Monique & Alexa Peters
Copyright 2009
Second Edition 2011
ISBN 978-0-9829418-0-5
Hardcover, 27 pages
$12.99
Purchase the book here
For more information and fun stuff for children check out the website.
Check out Cooper and Me on Facebook too!
This is a sweet book which is illustrated by 11-year-old Alexa Peters and co-written with her mother, Monique Peters. Alexa wrote this story after thinking of her own experiences on her first day of school. The story tells about a girl who is nervous while waiting for her first day of school. The girl wants her best friend, Cooper, her Labrador Retriever, to go to school with her. Since that is not possible, her mother helps her get past her fear by providing a replica of Cooper to take to school.
This story deals with fears about starting school, separation anxiety and trying new things. A short but helpful story, Cooper and Me is written by a child, for children. The simple but colorful illustrations add fun to the story. At the end of the story there is a page to record thoughts about the reader’s first day of school. Additionally, the authors have included a few other helpful sections including:
- Life Lesson – Dealing with Separation Anxiety and New Places
- Connections – Ideas for Discussion
- Learning Together – Scripted Discussion Questions
Cooper and Me, Inc. has plans to continually expand their existing lines with stories and resources that address the many issues young children face. The company also is looking forward to expanding their franchise into other technology and entertainment platforms.
A bit about the author's background:
"In 2010, 11-year-old Alexa Peters, along with her mother Monique Peters, found a meaningful way to turn her passion and love for writing and drawing into an opportunity to “give back” to other kids. Starting at a very young age, Alexa created illustrated stories about her daily experiences, and from the pages of her sketchbooks came the idea for her first book, Cooper and Me. The story of a little girl’s fears about starting school evolved into a timeless tale about overcoming separation anxiety and trying new things – basic emotions all people experience throughout their lives – but this time, written by a child, for children. As retold in Cooper and Me, Alexa’s own story had a “happy ending” – a clever, compassionate solution that involved taking a small replica of her beloved pet to school with her. The first book introduced the family’s real-life dog, Cooper the Labrador Retriever, and the mother-daughter team began imagining a series of stories featuring Cooper that would engage little kids while guiding them through the ups and downs of daily life. In addition to the original Cooper and Me, four more story books are set to publish throughout the next twelve months, all containing relatable life lessons inspired by Alexa’s experiences, with illustrations based on her drawings of Cooper."
About the Happy Hearts Fund:
"While on their journey of writing and publishing, Alexa and Monique Peters felt it was important to apply their passion for helping children to a charity that truly made a difference in kids’ lives. Their search for an organization to which they could donate a portion of the proceeds from the original Cooper and Me book led to an alliance with the Happy Hearts Fund, founded and run by Petra Nemcova, the supermodel who was directly affected by the tsunami in Thailand. Happy Hearts improves children’s lives through education and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas. As of July 2011, the Happy Hearts Fund was active in nine countries, has built/rebuilt 50 schools and kindergartens, and has benefited more than 31,000 children and 335, 000 community members. Last year, Alexa and Monique accompanied Petra on a trip to Peru to see the Happy Hearts Fund in action, which they found truly inspiring.
In a related effort to help raise awareness for the Happy Hearts Fund, Bridget Mason Doran, Cooper and Me’s musical director, wrote a song called “One Heart” and recorded it with a group of talented young children. They were brought together because of their passion for music to help spread this important message of hope and giving back. The “One Heart” song is available on iTunes, and a portion of the proceeds from its sale is also being donated to Happy Hearts. Check out the Happy Hearts Fund and ways to donate at www.happyheartsfund.org."
Love this book! Even though we homeschool, I would definitely give this book to a child who is hesitant about starting public school. I just love the story and illustrations. I'm also excited to see a child who is reaching out to other children and on the way to helping out a great cause. It's definitely worth visiting the website too!
A bit about the author's background:
"In 2010, 11-year-old Alexa Peters, along with her mother Monique Peters, found a meaningful way to turn her passion and love for writing and drawing into an opportunity to “give back” to other kids. Starting at a very young age, Alexa created illustrated stories about her daily experiences, and from the pages of her sketchbooks came the idea for her first book, Cooper and Me. The story of a little girl’s fears about starting school evolved into a timeless tale about overcoming separation anxiety and trying new things – basic emotions all people experience throughout their lives – but this time, written by a child, for children. As retold in Cooper and Me, Alexa’s own story had a “happy ending” – a clever, compassionate solution that involved taking a small replica of her beloved pet to school with her. The first book introduced the family’s real-life dog, Cooper the Labrador Retriever, and the mother-daughter team began imagining a series of stories featuring Cooper that would engage little kids while guiding them through the ups and downs of daily life. In addition to the original Cooper and Me, four more story books are set to publish throughout the next twelve months, all containing relatable life lessons inspired by Alexa’s experiences, with illustrations based on her drawings of Cooper."
About the Happy Hearts Fund:
"While on their journey of writing and publishing, Alexa and Monique Peters felt it was important to apply their passion for helping children to a charity that truly made a difference in kids’ lives. Their search for an organization to which they could donate a portion of the proceeds from the original Cooper and Me book led to an alliance with the Happy Hearts Fund, founded and run by Petra Nemcova, the supermodel who was directly affected by the tsunami in Thailand. Happy Hearts improves children’s lives through education and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas. As of July 2011, the Happy Hearts Fund was active in nine countries, has built/rebuilt 50 schools and kindergartens, and has benefited more than 31,000 children and 335, 000 community members. Last year, Alexa and Monique accompanied Petra on a trip to Peru to see the Happy Hearts Fund in action, which they found truly inspiring.
In a related effort to help raise awareness for the Happy Hearts Fund, Bridget Mason Doran, Cooper and Me’s musical director, wrote a song called “One Heart” and recorded it with a group of talented young children. They were brought together because of their passion for music to help spread this important message of hope and giving back. The “One Heart” song is available on iTunes, and a portion of the proceeds from its sale is also being donated to Happy Hearts. Check out the Happy Hearts Fund and ways to donate at www.happyheartsfund.org."
Love this book! Even though we homeschool, I would definitely give this book to a child who is hesitant about starting public school. I just love the story and illustrations. I'm also excited to see a child who is reaching out to other children and on the way to helping out a great cause. It's definitely worth visiting the website too!
It’s a Giveaway – It’s a Giveaway—It’s a Giveaway
I get to give one lucky person a copy of this delightful book. I will be drawing a winner, chosen randomly from all entries, at noon on November 3rd. Here is how you can enter the giveaway.
1. Leave a comment here telling me you’re interested.
2. For another entry, visit http://www.cooperandme.com/ and tell me one thing included on the Fun For Kids section, leaving a comment here after your visit there.
3. For an additional entry follow me on Google Friend Connect and tell me in a comment.
Good luck to all who enter. Blessings!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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