Author treats kids to reading of book
Preschool teacher and her daughter visit Old Town Newhall Library
An adorable, brave, scared and confident character brought smiles to children’s faces this Halloween season. “Meet Miss Patootie,” a children’s Halloween picture book written and illustrated by Santa Clarita resident Mary Baxter-Jordan, brought a fun tradition to many families and schools during the month of October.
“When I wrote this, I actually couldn’t even believe I came up with this,” said Baxter. “It’s kind of magical for me, watching it grow is even more magical.”
Baxter read her book to children at the Old Town Newhall Library to finish out the Halloween season Wednesday.
“It’s exciting and it’s super fun,” she said. “I’ve seen how much joy it brings to kids.”
Baxter is a preschool teacher for the Saugus Union School District. She, other teachers and families read “Meet Miss Patootie” all October long. Tricks or treats came from under Miss Patootie’s hat for 31 days.
She brought the class crafts, art projects, stickers, music and so
much more, Baxter said.
“I think she’s all that,” Baxter said. “She’s one of a kind. I’m excited for the tradition it might create.”
Target saw Baxter’s Instagram post and compared Miss Patootie to The Great Pumpkin, she said. “If you think about it, there hasn’t been anyone else that has come up for kids for Halloween since then.”
Baxter plans on releasing a second book in the next couple of years and hopes to create “Miss Patootie” merchandise.
“I hope to turn her into a doll one day,” she said. “I want to make her into a Halloween icon.”
To find out more about “Meet Miss Patootie” or to share or see ideas to put under her hat, go to her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MeetMissPatootiebyMaryJaniceBaxter/.