Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dan McCauley?

That would be me! I'm the author of the Thank You, World series with Free Spirit Publishing and an upcoming sports series with Curiosity Unlocked. In addition to writing children's books, I'm an educator and educational therapist. I studied teaching, storytelling, and child and adolescent mental health at NYU and earned a master's degree in the art of teaching.

I began my teaching career through Teach For America in the same borough I was raised in and have since worked with students and educators across a wide range of classrooms. I hold a California Clear Credential in teaching students with mild to moderate learning disabilities and an Associate Educational Therapist Certificate.

What organizations are you a member of?

I am a member of the Author's Guild and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Where can I buy the Thank You, World series?

The Thank You, World books are available wherever children's books are sold, including major online retailers and local bookstores. If your local bookstore doesn't have one in stock, just ask — they can order it! Visit the books page for more details.

Are the Thank You, World books available at my local library?

Yes! Many public and school libraries carry the Thank You, World series. If your library doesn't have them yet, you can request them. Most libraries are happy to add titles when patrons ask. You can also check availability through your library's online catalog, in apps such as Libby.

Do you do school and bookstore visits?

I'm based in Los Angeles and frequently in the New York City areas, making visits in those regions most accessible. I'm currently building an interest list for school visits, author readings, and workshops in other areas, so please reach out if you're interested.

Do you do zoom visits?

Yes! Virtual visits are available for schools, bookstores, and organizations regardless of location.

How do I express interest in a visit?

If you'd like to bring me to your school, store, organization or event, please reach out via the contact form to be added to the interest list.

What can these visits include?

For larger settings like school assemblies, visits can include a reading, Q&A with students, and age-appropriate discussions about storytelling, creativity, and the themes in my books.

For smaller settings like bookstores or individual classrooms, visits can include a reading paired with a hands-on workshop activity. I've also facilitated parent workshops built around the books — exploring themes like gratitude and global awareness alongside the families who read them.

If your school has an upcoming theme week, cultural celebration, or literacy event, I'm happy to discuss how a visit might connect to it in a meaningful way.

Are there classroom or at-home resources available?

Yes! Each book includes activity and discussion prompts on the back, designed for use in classrooms, libraries, or family reading time.

How can I use these books at home or in my classroom?

At home, the Thank You, World books work in three ways:

As an introduction — They're a natural starting point for families exploring mindfulness, gratitude, and the benefits of spending time outdoors together.

As a reminder — Keep them on the shelf as touchstones. When life gets busy, the books can bring kids and families back to what matters: slowing down, noticing, and being grateful- and spending time outdoors.

As an anchor — Use them as a starting point to build family rituals — a gratitude moment before bed, a nature walk with intention, a weekly "thank you" practice. The books give those rituals a shared language.

In the classroom, they're a natural fit for social-emotional learning (SEL) units, mindfulness activities, nature studies, and gratitude journals. Each book includes built-in discussion and activity prompts to make integration easy.

What's the best way to encourage gratitude and mindfulness in kids through reading?

Learning gratitude and mindfulness is just like learning anything else — it takes time, repetition, and the right environment.

Here's my advice:

Build background knowledge. Give mindfulness and gratitude a name. Talk about the real, science-backed benefits of walking, spending time outdoors, and expressing gratitude. Kids rise to the language we give them.

Use stories to deepen understanding. Books create a shared experience and a natural entry point for conversation. The Thank You, World series includes discussion questions and activities in the back of each book to help guide those moments.

Model it yourself. Before kids learn to read books, they learn to read the room. No lecture on gratitude is stronger than watching the adults around them practice it.

Create a space that honors gratitude. Fill your home or classroom with visuals that anchor calm and awe — pictures of the outdoors, images of people you love, reminders of things you're grateful for.

Notice it in action. When kids practice gratitude or mindfulness on their own — even in small, quiet ways — name it. Recognizing those moments reinforces them more than any lecture.

Build rituals. A gratitude moment before bed. A weekly nature walk. A classroom "thank you" circle. Rituals give kids something to look forward to and make these practices feel like a natural part of life, not an assignment.

Keep it light. Learning can happen explicitly — through direct teaching and conversation — but it also happens implicitly, over time. Practicing gratitude, mindfulness, and spending time outdoors with people we love shouldn't feel like a test we're trying to ace. It should just quietly make life better.

How can I get in touch with Dan?

Send a message through the contact page about the Thank You, World series, author visits, writing, or teaching. You can also follow Dan on Instagram, or sign up for email updates on book releases and future newsletters on the homepage.