Hooks, Texas, native Sherica Cheek has published her first children's book. It is titled, "Wash Your Hands with Me!"
With 21 illustrated double-pages, the book engages kids ages 2-7 with a step-by-step guide to washing their hands in a rhythmic and entertaining way.
Sherica said the book promotes good hygiene, motor skills, cognitive development, speaking skills and first words.
"One of the motivations to expedite writing this book was the COVID-19 pandemic," Sherica said. "However, washing your hands is an important skill that needs to be taught to kids at a young age. As a parent of preschool age kids, I wanted to create a book that was engaging, repeatable and easy for kids to master."
Sherica is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, author and information security professional. She graduated from the University of Arkansas. Then she earned a Master's in Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University.
She was selected as an "Emerging Leader" for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 2006 Annual Legislative Conference representing Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson 30th District in Dallas and was featured in an Ebony magazine February 2007 article about 30 leaders under 30. Sherica said her book is inspired by her two children, husband and personal life experiences.
"Throughout my life, I have enjoyed reading books and writing short stories," she said. "I believe my love for storytelling goes back to when I represented Hooks in UIL Prose and Poetry competitions. Oral interpretation and creative writing go hand-in-hand. I can assure you that being from Northeast Texas and being raised by my family and the local community, these values were embedded in me at a young age. I have continued to instill these values and skills within my children."
Sherica said she is excited about how kids and families respond to the book.
"I believe this book will be a good addition and resource to parents, preschools and elementary schools regarding good hygiene," she said.
(The book is available online at Amazon.com/Wash-Hands-Sherica-Starling-Cheek/dp/1735988103.)