Sherri

Duskey Rinker

Bestselling Picture Book Author

#1 NYT Bestseller

Travels from: Chicago, IL

“Sherri was such a wonder yesterday—her presentations to the community were delightful!” — Omaha Family Literacy Partnership, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Sherri Duskey Rinker is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Steam Train, Dream Train and the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series (eight picture books and counting!). She is also the author of young middle novel Revver the Speedway Squirrel and its sequel, a brand new picture book series that kicks off with Roto and Roy: Helicopter Heroes, and nonfiction picture book biography Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton, which received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. Burton and her work directly influenced Sherri’s foray into the world of children’s literature.

Sherri lives in the Midwest with her husband, two sons, and one fluffy dog. She loves to read, collect antique oil paintings, cook, garden, and travel. Inspired by her sons, her 25-year career as a graphic designer, and her own childhood memories, Sherri writes from a place of love. She hopes to encourage young readers and make the world a happier place, one book at a time.

Sherri's Featured Titles

Preschools

Presentations for preschools are modified, and typically don’t utilize A/V. Short introduction, how Sherri became an author, a reading with a little help from the audience and perhpas a little Q&A. These are short, lively presentations, allowing for unpredictable questions and comments and the occasional need to work out the wiggles!

Grades K-4

Presentation length varies from 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your schedule needs, the time allotted for interaction and Q&A, and on the attention span (i.e. age) and size of the group.

Grades 5-8

Sherri has a specific a/v presentation geared to this audience.

Adult Audiences

Sherri often presents to groups of teachers, librarians and literary enthusiasts.

Writing Workshops

Sherri loves working with teachers and LRC directors to customize writing workshops to particular themes or strategies, in keeping with the students’ current curriculum. She’s also happy to lead the way! Some of her workshop topics have included:
• When you’re blocked for an idea: Character, Setting, Plot — a fun game to mix it up!
• Grades 5 and up: Rhyming workshops: Breaking down rhyme into simple syllable patterns.
• Grades 6 and up: Creative writing SENSE-ability. We start with VISUAL by employing color imagery to help us approach writing from different perspectives — and then touch on how we can employ the other senses to make writing more interesting.

Finding an idea

I walk through the genesis of my first book, Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, and talk about how the concept was inspired by my tireless (literally!) truck loving son, and how some of my other book concepts evolved. Then let’s brainstorm all of the places where new ideas might be found!

Practice Makes Perfect (revising!)

It’s often easy for students to understand the importance of practice in their sport, dance. foreign language and music instruction, but they don’t often make the connection between the need for practice in those activities and the need for that kind of work in WRITING. I aim to solidify that connection by sharing my own experience with revising (aka: PRACTICE!) and giving examples of how “practice makes BETTER” in every skill.

It's OK to be weird! (from a mouse that can't sleep to a squirrel that drives)

A design professor once told me, “if you’re not a little bit afraid of the idea, it’s too safe. It’s been done before.” Pushing the creative envelope can be, well, scary. SO, let’s talk about all of the “weird ideas” that have become beloved books — and let’s brainstorm some out-of-the-ordinary ideas of our own!

The Worst That Can Happen... Is Nothing. (conquering your fear of being creative)

For adolescent and adult audiences
If I had a dime for every person that walked up to me after I spoke at a conference and said, “So, I’ve had this idea for several years…” — well, I’d have a LOT of dimes! If you took a courageous leap, if you put your idea out into the world, the worst that could happen is… nothing! (Which is exactly what will happen if your idea stays in that drawer!)

What I Wish I Knew For adults/perspective authors

My first two books were #1 bestsellers. So, I was on easy-street, right? Wrong. The problem with being instantly thrown into an industry about which I knew nothing was: I knew nothing! I made a dozen mistakes for every one smart decision. I’d love to keep you from making the same mistakes, and offer some words of wisdom and encouragement for your publication journey.

“Sherri gave a fantastic presentation that provided a personal look at how she was inspired to write her books and her unique creative process. Our audience was especially interested her experience in publishing children’s literature and her responses during the Q&A were full of information and fascinating insight into her experiences. I was especially touched that Sherri took the time to cover her family’s connection to West Virginia during her talk. Hearing about her childhood memories and her father’s love for the state made it even more special.” — West Virginia Book Festival, 2023

“Sherri was fabulous! Both principals raved about her presentations, and from the looks on the kids’ faces, they were simply enthralled with her story! Her presentation was a cut above what we typically get in Gloucester, and it was a real treat to have her here.” — Gloucester Education Foundation

“Today Sherri Duskey Rinker spoke to our kindergarten, first, and second grades. It was a well-planned presentation that kept the students engaged. I really appreciated her enthusiasm and encouragement to read and love books. The teachers commented that it was an excellent presentation, very appropriate for the students. I highly recommend her!” — Elm School

“Sherri was such a wonder yesterday—her presentations to the community were delightful! Families loved her books! I wish you could have seen her reading her book while families huddled around their copies in the audience. I am proud that we selected Sherri to visit us for the Week of the Young Child Kickoff event yesterday and appreciate the College of Education’s support of the project!” — Omaha Family Literacy Partnership, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Get signed copies of Sherri’s Books!

Sherri’s Prep Sheet for School Visits

Sherri’s Blog

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Sherri Duskey Rinker has received a variety of accolades for her 30+ books for children. Multiple titles have been #1 NYT and IndieBound bestsellers. School Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus have graciously bestowed starred reviews. She’s been honored with a ‘NYT Notable Children’s Book’ designation, CCBC and Texas Library Association Selections, and ALA Notable and E.B. White Read-Aloud nominations. She has an American Farm Bureau recommended title, a PAL Award, and the New York Times, Amazon, and the San Francisco Chronicle have recognized her titles in their annual “Best Books” lists.

#1 NYT Bestseller
IndieBound Bestseller
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
ALA Notable Children’s Book Nominee
School Library Journal Starred Review
Booklist Starred Review
Kirkus Starred Review
New York Times Notable Children’s Book
Top 10 Best Picture Books of 2011: New York Times, Amazon, San Francisco Chronicle
Editor’s Choice Award
Texas Library Association 2×2 Reading List
E.B. White Read-Aloud Award Nominee
PAL Award

Media clips

The Children’s Book Review | Speed Interview with Sherri Duskey Rinker, Author of Revver the Speedway Squirrel

Publishers Weekly | Four Questions for Sherri Duskey Rinker

All the Wonders Podcast | Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld: Episode 327

Romper | “10 Books Young Readers Will Love *Digging* Into”

Publishers Weekly | “Rinker and Lichtenheld Build on ‘Construction Site’ Success”

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.