Meagan Dekker, Writer

Growing up in the rural mountains of Northern California, I had no neighbors or electricity — but lots of creativity. Now, I live near San Francisco, creating stories inspired by my unique childhood and my adventurous kids. 

Writing picture books is my passion. It benefits from my copywriting profession and my healthy imagination nurtured from a childhood in the Redwood forests. 

I graduated from the Children’s Book Academy, completed numerous courses through Storyteller Academy, and belong to SCBWI, 12 x 12, and critique groups. I have a B.A. in Advertising. As a copywriter/editor, I enjoy telling a compelling story in just a few powerful words.

Working in classrooms has inspired me to write stories that are fun to read aloud and spark both laughter and conversation that make the world a little nicer.

Writer at about age 5 sitting on a log smiling. She's wearing her mom's big poncho and the setting is in her family's outdoor "kitchen," which included only a camp stove and creek.
Living in the woods in Northern California
Children's Book Academy Graduate logo
Writer as a chid (about age 4) poising with mom and dad in front of their in-progress a-frame cabin in the classic style of Wood's famous painting: American Gothic. Her mom holds a shovel and dense trees are in the background.
Homesteading
(I’m the little one!)
Writer holds a fun craft project up to let the sky show through the dress cut-out from a piece of cardboard that has writer's adult face cut and glued to top of dress with arms drawn in.
Getting creative
Member SCBWI logo
Writer as an adult, smiling with large book bags in front of the library signage.
Much love for libraries
Writer's two young kids — the boy is about age 6 and is reading a book to the little sister (about age 3) who leans in close to look at the pages intently.
My kids–growing up to be book lovers
12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge membership logo
Writer is adult and wears a Rossie the Riveter costume — possing in the classic strong-arm/showing muscle pose.
My favorite stories inspire and empower.
Meagan Dekker mdekker @ pacbell. net San Ramon, California Instagram: @dekkermeagan

Picture books I’ve read and enjoyed:

  • Not Enough Lollipops by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Micah Player (2022 Alfred A. Knopf) 
  • John’s Turn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kate Berube (2022 Candlewick Press)
  • There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Laura Molk (2017 Candlewick Press) 
  • When You Can Swim by Jack Wong (2023 Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.)
  • Sadie and the Silver Shoes by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker (2018 Candlewick Press) 
  • Carmela Full Of Wishes by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christina Robinson (2018 G.P. Putnam’s Sons) 
  • Florette by Anna Walker (2019 G.P. Putnam’s Sons)
  • Annie’s Cat Is Sad by Heather Smith, illustrated by Karen Obuhanych (2022 Clarion Books)
  • Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez (2020 Candlewick Press) 
  • The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder, illustrated by Caitia Chein (2021 Chronicle Books) 
  • I Do Not Like Yolanda by Zoey Abbott (2021 Tundra Books) 
  • Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill (2018 Roaring Book Press) 
  • Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady illustrated by Gracey Shang (2022 Harper Collins Publishing) 
  • That Always Happens Sometimes by Kiley Frank, illustrated by K-Fai Steele (2024 Alred A. Knopf)
  • Truman by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins (2018 Atheneum Books) 
  • Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley (2019 Balzer + Bray)
  • That’s My Sweater! by Jessika von Innerebnerf (2022 Dial Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Radom House)
  • My Tree by Hope Lim, illustrated by Il Sung Na (2020 Little Brown and Company)
  • The World Belonged To Us by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Leo Espinosa (2022 Nancy Paulsen Books)
  • Something Smells! by Blake Liliane Hellman, illustrated by Steven Henry (2018 Atheneum Books For Young Readers)
  • Room For Everyone by Naaz Khan, illustrated by Merce Lopez (2023 Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
  • That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown illustrated by Nikkolas Smith (2023 Harper)
  • The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Pascal Campion (2020 Random House)
  • Midnight and Moon by Kelly Cooper & Daniel Miyares (2022 Tundra)
  • This Story Is Not About A Kitten by Randall de Seve and Carson Ellis (2022 Random House Studio)
  • What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Linda Davick (2019 Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster)
  • Your Birthday Was The Best! by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Felicita Sala (2020 Tundra)
  • Sarah and the Big Wave: The True Story of the First Woman to Surf Mavericks by Bonnie Tsui, illustrated by Sophie Diao (2021 Henry Holt and Company)
  • This Book Is Not For You! by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Tracy Subisak (2022 Dial Books for Young Readers)
  • There Must Be More Than That! by Shinsuke Yoshitake (2020 Chronicle Books)
  • A Place For Pauline by Anouk Mahiout illustrated by Marjolaine Perreten (2020 Groundwood Books Gouse of Anansi Press)