Hooks native publishes children’s book
Hooks, Texas native Sherica Cheek has published her first children’s book 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. It continues by teaching kids when to wash their hands, and it reinforces the steps so they will have clean hands.
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,” Cheek 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.”
Cheek is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, author and Information Security professional originally from Hooks. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis. She continued her studies and graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Master’s in Liberal Arts.
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. In addition, she was featured in an Ebony magazine February 2007 article about 30 leaders under 30.
Cheek 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.”
There will be a virtual book launch event with a Q&A session at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 3, on the Microsoft TEAMS application.
“I am excited about how kids and families respond to the book,” Cheek said. “I believe this book will be a good addition and resource to parents, preschools, and elementary schools regarding good hygiene.”
(Downloading Microsoft TEAMS from app store is free at teams.live.com/ meet/93576185563145. The book is also available online at Amazon.com/WashHands-Sherica-StarlingCheek/dp/1735988103.)