Children's Western
Date Published: 02-26-2026
Publisher: Solander Press
A.J. is so excited about his new cowboy boots. He wears them on the
first day of the school year. Mom said it was for only one day and then back
to his regular boots or sneakers. During recess, A.J. plays in an exciting
game of kickball. His boots get very messy during the game.
When he gets home, Jon, the farm hand, see the boots and tells him to clean
them up then get into his work boots. Jon tells him to give Lady Star a ride
because she’s waited all day for him.
On the ride, A.J. heads to the shallow pond out in one field. While A.J.
daydreams, Lady Star sees the pond and decides to get there fast. A.J. loses
control of Lady Star and finds himself thrown into the pond. Daydreaming on
the ride means A.J. has additional chores when he returns to the barn.
In this second book, Sherry Roberts continues to tell stories inspired
by her father’s childhood during the 1930s and 1940s in Northeast
Oklahoma. For those who enjoy stores of the American West, as well as history,
Just Look At Those Boots, is a must-read.
Interview
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
As someone who is a pantser (someone who writes without an outline), sometimes I get lost in the story and can’t figure out the ending. It will come to me but sometimes that means several edits to get there. Eventually it will end but might take longer than if I had the entire story planned out first Like a plotter.
What are your most played songs?
I don’t play music when I write. I have a tendency to sing to the music and forget what I’m doing. I actually write most of my work to reruns of the television show Golden Girls. The rhythm of their banter provides just what I need to focus on my writing.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
I have multiple friends who I know will be honest in their assessment of my writing. I have also had many different critique groups when I was first beginning. They were very helpful. Now I rely on my small group of friends to critique, suggest, help me to focus a story.
What book are you reading now?
I am a rom-com reader or cozy romance reader. I read a variety of authors in that genre. I can’t name them all because I will be honest, I read about two-three books a week. It is how I get to sleep or relax. Sometimes it is how I clear my head when I am having writer’s block or stuck on a story.
How did you start your writing career?
I started my writing career as an academic writer. I wrote journal articles for my job and then began writing textbooks. I have three with one in its fourth edition.
A few years ago, I wanted to try my hand at writing down some of the children’s stories that were in my head. I loved to read and make-up stories with my nephew and nieces. They are grown now but I wanted to continue to share the stories.
Tell us about your next release.
My newest release is the next book in the “Just” series. It is called Just Look at Those Boots. Each book in this series is written as a standalone, which means each book may be read in any order the reader wishes.
Each book is inspired by tales my father has shared of growing up in Northeast Oklahoma during the 1930-40s. This particular story has a tale of the main character, A.J.’s first day of third grade and the school bully. Also, there is what happens after school when he gets home. There his chores await and so does his horse, Lady Star, who would like to go for ride. A.J. has trouble with daydreaming and it often gets him in trouble. Today is no different.
The main character, A.J., is actually my father’s initial backward. The farmhand’s name, John, is actually the name of the farmhand my father grew up with on their farm. A.J.’s grandpa’s name, Allie, is actually my grandpa’s name (my father’s father). So, each story has little “nuggets” that are very much true. This particular story has a truth in what happened with A.J. and Lady Star. You’ll have to read the story to find out.
About the Author
Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. She holds a
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisville. She has
written multiple award-winning fiction picture books such as ‘Twas the
Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus, Hello, Can I Bug You?, Gabriel
and the Special Memorial Day, What’s Wrong with Barnaby, and The Best
Reading Buddy. She also has written two non-fiction award-winning picture
books, Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s in Your Bonnet? and A Visit Through the
Wetlands. These two were illustrated with her photography. Sherry’s
newest picture book, Amica Helps Zoe, was featured in Kirkus e-newsletter June
2025 as Indie Pick and received a Get It: Recommend review.
As a former middle school teacher, Dr. Roberts decided to write her first
middle-grade novel (ages 8-13). Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe,
is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on
February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr.
Pruitt, was released August 2024. Book three, The Galaxy According to Cece:
The Stars Align, released February 2025.
Sherry’s next venture is a chapter book series (ages 6-8). The first
book, Just Call Me Pardner, was released August 1, 2025. The series is about a
young boy in the 1930s on a small farm in Northeastern Oklahoma and is
inspired by stories of her father’s childhood in the 1930s. Book 2, Just
Look at Those Boots, launches in early 2026, with Book 3, Just Don’t
Give a Girl a Frog, launching in November 2026.
Dr. Roberts has also written many articles that appear in various academic
journals, along with three textbooks. Personal Financial Literacy is in its
fourth edition (Pearson). She is an associate professor of Marketing in Jones
College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.
Contact Links
Website
Facebook
Purchase Links
https://mybook.to/JustLookatThoseBoots
Amazon
Posts
No comments: