
About Dawn Caldwell De Wulf
Stories of faith for little hearts and grown-up readers.
Dawn Caldwell De Wulf is an award-finalist Christian children's author, former teacher, and freelance editor living in Oregon's wine country. She writes the Picking the Fruit (of the Spirit) picture book series for ages 2–7, helping little hearts grow in the Fruit of the Spirit through everyday stories. Book 5, I Don't Like Faithfulness!, is her newest release. Her Christian historical novel, Shadow of Skye, is coming soon from Elk Lake Publishing. Dawn is a mom of five, including two sets of twins, and Grammy of six.
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Growing little hearts in faith, one story at a time.
Dawn's Story
Although I now live in the beautiful wine country of Oregon, I was born and raised in the East San Francisco Bay Area.
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I grew up in a house my grandpa built — Poppie, as I called him — with my mom, dad, Poppie, and Mimi (my grandma). I'm an only child, and my childhood memories center around church, the Christian school I attended from preschool through high school graduation, and family.
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I vividly remember writing away in my room as a kid — typing on Poppie's old typewriter, scribbling on sheet after sheet of paper, or losing myself in a book for hours. Teachers kept telling me I should be a writer. I hoped they were right. I also spent years convincing myself they weren't.
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I was married and became a mom young. I have five adult daughters, including two sets of twins and my "ultimate middle child" — and they were, and still are, my biggest inspirations. When I remarried years later, my patient husband Henry came with three bonus kids. And our six grandchildren? Pure gifts from God.
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My path to "author" was wonderfully winding. I have degrees in English/Journalism, communicative disorders and deaf education, and a master's in teaching K-5 from USC. Along the way, I've been a reporter, copy editor, ESL test scorer, reading intervention specialist, and a veterinary receptionist for nine years. Through it all, I've also been a mom, which remains the toughest and most rewarding job on the list. These days I do freelance editing and substitute teach. Book 5, I Don't Like Faithfulness, released August 28, 2026 — and I'm already dreaming up ideas for Book 6!
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I'm also deep in edits on my first adult novel — historical fiction set in Scotland. More on that soon.
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Everything I do flows from the same mission: Guiding Kids to Christ; Growing Kids in Faith. It's why I write, why I show up, and what I hope every young reader carries with them long after they close the book.
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Thank you for visiting — good things are coming!
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Dawn's Path
East San Francisco Bay Area — Grows up in the house her Poppie built
Childhood — Writes stories on Poppie's old typewriter; teachers say she should be a writer
Motherhood — Five daughters, including two sets of twins
Education — Degrees in English/Journalism and in communicative disorders & deaf education; master's in teaching K–5 from USC
A winding career — Reporter, copy editor, ESL test scorer, reading intervention specialist, veterinary receptionist
December 2023 — I Don't Like Patience! (Book 1); a WCCW Goldie Awards finalist
July 2024 — I Don't Like Sharing! (Book 2); a Wishing Shelf Book Awards finalist
The series grows — I Don't Like Kindness! (Book 3) and I Don't Like Joy! (Book 4)
August 2026 — I Don't Like Faithfulness! (Book 5)
Coming soon — Shadow of Skye from Elk Lake Publishing
Invite Dawn
Topics for Podcasts, Churches, and Schools
• Teaching kids the Fruit of the Spirit through stories
• Planting faith early: why young readers matter
• From the classroom to the page: a teacher's winding path to author
• Raising readers of faith in a busy, screen-filled world
• Writing for kids and for grown-ups: from picture books to a novel set on the Isle of Skye
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Visits
• In-person church and school visits within about 1.5–2 hours of McMinnville, Oregon
• Virtual visits anywhere
• Podcast and interview requests welcome
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To book Dawn, email dawndewulf1@gmail.com

What Readers Say
★★★★★ 5.0 on Amazon
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“This adorably illustrated children's book teaches a great lesson (for adults, too!!).” — Amazon reader, I Don't Like Patience!
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“It's not only a lesson for young people, but a great reminder for adults as well.” — Amazon reader, I Don't Like Patience!
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“I love this book. Poppie is a good example of my father. Patience is something with which we all struggle. Molly learned a good lesson.” — Amazon reader, I Don't Like Patience!
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“My nephew loves these books.” — Amazon reader, I Don't Like Sharing!

Shadow of Skye
Heather hills, buried secrets, and one young woman’s courage. Shadow of Skye, my Christian historical novel set on the Isle of Skye in the 1700s, is coming soon from Elk Lake Publishing.
For Hosts & Media
Short bio
Dawn Caldwell De Wulf is a Christian children's author and former teacher who writes the Picking the Fruit (of the Spirit) picture book series for ages 2–7.
Longer bio
Dawn Caldwell De Wulf is an award-finalist Christian children's author, former teacher, and freelance editor who lives in Oregon's wine country. Raised in the East San Francisco Bay Area, she grew up in a home her grandpa built, attended a Christian school from preschool through high school, and wrote stories on her Poppie's old typewriter. Dawn holds degrees in English/Journalism and in communicative disorders and deaf education, plus a master's in teaching from USC. She has worked as a reporter, copy editor, and reading intervention specialist, and today she edits and substitute teaches. Her Picking the Fruit (of the Spirit) series helps children ages 2–7 learn the Fruit of the Spirit; Book 5, I Don't Like Faithfulness!, is her newest. Her Christian historical novel, Shadow of Skye, is coming soon from Elk Lake Publishing. Dawn and her husband, Henry, have eight children between them, and she is Grammy of six.
Dawn is represented by Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott of AuthorizeMe Literary Firm.