Bee
Quiet, funny, fearless
Bee is, first and foremost, busy! Imaginative and daring, Bee is always up for any adventure with Danny.
Birthday: March 21 · Favorite sound: Buzz
Meet Danny, the yellow Labrador behind MaryRuth Books
His Story
Every hero has an origin story
Long before he was a bookshelf favorite, Danny was a real dog — a much-loved member of MaryRuth Books author and founder Mia Coulton’s family. In 2001, he made his initial appearance in Mia’s first book, Halloween Danny. Since then, Danny has been having adventures, making friends, and teaching young readers about life… all with a sense of humor.
Along with his toy, Bee, Danny even has an alter ego as a superhero! Children can have their own plush Danny, too — he makes a wonderful reading companion and keeper of secrets.
Mia was a Reading Recovery® teacher when she wrote that first story about her yellow Lab’s escapades. More than 150 titles and a million books later, Danny is still the heart of MaryRuth Books — in the books, in classrooms, and in the letters young readers send him to this day.
- Birthday: April 18
- Favorite treat: Velveeta Cheese
- Best friends: Norman, Abby, and Bee
- In the books since 2001
Where it all began: Halloween Danny, Danny’s very first book (2001).
Danny in the Books
From Halloween Danny to today
Danny has filled the shelves since 2001 — early readers through chapter books, fiction and nonfiction alike — always with his friends close by. Here are a few favorites to start with.
Friends & Family
The friends who share the adventures
Bee, Norman, and Lola turn up in Danny’s books again and again — and the cast doesn’t stop there.
Norman
Gentle, cautious, thoughtful
Norman has a great sense of smell. He also loves knock-knock jokes! Although Norman is no longer a puppy, Danny is still a patient big brother.
Birthday: May 23 · Favorite treat: Bananas
Lola
Adventurous and spontaneous
Lola may seem aloof, at first. Comfortable being on her own, she also loves meeting new friends. Even though her days are busy, she’s always well-groomed and fashionable.
Birthday: March 31 · Favorite treat: Tuna with gravy
Fan Mail
Danny gets a lot of mail
From Reading Recovery® teachers to first-time readers, the Danny mail keeps coming. Here are a few favorites.
Dear Mia Coulton,
I have an idea for one of your Danny books. Danny, Norman and Bee go on a cruise ship but something goes very wrong!
Love Diesel
My students absolutely LOVE Danny and his friends. They know that when they read a Danny book, they get to take my Danny home with them.
I have taught many kids over many years with Mia’s books. I keep in touch with some of my former Reading Recovery students, who are now grown; and they always mention “Danny”. (It’s usually “Ohhh, Danny.”)
Today one of my students chose to reread Five Danny Dogs. As he was opening the book in anticipation of reading, he said, “I just love this book!”
Read With Danny
Meet Danny on the page
The best introduction is a book. You can sample MaryRuth Books online, cover to cover, and watch Danny win over your young reader — adventures, jokes, and all.