Danna Smith

Growing up on her family's rural Utah property, Danna shared her world with an extraordinary collection of animals. This untamed freedom allowed her imagination to flourish, creating stories, poems, and inventions. Her father, a falconer and dedicated animal expert, frequently brought bobcats, alligators, monkeys, hawks, and even vultures into their home, fostering Danna's deep connection with the natural world. This early immersion in wildlife and wonder profoundly shaped her literary voice.

Today, Danna is an award-winning author who is celebrated for her engaging and educational children's books. Her bibliography includes over twenty-five titles, such as "The Hawk of the Castle" (Candlewick), recognized as a 2018 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year, and the delightful sing-along picture book, "Rooftop Garden" (Barefoot Books). Her diverse body of work spans board books, novelty books, and Little Golden Books for the youngest audiences, as well as captivating fiction and insightful nonfiction for older readers.