Growing Faith One Seed at a Time: Inside Dawn Caldwell‑DeWulf’s Fruit of the Spirit Series
A warm and honest conversation with Dawn Caldwell-DeWulf about her newest release, I Don’t Like Faithfulness, and the surprising way this whole series began.
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Some children’s books entertain. Some teach. And then there are the rare few that gently plant something deeper — a seed of truth, a spark of recognition, a whisper of God’s heart. Dawn Caldwell‑DeWulf’s Picking the Fruit of the Spirit picture book series does exactly that.
If you’ve been around BookWorthy for a while, you know I have a soft spot for stories that help kids understand big spiritual truths in small, tangible ways. Dawn’s series — now five books strong — follows Molly and her beloved grandfather Poppy as they navigate the everyday challenges of living out the Fruit of the Spirit. From patience to kindness to joy, each book takes a virtue kids struggle with and roots it in a story they can see, feel, and giggle through.
And Dawn? She’s as delightful as her books. Warm, honest, and full of stories from her own childhood, she joined me on the podcast to talk about her newest release, I Don’t Like Faithfulness, and the surprising way this whole series began.
🍎 A Series Born From a Garden… and a God‑Wink
Like many great stories, Dawn’s began with a memory — and a little mischief.
Her first book, I Don’t Like Patience, was inspired by a moment she remembers vividly: the day her grandfather finally let her plant her own baby carrots. She waited… and waited… and then, well, she didn’t wait anymore.
“I may or may not have picked all of them, eaten them, and put the stems back,” she laughed during our conversation. “Not thinking he would notice… as they keeled over.”
That one story became a picture book. But the series? That was God’s doing.
While cleaning out her old hope chest, Dawn found the memorial program from her grandfather Poppy’s funeral. On the back were the verses about the Fruit of the Spirit.
“There it is,” she remembers thinking. “I knew I had to do it. That was my God sign.”
And so Molly and Poppy’s adventures began.
🍐 Why Vegetables Instead of Fruit?
If you’ve read Dawn’s books, you’ve probably noticed something funny: the Fruit of the Spirit is taught through… vegetables.
Pumpkins. Carrots. Garden beds.
It’s the kind of inside joke that makes a children’s author grin.
“I veer off to the side sometimes,” Dawn admitted. “I don’t always stay in a straight line.”
But the garden imagery works beautifully. Kids understand planting, watering, waiting, and harvesting. They understand when something grows — and when it doesn’t. And Dawn uses that natural connection to help them understand how spiritual growth works too.
🌱 Book by Book: Patience, Sharing, Kindness, Joy… and Now Faithfulness
1. I Don’t Like Patience
The book that started it all — and the one closest to Dawn’s own childhood. Molly learns that impatience doesn’t make things grow faster… and sometimes makes a mess of things entirely.
2. I Don’t Like Sharing
Generosity is the Fruit of the Spirit behind this story, but Dawn wisely chose a word kids actually understand.
“Generosity is a little difficult for three‑year‑olds,” she said. “So I went with sharing.”
Parents of preschoolers gravitate toward this one for obvious reasons.
3. I Don’t Like Kindness
A book for every child entering school — and every adult who still needs the reminder. Kindness is simple, but not easy, especially when emotions run high.
4. I Don’t Like Joy
This one was the hardest to write.
“It’s difficult to explain to adults the real meaning of joy,” Dawn said. “Trying to translate that to little kids… it’s hard.”
But she does it beautifully, helping kids understand that joy isn’t the same as happiness — it’s something deeper, steadier, rooted in Jesus.
5. I Don’t Like Faithfulness
The newest book in the series — and one of my favorites.
Molly and her friends are growing pumpkins for their community fall festival. Some kids work faithfully. Others… not so much. And the results speak for themselves.
But what makes this book stand out is Dawn’s decision to expand faithfulness beyond chores and responsibilities.
She wanted kids to see that faithfulness also applies to friendship.
“Molly didn’t just criticize her friend,” Dawn explained. “She offered to help. She showed that being faithful isn’t just about tasks — it’s about showing Jesus to others.”
That’s a message kids — and adults — need.
🌾 What Dawn Hopes Kids Take Away
Dawn’s books are fun. They’re colorful. They’re relatable. But beneath the giggles and garden mishaps is a deep desire:
“I want kids to realize how greatly, greatly loved they are,”
“If you plant yourself in Christ, you will see these fruits in your life — and you can share them with others.”
She believes in reaching kids early, before the noise of the world drowns out the quiet truths of Scripture.
“The younger we can grab their attention and grab their hearts and point them toward Jesus, the better.”
And she’s right. Seeds planted early grow deep roots.
🌻 A Writer Shaped by Story
Dawn’s love for books began long before she ever wrote one.
Her mother — a former teacher — read to her every night. Dawn memorized her favorite stories so thoroughly that if her mom skipped a word, she’d correct her instantly.
“She planted in me the joy of reading,” Dawn said. “By the time I was in school, I was reading constantly.”
She even brought out the first book she ever wrote — at age seven — about a mischievous cat named Tippy.
“It’s been in there for a really long time,” she said. “I’ve always known I was a writer.”
Sometimes seeds take decades to sprout. But they sprout all the same.
📚 Dawn’s Own Favorite Books
Like many writers, Dawn’s favorites span genres and eras:
And yes… Ernest Hemingway Click the link to find out which one. ;)
She loves strong female characters, crisp writing, and stories that linger.
And when reading to her grandkids (six of them, all under six!), she gravitates toward silly, musical books that make everyone laugh.
“You can’t throw your granny off the bus,” she said, describing one favorite. “It’s ridiculous — and I love laughing with them.”
🌿 What’s Next for Dawn?
Two exciting things:
1. I Don’t Like Gentleness
The next Fruit of the Spirit book is coming soon — either spring or summer. This one will explore gentleness in the garden and in caring for God’s creatures.
2. A Historical Fiction Novel
Yes, really. “I like to veer,” Dawn laughed. “I’ve written a historical fiction novel set in Scotland… not Outlander, but it feels the same.”
I, for one, cannot wait.
🌱 Why Dawn’s Books Matter
In a world where kids are bombarded with screens, noise, and endless distraction, Dawn’s books offer something rare:
Simplicity.
Warmth.
Truth.
And a gentle invitation to grow.
They remind kids — and the grown‑ups reading with them — that spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight. It happens seed by seed, choice by choice, moment by moment.
It happens when we’re patient. When we share. When we’re kind. When we choose joy. When we stay faithful.
And it happens best when someone like Poppy — or Dawn — comes alongside us to show the way.
🌼 Where to Find Dawn
You can explore all her books and upcoming projects at:
If you’re looking for picture books that help kids understand the Fruit of the Spirit in a way that feels real, relatable, and rooted in everyday life, Dawn Caldwell‑DeWulf’s series is a beautiful place to start.
Happy reading, friend.
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