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. 

I graduated from the Children’s Book Academy, completed courses through Storyteller Academy, and belong to the 12 x 12 Challenge, SCBWI, and critique groups.

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

Writing is my passion. As a copywriter/editor with a B.A. in Advertising, I enjoy telling a compelling story in a few powerful words. 

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.
Raising 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: @dekkerwrites

Picture books I reccomend:

  • Not Enough Lollipops by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Micah Player (2022 Knopf)
  • New by Nina Mata (2025 Harper) 
  • Real To Me by Minh Le illustrated by Raissa Figueroa (2023 Knopf)
  • John’s Turn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kate Berube (2022 Candlewick)
  • Mole Is Not Alone by Maya Tatsulawa (2023 Henry Holt)
  • When You Can Swim by Jack Wong (2023 Orchard, imprint of Scholastic)
  • Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear illustrated by Gracey Zhang (2024 Random House)
  • Annie’s Cat Is Sad by Heather Smith, illustrated by Karen Obuhanych (2022 Clarion)
  • Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez (2020 Candlewick) 
  • The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder, illustrated by Caitia Chein (2021 Chronicle) 
  • I Do Not Like Yolanda by Zoey Abbott (2021 Tundra) 
  • Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady illustrated by Gracey Shang (2022 Harper Collins) 
  • That Always Happens Sometimes by Kiley Frank, illustrated by K-Fai Steele (2024 Knopf)
  • Truman by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins (2018 Atheneum) 
  • Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley (2019 Balzer + Bray)
  • That’s My Sweater! by Jessika von Innerebnerf (2022 Dial, imprint of Penguin Random 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)
  • 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 If, Pig? by Linzie Hunter (2021 Harper)
  • 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)
  • This Book Is Not For You! by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Tracy Subisak (2022 Dial)
  • 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 of Anansi Press)