A Stonewall teacher is earning national attention for her work outside the classroom. Randi Paton, an educator at École R.W. Bobby Bend School, is now a published author — and her debut children’s book has already climbed to No. 1 in new releases on Amazon.
Paton’s book, Donut You Dare (Say That Out Loud), launched this fall and tells the story of a Little Donut navigating big feelings, sticky situations and the challenge of deciding which thoughts should stay inside his “little frosted head.” With wordplay, warmth and humour, the story encourages young readers to pause, think and communicate with kindness.
The idea, Paton said, grew directly from home and classroom life.
“This book was inspired by my three-year-old daughter, whose unfiltered honesty often appears at the most unexpected moments,” she said. “It was also shaped by my experiences with my students, who — like many children (and adults) — sometimes need gentle reminders about choosing the right words for the right situations.”
Paton began drafting the story about nine months ago, balancing the work between teaching and parenting. She ultimately chose to illustrate the book herself.
“I spent many evenings drawing after my daughter went to bed,” she said. “Later, I decided to publish the finished work through Amazon.”
Seeing the book reach No. 1 in new releases was a moment she didn’t anticipate.
“It has been incredibly rewarding,” Paton said. “The honour came as a wonderful surprise, and I am truly grateful for the enthusiasm readers have shown — after so much hard work, seeing it all come to fruition has been so sweet.”
Intended for readers ages four to eight, the book uses humour to help children understand which thoughts are appropriate to share and which are best kept to themselves. Paton hopes families see it as both a teaching tool and a fun read-aloud.
Although she illustrated most of the book, Paton said she didn’t work alone. Her best friend provided guidance and helped illustrate several images, her brother assisted with the interior layout, and colleagues at Bobby Bend offered steady encouragement.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive network,” she said. “Samantha Evans, who is a published author herself, and Sandra Millar, whose unmatched knowledge of picture books was just the icing on the cake — or donut.”
Inside the school, the reaction has been just as enthusiastic.
“My colleagues and students have been incredible,” Paton said. “They love the book and it has even inspired some of my students to make their own books. They ask me to read it regularly, and they casually drop lines from the story throughout the day. It’s become a fun bonding experience and a class ‘insider joke.’”
Paton hopes this is only the beginning. She already has other story ideas drafted in her journal.
“I would absolutely love to write more books,” she said. “Donut You Dare is the first in a series that currently lives in my journal — and in my head — but I’m excited to see how this one does and how much time I’ll have to keep creating. Getting to bring this book to life truly feels like a dream come true.”
Copies of Donut You Dare (Say That Out Loud) are available on Amazon.
For Paton, one moment stands out above all others: reading the finished book to her daughter for the first time.
“When I finished, she immediately asked me to read it again,” she said. “In that moment, I knew every bit of hard work had been worth it. It was truly the sweetest feeling — the kind that makes you think, ‘Donut give up.’”
