Happy Valentine's Day

Whether you love or hate Valentine's Day, you can bet your little ones will be all in — with the treats, plushes, and classroom Valentine's Day fun. I remember the scramble to find funny or cute valentines that celebrated FRIENDSHIP, and NOT
pre-k romance! So, this year, we’ve created downloadable and printable Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site valentines, featuring some of your favorite characters, that kids can customize at home and share with friends. (Accompanying candy is, of course, totally optional!)

Head to the link in my bio to get the download and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, too!

Big thanks of course to @agfordart for his amazing illustrations!

The Book Stall is So Wonderful!

Bookstore Appreciation Post!

@the_book_stall in Winnetka, IL was the very first bookstore store to notice Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site— LONG before anyone had ever heard of me, and long before my book was even available at other indie stores or Barnes & Noble.

Robert kindly tells me that he “knew it would be a hit” when he saw the galleys, which might just be the loveliest compliment ever. The store worked with @chroniclekidsbooks to set up my very first school visit (I was both terrified and terrible, btw, but it was my start!)

Our local bookstores are vital for our communities and children--providing fun-filled, nurturing spaces for kids to uncover their passions, unleash their creativity, and experience new places without leaving their home town. I've traveled to so many bookstores through the years, but I can’t think of any shop that is more supportive of me and my work — or any store that I’m more passionate about supporting.

If you haven't visited Book Stall in person (or online!), take a look at what they're sharing this month with a selection from Mike Wysock, the store manager.

“We are dedicated to providing engaging children’s programming both at school author visits and here at the store! We recently celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the “I Am” series with illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos leading a fun drawing demo and scavenger hunt, and we are looking forward to our upcoming author visit with Kathleen Doherty featuring her new picture book, “The Twist-a-Roo,” as part of our long-running Saturday Storytimes. There’s always something fun brewing at The Book Stall!

Special thanks to the team at The Book Stall for the pictures through the years!

Construction Site: You're Just Right

Just when you've managed to rid your house of all those holiday treats, here comes Valentine's Day with a helping of sugar to wind the kids up again! If you're looking for a gift that's just as sweet as candy with no chocolate involved, I'm excited to be able to give away five signed and personalized copies of CONSTRUCTION SITE: YOU'RE JUST RIGHT.

When Valentine's Day arrives at the construction site, every truck finds a special note just for them. Kids can lift the flaps to reveal sweet and silly messages, celebrate the kindness of true friends, and discover who wrote the valentines for the construction site crew.

To enter, follow me at @sherririnker, comment on this post, and tag two friends by 11:59 PM EST on February 1, 2024. US only please!

MY DADDY illustrated by AG Ford

Here's a quick round-up of some of my all time favorite books for kids about Martin Luther King Jr. From learning about his life to gaining a deeper understanding of his mission and its importance, these picture books can help make this important slice of American History come to life.

And a special shout out to my friend and illustrator @agfordart whose work in MY DADDY is nothing short of spectacular. ❤

January Reads

Stepping back into reality after the holiday break isn’t easy—after all, I’ve spent my week baking bread and avoiding my to-do list. The early January doldrums are enough to give anyone the back-to-work and school blues, but if your kids are having a particularly bumpy re-entry, take some time this weekend to pick up a book that’s sure to deliver the laughs. I promise it will lift your January blues, too!

Patience!

I spent most of the Covid shutdown months trying to master great sourdough bread, with a crisp crust and open crumb and just three simple ingredients: flour, salt, water. Many, MANY failures. It wasn’t until I discovered @foodgeek.dk that I mastered it EVERY TIME. Check out his “Sourdough Bread Revised” on YouTube from May. 🥖 💫 Here are my first bâtard shaped loaves.

PS: After I killed my 2020 starter, I bought a family heritage starter on Amazon, of all places. 🤷🏻‍♀️ You can make your own, but I was impatient!

Free Little Library

Fact: every parent struggles with a book purge! It’s so hard to part with the books that hold so many memories of our little ones snuggled up for bedtime, but when the time comes make room on the shelves for those “big kid books” let the kids help with making used book donations to schools, libraries, daycares, head start or a little free library in your neighborhood! Their well worn books can make another child’s day. ❤️

Merry Christmas!

Hello Friends,

It's the most magical and busiest week of the year! Somehow, we made it to the end of 2023, and what a ride it's been! If you've tuned in along the way here, on my website, on my social media, I can't thank you enough for joining me on this adventure. From the launch of Roto and Roy: To The Rescue to the Barnes and Noble exclusive editions of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Construction Site on Christmas Night! and finally, Construction Site: Taking Flight!  landing on the New York Times Best Sellers list, it's been a super busy and rewarding year. There's so much to look forward to in 2024, but for now, I'm wishing you all a relaxing holiday season and a happy and healthy new year, with lots of time to enjoy friends, family, and always, great books!

P.S.
Nothing makes me happier at the holidays than seeing you little ones snuggled up with the books they receive this season, so make sure to share your photos and tag me on Instagram @sherrinker.

See you in 2024 and don't forget to spend some time reading to someone special. 

Love, 

Goes too Fast!

This memory pic popped up for me today: our youngest as an impish little sheep in the church nativity play. 🥹

He turned 18 this year.

Moms of little ones, I know it’s so, so hard. It’s relentless. It’s exhausting.

But, still, try not to blink.

“The days go slowly, but the years speed by.”

So Excited!

I'm so excited that Constuction Site on Christmas Night is back on the New York Times Best Sellers List for it's 40th week! Thank you so much to everyone who has picked up a copy to put under the tree this year--any every year before!

Independent, Small Book Stores

In addition to the joy they bring our communities, independent bookstores bolster local economies, create jobs, and offer a more climate-friendly way to shop without shipping and plastic. If you're as lucky as I am to have a magical store like Harvey's Tales in your neighborhood, you know that an independent bookstore can bring a little bit of magic to your neighborhood, too.

On this Small Business Saturday, make it a point to support a small business and show some love to your local bookstore--and as always, here's to my happy place, @harveystales in Geneva, Il.

Holidays are here!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year--made even MORE wonderful by the reappearance of CONSTRUCTION SITE ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT on this week's New York Times Best Sellers list! Thanks to everyone who purchased the book this week--and remember that books ALWAYS make great gifts.❤️🎁📚