Welcome to my blog! I call it Tell Me a Story because there are two areas in my life that involve story – writing and teaching.
On the writing side, I have my very first picture book, COWHIDE-AND-SEEK, coming out in Spring 2019. It’s about a cow, Bessie, who hears her farmer counting his cows and mistakenly thinks he’s starting a game of hide-and-seek. When I saw the illustrations for the first time, it was like finally meeting an old friend. It’s hard to explain, but I thought, “Yes, there’s Bessie. So nice to see you!” 😊 I will share the book cover here as soon as I can. Jess Pauwels did an amazing job with the illustrations.
On the teaching side, I’m in my second year as a preschool librarian, which means storytime all day long. (Love it!) One piece of advice that writers hear is to read in the genre that you write, so I’ve definitely got that covered. But the preschool job is helpful to my writing in other ways, as well. I’m surrounded by the people I write for, and they are filled with “story,” too. Whether describing a favorite vacation or even something simple like what they did that morning before school, the kids give me a wonderful window into what their lives are like. What makes them laugh? What makes them sad? What is so important that they have to sprint across the playground to tell me?
One of my youngest students called me the “book teacher,” which sounds like the perfect job to me!
Tell me, do you have any favorite picture books? How about the children in your life? What are their favorites and why do you think so?
What a great idea for a blog. I look forward to reading more in the future, Sheri! Congratulations on the book, it sounds adorable!
Thanks, Elaine! (You are my first comment! 🙂
Welcome to the blogosphere, Sheri. I hope you’ll like it here.
You are in the perfect place to see and sense how your picture books meet their intended audience. These live readings are such a fantastic place for feedback.
Thanks for the warm welcome, Mirkabreen! 🙂
I agree that live readings are a great place for feedback. And sometimes the feedback is completely different from what I was expecting!
Love that you’re doing a blog, and I can’t wait for the book. I want to meet Bessie too!
Hi Mary Jo! I’ll be happy to introduce you two! 🙂
Hi Sheri – I saw your link on FB and followed. Congrats on your successes! I miss seeing you at our old critique group at Phipps. – Sandy Fry
Hi Sandy! Thanks for stopping by! I miss our old group, too. Do you still go?
Hi Sheri! Your books sounds adorable. I cannot wait to get it to read to the inner-city kids I work with here in Atlanta, and our students in Kenya. I have learned that, though continents apart, children all love the same books! I am sure yours will be a favorite! I will be following. Best of luck!
Thanks, Debbie! I just checked out the CLC website, and it looks like you all do amazing work! Thanks for following and let’s keep in touch! 🙂
Hooray, Sheri!! Congrats on your new blog!! Can’t wait for Bessie!! <3
Thanks, Maria!! xoxo 🙂
Hi Mr Sheri,
Will look forward to reading your blog and of course your book! The kids love you at school!! Can’t wait for more to come this year!
Thanks, Emily! Let me know if your guy has any favorite books from storytime — I remember he loved SUPERTRUCK last year! 🙂