Twin Cities Business Listing

Megan Maynor
Minnesota, United States
Fan Mail can be sent through her website
Book an author visit through her website

Megan Maynor is a local author of children’s books. She writes picture books with the goal of something both kids and grown-ups will want to share. As a former advertising copywriter, Megan’s worked for eight years to publish her first Ella and Penguin book. Ella and Penguin Stick Together was published in January of 2016 and was followed a year later by Ella and Penguin, A Perfect Match. She has since authored several more children’s picture books. Since then she has continued to add delightful picture books.

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Fun Facts about Megan Maynor

  1. Megan Maynor lives in Edina, Minnesota with her husband and three kids.
  2. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in marketing so that she could work in an advertising agency or PR firm and have toys on her desk.
  3. It took her eight years to publish Ella and Penguin Stick Together.
  4. She loves living in the Twin Cities with a vibrant children’s literature community.
  5. She is a regular visitor to the Galleria Barnes & Noble. So regular that we’re told the staff knows and loves her and has cheered her along through her journey to becoming a published author of children’s books.

Popsicle Puppets of Ella and Penguin - characters in books by Megan Maynor
Gianna Shares Instructions in “Crafts in the Cold”

Crafts in the Cold: Two Activities to do at Home When You Don’t Want to Leave Your House


Books by Megan Maynor*

1. Ella and Penguin: A Perfect Match – Illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet

2. Ella and Penguin Stick Together – Illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet

Ella and Penguin books explore friendship and growing up – whether it is getting past a fear of the dark or learning that friends don’t have to be alike to like each other. Reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes, you are never really sure whether Penguin is a stuffy or a friend and kids can make up their own minds on that point.  Fun extras with this set of books would be making stick puppets like Gianna’s family made, playing dress up, and getting your own set of glow-in-the-dark stickers.

3. The Sandcastle That Lola Built, illustrated by Kate Berube

Pair this summery book with a Sandcastle Summer to Remember Adventure

4. Helga Makes a Name for Herself, illustrated by Eda Kaban

We loved this book. My 6-year-old daughter loved it so much that, after running out of renewals on our library copy, I had to sneak it out of the house. I am definitely adding it to our to-buy list.  What I loved the most about this book is that is that it is a book with a girl protagonist, but it is not about being a girl. While everyone questions Helga’s ability to be a warrior, no one ever says she can’t because she is a girl. This makes it a book that boys can like, too. My 9-year-old son enjoyed this book and found the information in back about Vikings very interesting.

5. A House for Every Bird, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

6. Henry at Home, illustrated by Alea Marley

7. Not Enough Lollipops, illustrated by Micah Player


WCCO's Jason DeRusha, Author Megan Maynor (with her book Ella and Penguin Stick Together) and Gianna Kordatzky of Family Fun Twin Cities show their Ella and Penguin puppets
In Studio with the WCCO Morning Team & Megan Maynor
Poor Jason! He got a little reprimanded for his puppet!


Megan Maynor Visits BookHounds

Megan was Gianna’s first BookHounds guest. Get to know her as they chat at Addendum Books.

Megan Maynor and Gianna hang out to talk about Ella and Penguin Stick Together with you.  See below for all the show notes.

Please forgive the technical difficulties at the beginning of the scope.  Bear with us because the discussion becomes really interesting.

Show Notes:

Welcome and Introduction
  • We read Ella and Penguin Stick Together by permission of HarperCollins Publishing.
  • BookHounds Discussion Questions (courtesy of Sarah MacKenzie of Read Aloud Revival):
  • How are Ella and Penguin the same and different?
  • Who was the bravest?  Who was the most determined?  Who changed the most?
  • What other story does this one remind you of?
  • Conversation of the creation of Ella and Penguin
Megan’s Book Loves
Wrap Up

Have fun!  Enjoy your very own private BookHounds meeting.


Read Aloud Wednesday ‘Ella and Penguin Stick Together’ Inspired Book Suggestions

We a blast partnering with the author of Ella and Penguin Stick Together Megan Maynor. She knows and loves her children’s books, and she has some great suggestions for you to enjoy together with your kids.

Read Aloud Tip: Take time to enjoy the pictures before plunging into the words.

Reading picture books together as a family is so important. At our first meeting, Megan mentioned the importance of picture literacy. It’s important to understand what is happening in the pictures. This is the beginning of discerning irony in plotlines and understanding people’s emotions. It also helps us to use our imaginations even as adults.

While I recommend Ella and Penguin Stick Together for practicing studying pictures because it is a very cute and fun read, these books are some of Megan’s favorites. I can’t wait to read them myself.

  • George and Martha by James Marshall
    Poor George and Martha, sometimes being friends can be super tricky.  But good friends are worth it.
  • Are You Ready to Play Outside? (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems
    This is one of my favorite picture books series ever.  I would love to own every single one of these books!  The illustrations are so funny and the lessons learned are so perfect.
  • Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters by Oliver Jeffers
    Megan recommends this book in the spirit of Shel Silverstein.  Each letter has its own story and throughout the book, you will see snatches interwoven.
  • Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman
    “He’s gonna eat us!”  There’s only one clear-thinking member of this family, but who is it?

Megan Maynor Bookshop by Family Fun Twin Cities
Visit our Bookshop to find Books by Magan Maynor

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