I was the first born child, raised in a small Iowan town. I created an imaginary playmate, Pickens to play with. But Picken was short lived when my sister was born two years later. 
 
As a teen, I did a lot of babysitting. To entertain children, I wrote and illustrated children's books. The stories were about a talking Liberty Bell to a peanut stealing elephant. A family friend, read my books to her second grade class, which they loved. I was hooked on Children's Books.


I majored in illustration in college. After graduating from the University of Kansas, I found that illustration jobs were hard to find. So I started working as a graphic designer, to pay the bills. I created brochures and logos for many years. But I always wanted to write and illustrate books for children. So in 2001 I decided to fulfill that dream by taking children's writing classes.


In 2003 my first non-fiction magazine article was 
published. I use unusual “fun facts” in my non-fiction articles, hoping kids found it interesting too. My non-fiction articles were published in a dozen different children's magazines over several years.  

Since then, I've written over 40 non-fiction children's books for 11 different publishers. The books vary from arts and crafts, extreme jobs, animals, pop stars, travel and history.







I live on the largest natural lake in Iowa. My husband and I have two grown children and two grandchildren. I continue to work during the day as a graphic designer, for a local newspaper. And write for children in my spare time. When not working, writing or hanging out with my family I enjoy traveling, gardening, baking, photography and doing arts & crafts.

To contact me, please email me at: MMeinking@hotmail.com


“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” - Pablo Picasso