This cheerful, kid-friendly poster brings Polly the Talking Collie: I Am Taking 100% Responsibility to life through Polly’s Top Five Life Lessons, presented as playful paw prints. Featuring Polly’s warm, trustworthy face, the image reinforces the heart of your book—teaching children that responsibility is a superpower. Each paw print shares a simple, memorable message: owning your choices, staying kind when things get tangled, learning from mistakes, choosing a positive attitude, and making every day an adventure. With gentle humor (“I can’t control the rain, but I can still wag my tail”) and encouraging language, the design reflects Polly’s loving voice and helps children understand that they always have the power to choose responsibility, kindness, and growth—one paw print at a time.
A Very Special Visit at Polly’s Townhouse
Some moments feel like they were meant to happen—and this was one of them.
Polly recently had a very special visitor at her townhouse: the talented illustrator of Polly the Talking Collie: I Am Taking 100% Responsibility. What made the moment even sweeter? Polly herself was right there, tail wagging and soaking in the love, as the creative heart behind her story met her in real life.
Sitting together on the couch, it felt like a full-circle moment—story meeting spirit, words meeting wagging tail. Polly, calm and curious as always, seemed to know this was someone important. After all, this is the person who helped bring her message of responsibility, kindness, and courage to life on the pages of her book.
These are the moments that remind me why this journey matters. Stories connect us. They build friendships. And sometimes, they even bring a collie and her illustrator together in the most unexpected and joyful way.
Grateful for creativity, connection, and a very good dog named Polly.
A Homecoming of Stories at Old Threshers
There are moments when past and present gently meet—and my recent book signing in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was one of those moments for me.
Over Labor Day weekend, during the beloved Old Thresher’s Reunion, I had the joy of signing my six #1 International Bestselling books outside Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Sitting under the canopy, surrounded by familiar faces, new friends, and the hum of reunion excitement, felt like coming full circle.
Since 1955, Old Thresher’s Reunion has drawn people from across the United States to Mt. Pleasant to celebrate our agricultural heritage—the hard work, resilience, and community spirit that shaped generations of farm families. Steam engines, tractors, music, food, and stories fill the air, reminding us of where we come from and the values that continue to ground us.
Throughout the weekend, people stopped by to chat, reminisce, and leaf through my books—many sharing their own farm stories, family memories, and reflections on responsibility, perseverance, and living fully in the moment. My children’s book, Polly the Talking Collie: I Am Taking 100% Responsibility, sparked smiles and conversations with families, while my inspirational titles opened heartfelt discussions with adults who recognized pieces of their own journeys in these pages.
What made this signing especially meaningful was its location—right in my hometown, during an event that honors the very roots that have shaped my life, my family, and my work. From growing up around agriculture to raising my own family on a Heritage and Century farm, Old Threshers has always represented more than an event—it’s a living reminder of faith, grit, and community.
I am deeply grateful to Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. for the welcoming space, to everyone who stopped by, and to Old Threshers for continuing a tradition that connects generations. It was a weekend filled with gratitude, conversations, laughter, and a renewed appreciation for the stories—both written and shared—that bind us together.
Sometimes the most powerful moments aren’t about how far we’ve traveled, but about returning home and remembering why our stories matter.
Fifty Years, One Love, and a Faithful Collie Named Polly
This year, John and I are celebrating a remarkable milestone—50 years together. Five decades of shared dreams, hard work, faith, laughter, tears, and the quiet moments that shape a life. Looking back, it’s impossible to tell our story without including the animals who have walked beside us, especially our beloved collies.
Nearly eight years ago, our hearts were aching. We had lost our beautiful collie, Duchess, just two weeks earlier, and the house felt unbearably quiet. The grief was still fresh when John did something so very “John”—he opened the Des Moines Register and began scanning the classified ads. There it was: a small notice about purebred collie puppies for sale from a farm in northwest Iowa.
That simple ad changed everything.
Soon after, Polly came bounding into our lives as a fluffy, joyful puppy—and into our hearts forever. She arrived at just the right moment, bringing light where there had been sorrow and comfort where there had been loss.
Polly has been with us through so much. She curled up beside us during the long days of COVID lockdown, offering companionship and calm when the world felt uncertain. She walked with us through the heartbreak of losing John’s brother Pat, not only family, but also our trusted business partner. In moments when words fell short, Polly’s presence spoke volumes.
Now, as John has retired and faces ongoing health challenges, Polly is once again exactly what we need. Every single day, she is there—faithful, gentle, and unwavering. She sits beside him, follows him from room to room, and loves him with the kind of pure, unconditional love only a dog can give. She doesn’t care about schedules, diagnoses, or difficult days. She simply loves him—completely and without question.
As we celebrate 50 years of marriage, I am reminded that love shows up in many forms. It’s found in commitment and resilience, in shared history and quiet understanding. And sometimes, it shows up on four paws, with soulful eyes and a wagging tail, reminding us to live in the moment and cherish what matters most.
Our journey continues—hand in hand, heart to heart—with Polly right by our side. And for that, we are deeply grateful.
Denise McCormick singing Never Mind the Monkey Mind
Check out my newest YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC2hhX0JmVE
In this video, I will read a snippet from my children's book titled Never Mind the Monkey Mind, as well as sing the song!
Purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Monkey-Denise-McCormick/dp/1957124024/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=denise+mccormick&qid=1670960820&sr=8-1
THANK YOU!!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! These two words are so powerful and convey how each of the Leading with Legacy authors feel after our incredible launch out into the world yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I launched from Australia and am so grateful to both our Australian and Canadian friends who allowed us to reach #1 International Bestselling in their countries as well as the United States.
We hope our stories inspire you and lift your spirits as you read each one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LAUNCH DAY!
Good morning, afternoon, and evening! As you now know, I am part of another beautiful book called “Leading with Legacy”.
In January 2022, our Publisher, Kate Butler, called to tell me that I had been selected as one of twenty (20) women authors to be given the honor to write a chapter in this “legacy” book. I accepted and am so grateful to have been able to meet and become friends with the other phenomenal women in this group.
The book launched TODAY, October 26th!! We are all extremely excited, and the main reason is that we know that within the 20 chapters, lies something that will help YOU, whether it’s overcoming obstacles, getting through tragedy, trauma, loss, health issues, or some other difficulty in your life, or inspire you to take action on something you have put off, getting what you want in life, or, even learning from our pets, and so much more!
Please support me by buying and sharing out the Amazon link to buy our book! Our goal is to be #1 International Best Seller, and we all need your help.
Order here:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/195712444X
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/195712444X
Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/195712444X
France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/195712444X
Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/195712444X
Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/195712444X
Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/195712444X
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/195712444X
September 25th, 2022!
Yesterday I wrote back to my editor APPROVED TO PUBLISH for my chapter in Kate Butler’s next book in the Inspired Impact series Leading with Legacy!
My story is entitled, The Educator’s Edge: Ask! Ask! Ask! This story joins a collection of inspiring women paving the way to be the change they wish to see in the world.
By focusing on what you can control, this goal is possible for everyone! This book launches on October 26, 2022! I will be sharing quotes from women included in this book for the next few weeks!
We were nominated by our fellow co-authors to share this next book with you and we are so honored and humbled to collectively share these stores with the 🌎 world!
September 5, 2022 - The Educator's Guide
Welcome to the Educator’s Guide for Never Mind the Monkey Mind! My goal in writing Never Mind the Monkey Mind was to help support children and their caregivers in dealing with the thousands of thoughts (80% negative) that go through our minds everyday. My goal is to give everyone a way to talk about their monkey mind and to realize that they have the power through the choice of the words they say to themselves, to delete those negative thoughts in one second! Just say delete and sing the Never Mind the Monkey Mind song.
Also, the Educator’s Guide is here to give strategies, activities, and knowledge to inspire children. I challenge you all to NEVER MIND the MONKEY MIND! Sending you all peace of mind! Get your guide on my website at www.denisemccormick.com
Denise McCormick
How Writing Changed My Life!
I had always wanted to be a published author and this is my second story that I have had published in a book. The first story published was about my struggle to regain the use of my right hand after a fall in my classroom at the end of the school year which almost derailed my ability to ever play the piano again back in 2002. I wrote it at the request of my occupational therapist who was amazed at my determination to make a full recovery. It was accepted into a book called, Ordinary Miracles, True Stories About Overcoming Obstacles & Surviving Catastrophes. It was edited by Deborah Labovitz. I really didn’t tell anyone about my first story being published. That will not be the case from now on. To be able to inspire others, I learned that you need to share your story as your adversity could end up being someone else’s survival guide.
I am so happy to be included in the fourth book, Women Who Impact in Kate Butler’s #1 International Bestselling Inspired Impact Series. I then went on to write a story in Women Who Shine which also became a #1 International Bestselling Book on Amazon. In 2019, I wrote my first children’s book, Never Mind the Monkey Mind which was published on February 23, 2022 and became a #1 International Bestselling Book.
This upcoming fall, I will have another story in my publisher’s Inspired Impact Series, Leading With Legacy. I was so honored and humbled to be nominated by the co-authors in the series as one of the most inspirational authors.Thank you to my publisher Kate Butler who has helped me find the courage to be visible!