Writer, journalist, publisher, and storyteller.

Dawn Marie O’Hara Aerts is a writer, photographer, and visual artist whose work celebrates the quiet magic found in everyday life and the extraordinary courage of the smallest souls.

With a deep compassion for animals and a lifelong passion for storytelling, Dawn creates picture books that gently explore themes of kindness, resilience, empathy, and self-worth. Her narratives, brought to life with vibrant, heartfelt illustrations, invite readers to see the world with greater wonder and understanding.

Whether she is writing about a brave stray cat reaching for the stars or weaving legends from the shores of Lake Superior, Dawn’s stories bridge imagination and real-life lessons. When she is not writing or painting, she can be found wandering the Northwoods, rescuing stray animals, or curled up with a good book and a cup of tea.

She lives in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin with her family and a house full of inspiration.