Cooper's Lesson

by Sun Yung Shin

A tender look at a biracial child's frustration, anger, and, finally, acceptance about being "half and half."Cooper caught his reflection in the window. Brown hair, fair skin, and some freckles.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892391936
• ISBN13: 9780892391936
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Children's Book Press (CA)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.0" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Great for adoptive parents of Asian children

Although Cooper is hapa (Asian/White) and is not adopted, the author and illustrator are both Korean adoptees (from the book jacket). Cooper's ethnicity/language struggles also apply to the struggles of adoptees who live in both worlds, of home & new country/culture/family/language. Spread the word about this book to adoptive parents who are looking for a story that shows an Asian American child discovering how complex becoming American can be.

Finally--a book to give the kids I know!

Sun Yung Shin and Kim Cogan have answered a need for children's literature that portrays hapa children. I was so pleased to give this book to my nephews, and to keep another copy in my piano studio to share with all the kids I know whose real-life experiences resonate with Cooper's. Shin portrays Cooper as an emotionally complex boy who takes responsibility for his own actions. Shin treats all the characters with dignity and grace--and the prose is lovely. This would be a welcome addition to any children's library -- and it would also be great reading for adults who are interested in how our multicultural world affects children. A wonderful first book by Shin--please write more!

A highly commended story of identity and self-discovery

Sun Yung Shin's Cooper's Lesson is a bilingual picture book, written in both English and Korean, telling the story of a young boy who is frustrated over being "half and half." Yet speaking with Mr. Lee, the owner of the neighborhood grocery store, he comes to learn that the nature of a person is not a simply defined, either-or prospect. Kim Cogan's full-color illustrations provide a strong overtone of realism to deftly complement this sometimes complex and highly commended story of identity and self-discovery.

Good book--overall would recommend

Cooper's Lesson is about a young boy who is embarrassed by his half-Korean, half-Caucasian identity. His mother insists he speak Korean even though he feels like everyone is making fun of him. He dreads encounters with Mr. Lee, a grocery store owner. One day, in his haste to leave, Cooper forgets to pay for a brush. Accused of shoplifting, he has to spend days in Mr. Lee's shop. Cooper learns through spending time with Mr. Lee to appreciate his multi-cultural identity.Overall, this book deals with sensitive biracial issues in a way for children to understand. It seems like this is the first book of its kind and I can't seem to find anything bad about it. The drawings are very good and capture the characters emotions. The korean and english text makes it a very good learning tool for children.