Ten-year-old Dandi (affectionately called "Dan" by family and friends) lives and breathes baseball. She may not be a fence buster but she can "hit 'em where they ain't" in the neighborhood pick-up games. The boys know she's a contender. And there's no bigger fan of the 1961 Kansas City A's. So when Charlie Finley, the A's new owner, announces an essay contest to get batboys, there's no doubt Dandi will enter the contest.

Dandi not only enters the contest--her essay wins! However, her joy is short-lived when the contest officials enforce the For Boys Only rule. Long before the boundary-breaking ruling of Title IX, young women across the country used grit and determination to prove that barriers of gender have no place on a level playing field. Dandi Daley Mackall's true-life story gives voice and testament to the spirit of these young sports pioneers.

"Mackall seamlessly weaves a good deal of baseball trivia and slang into her tale...Dandi is an engaging and sympathetic heroine, and her story will resonate with many readers." - School Library Journal, June 2008

See more about this book on YouTube

Study guide available, click Here

Rudy Rides the Rails:
A Depression Era Story (Tales of Young America)
Illustrated by Chris Ellison.

Dandi met the real "Ramblin' Rudy" in 2000 and was inspired to capture his stories & sense of community and adventure, when Rudy "rode the rails" as a teen hobo during the Great Depression.

The Legend of Ohio
Illustrated by Greg LaFever.

This picture book combines imagination with an original Iroquois oral tradition to tell a story of sacrifice and triumph.

New Rhyming Picture Books: DANDILION RHYMES from WaterBrook/Random House A GAGGLE OF GEESE AND A CLUTTER OF CATS, illustrated by David Hohn In fun, rollicking rhyme, discover the names of animal groups, from tidings of magpies, ducks in a brace, elks in a gang, in a galloping race! TIME FOR THE BLANKET SHOW, illustrated by David Hohn Make bedtime fun! "Shed those shoes./ Bye-bye, laces!/Everybody take your places. Prime-time, bedtime, bathroom races.... Time for the Blanket Show!"

SEEING STARS
Simon and Schuster 2006

For God So Loved the World: My John 3:16 Book
illustrated by Elena Selivanova

With an international flavor, each stanza of this 28 page picture book celebrates God's love in a different part of the world. The words "For God So Loved The World" appear in different languages on each spread. The ending 27" fold-out makes a strong statement about Jesus' love for all children around the world. John 3:16, NIV: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

In the Beginning

Illustrated by James Kandt, who uses a unique style with the look of etched plate printmaking.

ARE WE THERE YET?
Dutton/Penguin-Putnam -  Shannon McNeill, illustrator

Slumping, bumping seat-belt squeeze/ Let me out NOW,
pretty please!/ Did you know our dog has fleas?/ Are we there yet, Mom?

Silent Dreams

Karen Jerome, illustrator
Eerdmans

Camilla and her auntie are homeless in the early 1900's, forming friendships with characters like Fingers Freddy, Jake the Badger, and Boxcar Betty. But every Saturday the world changes...at the Silent Movie matinee.

MADE FOR A PURPOSE
(Purpose-Driven Life)
illustrated by Michael Koelsch

The story of a tough young girl who finds meaning and purpose in an unusual way. Introduction and discussion questions by Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life.

OFF TO PLYMOUTH ROCK!
Tommy Nelson Publishing
illustrated by Gene Barretta

Mayflower shipdangerous trip!
Waves that rock and winds that whip.
Crashing, splashing, lightning flashing!
On to Plymouth Rock!

JOURNEY, EASTER JOURNEY!
Tommy Nelson Publishing
Second in this holiday series with illustrator, Gene Barretta

Journey, journey, Jesus! Jesus took a journey,
Whirling past the angel wings. Listen as the angel sings,
"Here he comes! The King of Kings!"
Journey, journey on!

I'm Not Afraid Series, fun, rhyming books that feature animals facing common childhood fears.
No No Noah I'm Not Afraid ...of separation! Can't you see it's way too scary? Is this whole trip necessary?	Little Lost Donkey I'm Not Afraid...of getting lost! I'm sorry, Mary! If I could,  I'd take you free of cost. But I'm afraid if you choose me, You're sure to end up lost. Go Go Fish! I'm Not Afraid...of the dark! Thunder boomed! Lightning cracked as it streaked the black sky. And I called out for help with a frightened fish cry!
Don't Cry Lion I'm Not Afraid...of a bully! And all at once he saw the light. That lion understood! He shut his big mouth very tight And promised to be good.

A FRIEND FROM GALILEE illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist Jesus, Jesus, did you ever skin your knee? Fishing down in Galilee, Did you catch a fish? Jesus, Jesus, did you get a birthday cake? Ever get a stomach ache? Did you make a wish?

This is the Lunch that Jesus Served
Illustrated by Benrei Huang

How can a little fish and a small morsel of bread feed so many people? Children ages 4–8 and adults of all ages will delight in the retelling of this miracle of Jesus. With clever rhyming verse and color-rich artwork the story of the feeding of the five thousand comes to life.

The Best Thing Is Love
by Dandi Daley Mackall and Claudine Gevry

"But I don't have love, it's a waste of time..."

I Can Talk To God By Praying Jesus' Way
Illustrated by Claudine Gevry

The Fruit of the Spirit is Jesus in Me
Illustrated by Jenny B. Harris

The Armor of God
Dandi Daley Mackall and Jenny B. Harris

Jesus Said, "Go Tell The World," So I've Got A Job To Do
by Dandi Daley Mackall and Jenny Harris

Must Be Halloween
Illustrated by Barry Gott

"Hurry! Scurry! Heading out for Halloween who's who?
Did you know on Halloween that monsters dress up too?"

Easter is for Me
Illustrated by Anton Petrov

The Easter story becomes a personal one as children are drawn into Easter Is for Me! Young readers ages 4 to 7 learn that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection give them forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

Who'll Light the Chanukah Candles?

All through the eight days of Hanukkah, a girl wonders who will get to light each night's holiday candle as she sees her cousin Randall get all the attention.

Joseph King of Dreams

The classic story of Joseph's betrayal by his brothers and his journey to Egypt and forgiveness--also a DreamWorks movie.

The Legend of St. Nicholas:
A Story of Christmas Giving
Illustrated by Guy Porfirio

The day before Christmas, Nick isn't too thrilled about being dragged along for last-minute shopping with his dad. He's too excited about what he'll get for Christmas this year. While Nick waits for his father, he overhears a store Santa, who tells the legend of Saint Nicholas.

The Light of Christmas
Illustrated by John Walker

A metaphor of why we've always needed the "Light."

A Glorious Angel Show
illustrated by Susan Mitchell

A look at the traditional Christmas story from the perspective the angels, eager to break through the sky with the good news of Christ's birth. The center folds into a glorious pop-up of the angels!

Until the Christ Child Came
Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Using gallery-quality images and rhyming text to tell the story of Christ's birth, the reader is invited to be with Mary, watching the events unfold from the announcement of the angel until her son, God's Son, walked upon the earth in ministry.

Winner of Kids' Wings Award for 2008 Kids' Wings is a creative educational association recommending only the best in children's literature and creating classroom units that will inspire children, teachers, and librarians to get back to the basics...loving to read.

Study Guide available Here

A TREE FOR CHRISTMAS
illustrated by Dominic Catalano

The story of the first Christmas, told in a metaphor of trees and wood.

Click Here For a Dandi Christmas book interview

This premier picture book explores each woman's part in the Christmas story, weaving them into the whole with a running narrative. Each woman tells her part of the story in first person narrative. Emphasis is given to the illustrations, which are realistic in style and portray the dignity and significance of the characters and events.

Off to Bethlehem!
Illustrated by R. W. Alley

"Stable bare, Creatures share, Here in Bethlehem..."

Merry Creature Christmas
Illustrated by Gene Barretta

This whimsical tale will have children celebrating Christmas with the creatures of the forest. When Christmastime comes around, it seems even the animals find a way to offer praise and honor to the birth of Jesus. Although the older, wiser animals are afraid to invite Big Bear to join in the festivities, Star, the young colt, isn't quite as timid. Big Bear surprises them all as he leaps from his sleep to exclaim, "Merry Creature Christmas!" A delightful story for children of all ages, Merry Creature Christmas reminds readers of the reason to celebrate the holiday season.

A lyrical picture book