Author's Ebook Could Lead to Windfall for Farmington Area Kids

The Easter Bunny is in big trouble in Lisa Rose Chottiner's new e-book. But his calamity could mean a big boost for Farmington Community School Early Childhood Program.

Oh, No! The Easter Bunny is Allergic to Eggs! is an entry in MeeGenius' Author Challenge, a contest with a unique top prize: an e-book library for the school of the author's choice. Chottiner chose the Farmington school, because it has helped her 4-year-old daughter Victoria, who has a visual impairment. 

Her contest entry "is just a funny take on what the Easter Bunny has to do to deliver the eggs and not disappoint the children," after he breaks out in hives before Easter, she said. 

Chottiner has always loved writing and pens middle-grade chapter books and picture books. She started writing full-time 10 years ago, and now prefers to write at the first grade level – the grade she taught for eight years in Highland Park and Pontiac. 

Chottiner learned about the contest through her agent, who suggested she write holiday books because the children's picture book market has been "quite soft". 

The book is about a Christian holiday, but Chottiner – who is Jewish – said it also includes many different holidays, and the Easter Bunny "is not the hero of the story." She wouldn't say more, so as not to spoil the surprise, but the book can be read on-line at meegenius.com, where readers can also vote for her entry.

In the first round of competition, Chottiner's manuscript was chosen by the site's editors to be professionally edited, illustrated and produced. The winning entry, in addition to the e-library donation, earns the author a $1,500 prize and publication of the book in formats for the iPhone, iPad, Android, Google TV and the Web.

Three runners-up will have their books produced and win $500 cash prizes. 

The idea of winning an e-library for Farmington Community School's Early Childhood Program means a lot to Chottiner, because of Victoria's experience. She and her husband, Jeff, adopted their daughter after years of waiting, and Farmington Community School has been with them since they learned of Victoria's impairment. 

As a parent and a professional, Chottiner can't say enough about the help her family has gotten. 

"They're fabulous. Victoria has been going there since she's been six months old," she said. "That's why it would be so special for me to give back to the school that has given us so much."

To vote, you must be signed in to a Facebook account, then visit meegenius.com. Voting closes Feb. 21, and winners will be announced on March 5. 

Correction: Lisa Rose Chottiner's name was incorrectly spelled in the original version of this story.