Cooper’s Lesson
Written by Sun Yung Shin
Illustrated by Kim Cogan
Published by Children's Book Press
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. Grandmother Park always said, “Such white skin!” and Grandmother Daly always said, “What brown skin!” One cousin always teased him about being “half and half.”
Cooper has had about enough of being half and half. And he’s certainly had enough of Mr. Lee, the owner of his neighborhood grocery store, speaking to him in Korean even though Cooper can’t keep up. Why can’t things be simple? Why can’t he just be one thing or the other?
One moment in Mr. Lee’s store changes everything for Cooper. Before long he realizes that the question of who we are is never simple-whether you talk about it in English or Korean. Kim Cogan’s richly hued oil paintings perfectly complement this story of identity and intergenerational friendship, and author Sun Yung Shin brings her characters to life with tender, vivid prose.
Primary ISBN: 9780892391936
Publication Date: April 2015
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Picture Book, Age 06 or older
Community Represented: Korean/Korean American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Discrimination: Microaggression, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences, Generational Differences: Language, Identity: Body Image, Identity: Exploration, Identity: Multilingual, Identity: Multiracial, Multilingual: Korean/English Bilingual, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Source: Lee & Low Books