News Release
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lindsey Rodarmer, (616) 698-3332, lindsey.rodarmer@zondervan.com
 
Zonderkidz Author Dandi Daley Mackall Wins Literature Award
Bestselling Author Awarded for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature

Grand Rapids, MI, June 4, 2009—Zonderkidz™, the leading publisher of children’s Bibles and Bible storybooks, proudly announces author Dandi Daley Mackall as the recipient of the 2009 Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature from the Church and Synagogue Library Association (CSLA).

Dandi Daley Mackall is the author of more than 400 books, including several titles for Zonderkidz such as The Legend of St. Nicholas, The Gift of the Christmas Cookie, the Ali Cat I CAN READ™ series, and the That’s Nat! early reader series.

“Zonderkidz is proud to publish books with Dandi Daley Mackall and we congratulate her on this very special honor,” says Annette Bourland, Senior Vice President and Publisher for Zonderkidz. “Dandi brings spiritual messages to her young readers in an innovative, easily accessible, and entertaining way, helping them grow in their faith journey.”

Dandi’s latest book from Zonderkidz, Tiny Baby Jesus, will release in October 2009. Illustrated by Julia Noonan, Tiny Baby Jesus (ISBN: 978-0-310-71799-7) takes families on a journey to marvel at the humble birth of tiny baby Jesus while celebrating the great contributions he made throughout his life. Children can celebrate the gift of Jesus from head to tiny toes and discover the wonder of hands that develop into those of a carpenter. They will watch as swaddled shoulders grow to carry the weight of all mankind. Families will share in the humble birth of tiny baby Jesus, while remembering the life and teachings of the grown savior. The hardcover picture book will be available for the 2009 Christmas season at retailers nationwide for $16.99.

Dandi and her husband, Joe, both write from rural Ohio, where they’re blessed with three children and a variety of horses, dogs, and cats. Visit www.dandibooks.com for more information.

About the Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature
Named for Helen Keating Ott, one of the CSLA’s most active members and three times a national officer, this award honors a person or organization for significant contribution in promoting high moral and ethical values through children’s literature. Mrs. Ott had a lifelong interest in children’s literature and in libraries and library work. She prepared the CSLA bibliography, Helping Children Through Books, first published in 1974. Mrs. Ott died in 1979. The first award was presented in 1980.

Past winners include Lloyd Alexander (The Chronicles of Prydain, 1969 Newbery Medal for The High King), Tomie de Paola (Strega Nona, 26 Fairmount Avenue, and Christmas Remembered), Walter Wangerin, Jr. (The Book of the Dun Cow, which won the 1980 National Book Award for science fiction, and its sequel The Book of Sorrows).
 
Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, eZondervan, Zonderkidz, Youth Specialties, Editorial Vida, and National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com (mobile site: zvan.mobi).

Zonderkidz™, a division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video, and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.