Writer goes from grit to the nursery

James Patterson, writer of bestselling mystery novels, including the Alex Cross series, is tackling a new audience: the preschool set. In November, Little, Brown will publish “SantaKid,” Patterson’s first children’s picture book. Michael Garland is the illustrator.

The tale of Chrissie, Santa Claus’ little girl, was largely written while Patterson watched his young son, Jack, in the playroom of the their Florida home, according to the publisher.