The Writer
Stories with rhythm for kids who listen — and colour for kids who see
A Simple Belief
Every child deserves to enjoy a story fully — whether they can see the pictures or not.
Many picture books depend on illustrations. For visually-impaired children, that can leave gaps. I write to close those gaps with words, creating inclusive and accessible stories for visually-impaired children.
A picture paints a thousand words for those who can see. For visually-impaired readers, a few more words paint a thousand pictures.
How the Stories Are Told
I write inclusive children’s picture books using rich, precise language so children can imagine the story and follow it with ease.
My books are designed for both sighted and visually-impaired children — one experiences the story through pictures and words, the other through words alone. This approach supports accessible storytelling for children of all abilities.
Some stories become Story-Oke, a guided read-along experience that blends narration, music, and on-screen text. With its gentle rhythm, children can listen, join in, and retell the story.
For visually-impaired children, Story-Oke is adult-led, with rhythm and sound guiding the experience. For sighted children, it adds a new dimension to reading and early literacy.
These stories come to life through my collaboration with my husband, Rush Atima, who composes and produces the music behind each Story-Oke experience.
About Sherri Eri
Sherri Eri (Sherriza Hareani Jalil) is a Singapore children’s author and founder of Picture the Book.
She creates inclusive picture books, children’s audiobooks, and storytelling experiences for children aged 3–8, available in print, ebook, audiobook, and video formats.
Her work focuses on books for visually-impaired children while remaining engaging and enjoyable for sighted readers, allowing both to share the same storytelling experience.
She holds a BA and MA in English Language from the National University of Singapore.
Beyond the Page
Sherri brings her stories to life through storytelling sessions in Singapore, where Story-Oke turns reading into a shared, interactive experience.
Children listen, take part, and discover new words through voice, rhythm, and sound.
She has conducted sessions with the National Library Board and 95 K2 children from four Kidz Meadow centres.
She has also spoken to about 450 Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) students at Ngee Ann Polytechnic on writing inclusive and accessible picture books for children.
In other words, my books aren’t just about text on a page. They’re about giving children a full experience—candy-colored illustrations for sighted kids, rhythmic text for read-aloud fun, and music that makes stories come alive.
Join me and my stories.
I’m just getting started, but my collection of books is growing, with tales and adventures waiting for your little ones.
Check out my catalog and find your next favorite story!
Hear the story behind
Picture the Book —
straight from me, Sherri Eri.