We recently connected with L. Dawn King, MPA and have shared our conversation below.

L. Dawn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

One of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me happened recently, and it meant more than words can express.

As a children’s author, my passion is helping children smile, build confidence, combat bullying, and grow through stories that encourage self-esteem, creativity, and positive choices, one book at a time.

Recently, a man by the name of Anthony Glenn did something incredibly thoughtful. He purchased 20 of my books, not for himself, but to donate to 20 deserving children. What made this so meaningful wasn’t just the generous purchase, it was that he believed in my vision. He saw that my books are about more than storytelling; they’re about making a difference in the lives of children.

As an author, you pour your heart into your work and sometimes wonder whether your message is truly reaching people. His gesture was a powerful reminder that it is.

Knowing that 20 children will receive encouragement, joy, and messages of confidence because of his kindness deeply touched me. Anthony didn’t just buy books, he invested in children, literacy, and a mission that is very close to my heart.

As someone who truly wants to help children smile one book at a time, that meant everything to me.

L. Dawn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am L. Dawn King, a children’s author, advocate for youth empowerment, and someone deeply passionate about helping children grow into confident, kind, and resilient individuals.

My journey into children’s literature came from my love for children and my desire to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Through both my professional work serving families and my personal experiences as a mother, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for children to feel seen, encouraged, and empowered. That inspired me to create stories that are not only entertaining, but purposeful.

My books focus on themes such as self-esteem, anti-bullying, healthy choices, courage, creativity, responsibility, and embracing individuality. I create stories that children can see themselves in stories that spark meaningful conversations between children, parents, teachers, and caregivers.

What sets my work apart is heart and intention. I don’t simply write books to tell stories, I write to build confidence, inspire smiles, and plant seeds of encouragement in young minds. Every character, message, and lesson is created with the goal of helping a child feel stronger, more capable, and more understood.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building a collection of books that serve as both inspiration and educational tools while staying relatable and engaging for children. Knowing that something I wrote could help a child stand taller, make healthier choices, overcome fear, or simply smile during a difficult moment is incredibly rewarding.

At the core of my brand is purpose. I want parents, schools, libraries, and communities to know that when they support my work, they’re supporting more than a book, they’re supporting a mission to positively impact children around the world, one story at a time.

My ultimate goal is simple: to help children smile, grow, and believe in themselves, one book at a time.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life and career came after spending more than 14 years working for Child Protective Services. That work was incredibly meaningful, challenging, rewarding, and at times heartbreaking. I’ve always had a deep passion for children, which is what drew me to that field in the first place. Helping protect children and advocate for their safety mattered deeply to me.

But over time, witnessing the trauma, instability, and painful realities that so many children experienced began to take a toll on me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Seeing children unable to find peace even in their own homes was devastating. While I remained committed to serving children, I realized I needed to pivot in a way that allowed me to continue making a difference without carrying the constant weight of that darkness.

That pivot led me to children’s authorship.

I wanted to continue giving back to children but from a place of hope, encouragement, and healing. Instead of only witnessing pain, I wanted to help create joy. Through my books, I focus on building confidence, addressing bullying, encouraging healthy choices, and reminding children that they are special, capable, and worthy.

If one of my books can make a child smile in the midst of chaos, offer comfort during a difficult season, or simply provide a moment of happiness and escape, then I feel I’ve accomplished my mission. This pivot wasn’t about leaving my purpose behind, it was about finding a new way to live it.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that making a difference always has to come through sacrifice, carrying heavy burdens, or pouring from an empty cup.

For over 14 years working in Child Protective Services, I believed that in order to truly help children, I had to absorb the pain, push through exhaustion, and carry the emotional weight of the work no matter the cost. Because I was passionate about protecting children, I convinced myself that feeling drained, heartbroken, and emotionally depleted simply came with the territory of making an impact.

But over time, I realized that mindset was not sustainable. Witnessing trauma day after day began affecting me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had to unlearn the idea that purpose requires constant suffering.

The backstory to that lesson is what ultimately led me to becoming a children’s author. I realized I could still serve children, still make a meaningful impact, and still live in my purpose but in a way that also created light, hope, and healing instead of only carrying darkness.

Now, I believe making a difference can also look like creating joy, building confidence, inspiring smiles, and planting positive seeds in children’s hearts. My books are part of that lesson lived out. I no longer believe you have to break yourself to be a blessing to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ldawnking.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ldawnkingauthor
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/author/ldawnking

Image Credits

L. Dawn King, MPA