Dr. Dawn Menge is a powerhouse in education and storytelling. She is an award-winning author, a special education teacher, and a speaker who has spent more than two decades working with students with severe cognitive delays. Her work proves that children’s books can do more than entertain—they can teach life skills, build confidence, and connect people across cultures.

Over the years, Dr. Menge has become widely recognized for her Queen Vernita’s Educational Series and Queen Giggles Kingdom, projects that have earned major recognition in both literacy and film spaces. She’s not only writing books—she’s building a world where learning is joyful, inclusive, and accessible for children everywhere.

A Career Built on Education, Excellence, and Real-World Impact

Dr. Menge holds a PhD in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction. She also has a Master’s degree and a Clear Credential in Moderate/Severe Disabilities, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development. Her credentials match her calling: she has spent over twenty years teaching students with severe cognitive delays while also mentoring and lecturing graduate students.

This isn’t someone who casually stepped into education. Dr. Menge has dedicated her life to doing the work that many people don’t understand until they see it up close—supporting students who need specialized instruction, consistent patience, and strong advocacy. That experience gives her a unique edge as an author. She doesn’t guess what children need. She has spent decades watching how they learn, how they respond, and how they grow.

Her personal life reflects that same heart for family and legacy. She is the mother of three and the grandmother of seven. Family matters to her, and that shows in the warmth and intention behind the stories she writes.

The Award-Winning World of Queen Vernita and Queen Giggles

Dr. Menge has won over ninety international literacy awards and more than 200 film festival awards tied to her children’s book series. Her awards include recognition from organizations and festivals that celebrate written word, educational content, and disability advocacy. She has also received honors that highlight excellence in education and influence, including being named among Success Magazine’s 2023 Women of Influence.

What makes this recognition so meaningful is that it isn’t based on hype. It’s based on results—how her stories land with children, teachers, and families. Her books are designed to support learning through fun, relatable adventures, helping children develop skills in reading, counting, social understanding, and confidence.

One moment that captures her impact happened with My Precious the Baby Dragon, which became a featured screenplay at the San Diego Kids Film Festival. Dr. Menge expected a short performance, but the local playhouse children performed the entire book. They added singing, dancing, and jokes, turning it into what she described as an author’s dream come true. That’s the type of experience that confirms her mission: stories come alive when they are written with heart, purpose, and respect for children.

A Teacher’s Heart With a Global Reach

Dr. Menge’s work has traveled far beyond her hometown. One of the most powerful stories connected to her books is about a young reader named NUH, who immigrated from the savannas of Africa. NUH and his family used the Queen Vernita books to help learn how to read and write in English. He even used the illustrations to learn to count, because they reminded him of his childhood.

That story matters because it shows what’s possible when books are created with clarity, strong visuals, and educational purpose. A child didn’t just read her book—he used it as a bridge into a new language and a new life.

Dr. Menge’s global impact became even more personal when she traveled to Ghana with Book Profits Club and visited the children at the Cheerful Hearts Foundation. She brought 75 books to donate, expecting to meet about 30 children. Instead, more than 100 children arrived, dressed in their Sunday best and excited to meet the visitors. These children were part of educational programs designed to give them skills and resources that help protect them from becoming victims of sex trafficking and child labor.

While there, Dr. Menge also met teachers at Cape Coast Castle and later sent an additional 50 books to schools. She also shared her writing workbook and looked forward to reading the stories the children would create. Her takeaway was simple and powerful: we are all connected, and we just have to find the connection.

Writing Beyond Children’s Books: A Romance Story With a Safety Message

While Dr. Menge is best known for children’s books, she also stepped into a different lane with her latest work—a romance book created through a collaboration with She Rises Studios as part of a “Voices of 100 Women” project. She wanted to write something different, and she also wanted to share a personal experience that could help others stay safe.

Her romance book tells a story inspired by real events involving being stalked by two women. In the book, she includes the adventures of the couple, the stalking incidents, and a happy ending—while also making sure the reader leaves with more than entertainment. In the back of the book, she includes factual information about stalking statistics and where to get help.

She also speaks directly about how important it is to understand gaslighting and stalking, because these situations can escalate and impact a person’s safety and stability. She points out something many people don’t realize: being forced out of your home due to harassment or danger is more common than people want to admit.

This part of her work shows her range. Dr. Menge can write for children, but she can also write for adults who need awareness, language, and validation. She uses storytelling as a way to connect people—and to warn them when needed.

A Legacy of Reading, Adventure, and Lifelong Learning

When Dr. Menge talks about legacy, she doesn’t focus on trophies. She focuses on values. She wants to leave behind a love for reading, lifelong learning, adventure, kindness, and love for each other. She also wants her work to connect people across the world and encourage curiosity for life.

One powerful detail is that one of her books is named after her grandmother, who was the matriarch of their family. Her grandmother founded and managed a credit union, traveled the world, and inspired family travel. That spirit of exploration and family connection is woven throughout Dr. Menge’s writing. She has shared that the people in her books are real people and include their family travels, which adds a personal, grounded feel to her stories.

Her life also includes meaningful service. Dr. Menge received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, which reflects more than 900 hours of volunteer work. That matters because it shows she is living what she teaches—service, education, and community care.

Today, she continues to expand her work through writing, speaking, and educational efforts, building stories that help children learn and helping adults reflect, heal, and protect themselves. Her message is not complicated: live fully, love deeply, and keep learning.

Contact Information

Dr. Dawn Menge
Wrightwood, California
Instagram: @dawnmenge
Facebook: @dawn.menge1
Website: landofquailshouse.com