Why elementary-school homework spurred a children's book about Sterling Shepard

Former Oklahoma star Sterling Shepard has caught 124 passes for 1,414 yards with 10 touchdowns for the New York Giants in his first two seasons in the NFL. [AP PHOTO]After their dad died, Ashleigh Shepard started helping her younger brother with his homework.

For the most part, she didn't mind doing it. She liked being able to do something to help her mom, who suddenly found herself as a single parent with three kids under 10, and since Ashleigh was a nurturer by nature, she enjoyed doting on her brother.

Until it was time for reading.

Sterling Shepard loved all kinds of sports, especially football, and when he had a book about those things, he became immersed. Most of the time, though,…