Larchmont Chronicle Story Archive

Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

March 5, 2010

BOOK INSPIRED BY SON'S MONSTROUS BEHAVIOR

Laura Eversz

CHARACTERS in Rhonda Hayter’s book came from Third Street Elementary, where her sons attended school.

Rhonda Hayter smiles when she describes her son, Ethan, now eight years old, in his younger years. “He was so cute… he had all these curls and he looked like a cherub.” But sometimes, “this monster would come out.”

Hayter says Ethan, a former Third Street Elementary School student who now attends the New L.A. Charter School, recognized his younger self and some of the funny things he said when he read his mom’s new book, “The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams,” to be published in April by Dial Books for Young Readers. The 242-page book, for readers eight to 12, is about Abbie Adams and her family, who come from a long line of witches. The story begins with her brother, Munch, inspired by Ethan, morphing into a wolf and attempting to eat his first grade teacher, Mr. Merkelson.

Bill Merkelson, a former teacher at Third Street, along with principal Dr. Susie Oh, librarian Carol Koneff and Carol Pollack, who works in the office, are all characters in Hayter’s book.

“I spent many years at the school volunteering when Ethan and his older brother Duncan went there,” said Hayter. “In my mind, the school in my book was Third Street."

In “The Witchy Worries,” Abbie is a regular 11-year-old girl with normal problems, including a really strict fifth grade teacher, Miss Linegar (rhymes with vinegar). She’s chronically behind in homework, struggling to remember all her lines for the drama club play, and tormented by having to keep a big secret from her very best friend. She’s also a witch and has to deal with her brother morphing into a werewolf.

Hayter, a former actress who lives with her husband and sons in Miracle Mile south, works as a story analyst for a movie producer. After giving up acting 10 years ago, she discovered she got the same kick from writing. “You’re entering another world, and it’s exhilarating,” she says.

Now working on revisions for a second book, Hayter says her life as a mom, a story analyst and an author is interesting and exciting. “The great thing is, I get to stay home.”

The author will sign copies of her book at Chevalier’s, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., on Sun., April 11 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

Admin

Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.