children were born, I added children's books to the mix. Beginning with board books and baby books when my children were infants, I progressed through picture books and chapter books, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction, never dropping an age group, but simply adding another one. With our teens all in high school, I started a new series of young-adult fiction, ‘Horsefeathers!’ I grew up with horses, backyard horses: the kind you keep as friends in your own backyard. It's been great to draw on my earlier horse-loving days to build my main character in the series, a teenaged, female horse whisperer.
"I'm blessed with a husband who is also a writer and understands why the beds aren't made and there's nothing on the table at dinner time, and I'm blessed with children who offer encouragement and a never-ending supply of stories. I believe that God has stories already created for us if we're listening and looking and willing to work like crazy to make those stories the best they can be. I suppose that's really why I write."
Biographical and Critical Sources
PERIODICALS
Booklist, November 1, 1993, Denise Perry Donavin, review of Kids Are Still Saying the Darndest Things, p. p. 500; August, 2003, Stephanie Zvirin, review of First Day, p. 1994; March 1, 2006, Ed Sullivan, review of Eva Underground, p. 81; May 1, 2006, Carolyn Phelan, review of Seeing Stars, p. 86; August 1, 2006, Carolyn Phelan, review of Larger-than-Life Lara, p. 78.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October, 2002, review of Off to Bethlehem!, p. 67; May, 2006, Loretta Gaffney, review of Eva Underground, p. 413; October, 2006, Deborah Stevenson, review of Larger-than-Life Lara, p. 82.
Christian Parenting Today, summer, 2002, review of "Winnie the Horse Gentler" series, p. 62.
Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2002, review of Off to Bethlehem!, p. 1621; February 15, 2006, review of Eva Underground, p. 186.
Kliatt, March, 2006, Claire Rosser, review of Eva Underground, p. 15.
Publishers Weekly, September 23, 2002, review of Until the Christ Child Came …, p. 36; May 5, 2003, review of Are We There Yet?, p. 209; August 25, 2003, review of First Day, p. 62; September 22, 2003, review of Who'll Light the Chanukah Candles?, p. 68; December 15, 2003, review of Love and Kisses, Bunny, p. 76; March 22, 2004, review of Kids Say the Best Things about Life: Devotions and Conversations for Families on the Go, p. 16.
School Library Journal, October, 1997, Jane Marino, review of The Puzzle Club Christmas Mystery, p. 44; October, 2002, Eva Mitnick, review of Off to Bethlehem!, p. 61; January, 2003, review of Rainbow Party, p. 106; April, 2003, Laurie von Mehren, review of Silent Dreams, p. 134; September, 2003, Lisa Gangemi Kropp, review of First Day, p. 184; January, 2004, Olga R. Kuharets, review of Cloud Counting, p. 102; January, 2005, Cass Kvenild, review of Professional Ethics, p. 144; June, 2006, Suzanne Gordon, review of Eva Underground, p. 161; September, 2006, Elizabeth Bird, review of Larger-than-Life Lara, p. 212.
Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 1998, pp. 223-224; December, 2000, review of "Horsefeathers!" series, p. 343; February, 2007, Vikki Terrile, review of Crazy in Love, p. 528.
ONLINE
Dandi E. Mackall Home Page,http://www.dandibooks.com (March 18, 2007).